A Shy Man in the Company of Strangers

I often refer to myself as one not comfortable being in the spot light. Many who know me would tell you that I am quite out spoken. That when I speak, I have very passionate and strong held beliefs. So it might come as a surprise to those who have this view of me, that it is not natural or come easy for me to speak out. Put another way speak in public.

The reason I have written on this subject on my blog is that this is really true when it comes to my Christian voice.

It was 5 years ago when my Pastor came and asks me to read scripture during our church services. On the Sundays that I was to read I would go to the church on the Monday before I was to read and request the portion of scripture I would be reading. I would spend the week readings the scriptures. I would wait till my family went to bed, and read out loud the verses. By Sunday I was ready to stand in church.

From the first time I read the scriptures in church, members of my church would come up and tell me how they liked it when I read because the could understand the verses better when I read. I was told that I spoke slow and clear.

I don’t think I ever told anyone other than my pastor that I was scared to death even after two years of doing the readings. My wife would see me ring my hands just before I would read. She ask me one day why I did that, I had to tell her that when I get nervous the palms of my hands would be wet  it was my futile attempt at trying to dry them.

There is one attribute of being A Shy Man in the Company of Strangers that I do think can be good. Cautious thinking, when used properly can keep you from speaking first then thinking later.

My public face as I call it has served me well in most areas of my life. When around people I know I seem some what normal. My life has changed now and I know I must use my voice to serve my God. To do this I must change a bit. It is hard to share the word of God and be A Shy Man in the Company of Strangers.