Unexpected Silence
The Motives of Words
“Things that are Real” unsigned acrylic on tile by Myra Alibrando
Overcoming Shyness
No one who personally knows me would call me shy. Still, my whole life I have often tried to step over my shyness to do things. I now like sometimes uplifting my own environment of people smiling - if possible.
After all these years I think this hidden shyness is very common. We fear rejection, looking dumb, looking out of step with the group, or just doing poorly.
The Star vs the Provider
When we see a guy who is always talking about himself, bragging and never letting anyone get a word in, we definitely do not want to be that guy. Most people in the room feel the same way, but he (or she) thinks everyone is highly entertained. Maybe they are. But when someone wants to break the ice, or help someone feel welcome, or argue what they feel is a misleading point, that is a completely different motive. When we speak for the benefit of others, that is a good heart. If we make jokes to cheer others, that is different than wanting to be the center of attention.
If we speak because we think no one is as smart as we are, that could get old for listeners. But, if we speak to genuinely empower others to have greater confidence, or go in a better direction, that heart is feeding others.
Unexpected Shyness
Since I have returned from the USA last December to the Philippines, my weekly devotional offering has been decisively less consistent. It isn't extra busyness that causes this, but a mindset. I actually have 14 drafts I chose NOT to publish. I felt the quality was not good enough or that my point was not well-made. Even my wife Myra, whose paintings often accompany my articles here, has hardly painted in 2025, so far.
Imagine meeting with a friend at a restaurant and not speaking because you felt your presentation was too amateur. First of all, that is weird. Secondly, why would you be so serious about impressing a friend? and lastly; what a waste for your friend who enjoys your friendship only to feel rejected because you were too preoccupied with impressing them.
It is before God that my silence does good, so I can hear Him. Other than intercession, requests, thanks, and praise, what can I offer God with my words?
“ . . . a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:7b
Maybe This, Maybe That
Maybe it really is something else. I also noticed since starting the devotional that was based on the idea of "publishing my journal" that I have been journaling much, much less. Knowing I will share what I am writing completely changes my motivation than when I am writing to God, or me, or processing my own thinking through writing. I have to promise myself privacy to get the therapy so frequent in my journaling.
Don’t get me wrong, writing for others has its own, but different therapy.
Hey, maybe I am turning a corner, but no matter what, what I consider insignificant or not profound may still be beneficial to someone reading. We can all agree, my silence is not doing anything special for anyone, in the form of an absent devotional.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits" Proverbs 17:28
Brand or Seasons
My “brand” is what? Scripture. Nature. Creationism. Meditation. Courage. Graceful aging? We humans do not live in a category but live simultaneously across many realms: philosphy, insecurity, confidence, happiness, sadness, brainy, emotional, political, traditional, and a list longer than in Ecclesiastes about a season for everything.
A Simple Choice, A Simple Step
I'm trying to break the ice and fight back on what is fast becoming a habit. Maybe my writing standards will be lower. Sure, I prefer to be more like C.S. Lewis than a zealous Christian who repeats himself and presumes things are understood that have not been explained.
In Psalm 90, the only Psalm written by Moses, he says
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12
Our number of opportunities to be a blessing is a finite, exact number. A smile. Patience in traffic. Forgiveness. A kind word. A favor. Sharing.
I hope this finds you well.
Well, I am not that great at this platform so I am leaving a comment here and not a message. I want to tell you how much I appreciated the writing you did on Unexpected Silence, because it is so honest and mirrored so many feelings I have about writing to share God's truth in words. I think you are right about being silent and asking God to fill the writing by His Holy Spirit.......sometimes we can feel so empowered and enlightened and empowered to share and other times weak and powerless. We have seasons but in each season God shows up. Sometimes we have to just seek Him much more and sometimes we have to understand we have to rest and He is with us and be silent. Maybe the blessing in those times is simplicity of expression and prayer........keep on keeping on. We can always praise and thank God and the Bible says " God lives in the praises of His people," Maybe it is just that we are putting on the glasses that help us really see God as He is when we praise Him. Our minds are handicapped but God's spirit within us is infinite in power and might and He magnifies our understanding so we can walk with Him and trust in Him. We are getting older but only God knows what that means for our productivity. If we are sick it hits us harder as we get older. Sickness impacts mood and energy and productivity so we must be patient with out abilities but I was thinking about Elijah and how God used Him MIGHTILY in old age.......so let's not sell ourselves short........God hears our prayers. God Bless. Please tell your wife I love her paintings too!!! God Bless you and yours and truth be told I remember you for your outspokeness.........It is a gift from God. Shyness can be about humility but we dare not sell ourselves short. God uses the simplest of words. Words create and words destroy..........We have the words of Jesus which are eternal life...from God Himself. Please pray for my son as he rejects God.