A Word for the Shy

Our family was enjoying vacation, and as usual, I was more comfortable reading in our room than visiting with the other vacationers. Yet, two weeks was long enough to get acquainted with our neighbors--if only I weren't so shy!

Surely God has a verse that will help me to be more friendly, I thought. Opening my Bible to Proverbs, I decided to write down every verse that mentioned tongue, lips, or words. 

I knew I had found my verse when I read 10:32: "The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable." No longer would my excuse be, "I won't know what to say." I would know what words would be appropriate!

With new confidence, I greeted the next vacationers carrying suitcases past our door. Within the hour, the wife returned for a long get-acquainted visit. Our days together were the beginning of a warm friendship. 

One day when I accompanied my husband on an out-of-town business trip, I wondered how I was going to make conversation with the woman sitting beside me at lunch. I thought of Christ's love for her and decided to try to use our time together as an opportunity to help her sense His love. As I concentrated on loving her with the love of Christ, questions came easily. Within minutes she was sharing her difficulties in finding friends in her new neighborhood and her unhappiness with her job. We parted that day as friends.

Dear Jesus, teach me to allow You to love others through me.

"A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction" (Proverbs 16:23)."Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone" (Colossians 4:6 NLT).