when i first saw him from a distance my heart sank. talking to people i didn't see very much was always nerve wracking for me. so the internal pow-wow began.
just say hey
you could just jog past
you should ask if he's been hunting lately
i was on my daily walk\jog and he was fixing the fence separating our properties. i circled on the wooded path twice before finally heading his direction, convincing myself to say more than just a few words.
he looked up as i approached. deep breath. clear throat. i tugged out my headphones and we exchanged greetings. i had thought up several questions to ask beforehand. i had one picked out to get the conversation moving but he surprisingly beat me to it.
"warm day isn't it?"
we exchanged small talk about the weather. i expressed my appreciation of him mending the barbwire fence and offered my help. he declined but solemnly said he had something he wanted me to tell momma and daddy. his father-in-law was in the ICU, had been for a week. he didn't have much longer and requested our prayers.
my heart dropped. what if i hadn't mustered up the courage to stop and talk? it would have been much more comfortable for me to have passed with a quick "hey." here was my neighbor who had a burden on his heart and i almost missed the opportunity to help just a little bit in lightening his load by listening...just because i was shy and didn't have boldness for a conversation. what if i had missed that?
i asked if there was anything my family could do. a meal. something. he said he'd keep us updated.
my heart was burdened but my steps were light as i walked away. burdened because i wanted to help, light because God had shown me that sometimes a quiet person needs to step up and be used for Him, no matter how far it takes me out of my comfort zone. i thought of other conversations missed when i hadn't said anything, what were those people going through that i had passed up because of my shyness? i hoped all future occasions would turn out just as this one.
because you just never know what others are going through.
i asked if there was anything my family could do. a meal. something. he said he'd keep us updated.
my heart was burdened but my steps were light as i walked away. burdened because i wanted to help, light because God had shown me that sometimes a quiet person needs to step up and be used for Him, no matter how far it takes me out of my comfort zone. i thought of other conversations missed when i hadn't said anything, what were those people going through that i had passed up because of my shyness? i hoped all future occasions would turn out just as this one.
because you just never know what others are going through.
giveaways
why girls are weird
casey leigh
much love, illy
22 comments:
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I have often let my shyness get in the way too... thanks for the encouragement today! :)
i loved this because it's such a good reminder that people are always carrying a burden and just being there to talk or help can always help :)
awh this is realllyy well written! <3 this is sooooo great.
ah, you make such a good point memory! i definitely feel the same way that you do about conversations some times, i'm not very good at them so i avoid them, but that means i might be missing out on something God intended me to hear/do. I'd never really thought of it that way!
<3 ka-chow
This is beautiful, Memory. I'm so glad you stopped to talk too.
I know exactly what you are talking about. We need to get out of our comfort zone and realize that people appreciate a connection. Good for you for following your instincts, they usually lead us in the right direction.
I know exactly how you feel talking to someone you don't see very often. My Bff comes to where I live every year to visit her family. We are friends and every year I wonder if we will still hit it off or if both of us has changed.
Good job for following God's direction to talk to that man.
~Godsgirlz1~
You are so right, beautiful post Memory! Awwww what a sweet conversation, God really used YOU, thank you for sharing with all of us!
Beautifully written you!!!
a smile and a kind word goes a very long way.
amen to this! and i'm really quite shy. thanks for the encouragement to speak!
Such a good reminder. Such a good story. Thanks for your refreshing words!
Memory, what a great example of obeying the scripture of loving our neighbor as ourselves. I am going to remember this and start reaching out more to others who may be in pain. Thank you for sharing.
Love you,
Nana
So, you have a cute neighbor, huh!? Lol. Just kidding! Kinda of. This I'm absolutely not kidding about: Quiet people are intriguing. I guess that means YOU are intriguing. Yes ma'am. Sure enough.
Good for you! There are so many opportunities we have to do something, even if it's prayer if we only seize them.
that was a really sweet gesture. It's amazing how God always put people along our path for a reason. I believe the Lord would use you to bless him and his family. And thanks for reminding me to be sensitive to the Lord's prompting.
mongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com
This is a beautiful! If only more of us were like you!
Your writing style is very lovely. I guess you never know what is on in other people's live, and when you do it can be a blessing.. :)
x
Marielle
You are SO right! What a perfect reminder.
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing this experience with us. It truly reminds us how we need to be aware of the little promptings God gives us to help others!
I love this. Just a simple conversation can mean so much and really doesn't take much time. It's amazing how God works through us.
What a great reminder.
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