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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: MIX (10/22/15)
Many a church leader confessed to me that they were once shy by nature. Indeed, I felt vindicated because when I tell someone that I am a shy person, they will inevitably react in disbelief or burst into laughter. Honestly speaking, I am a rather private person. Given the choice, I would prefer to keep to myself, instead of mixing with others. But, over the years, I have changed and become more sociable than I used to be.

Going to the Youth Meeting of a church made a difference in my life. I realised that I started to open up myself to others as I took part in activities like singing, ice-breakers, skits, and song-leading sometimes. Certainly, I had been transported to a universe which is completely novel to me.

Another favourite activity was visiting classmates different ethnic backgrounds - I learned about their cultures and sampled their traditional meals too. It just prepares me well to cope with people from diverse backgrounds. My new boldness was an added bonus for me when I studied overseas later. Confident and uninhibited, I interacted well with my classmates who were local and international students.

After my baptism, I remember being encouraged to give a word from the Bible during the Lord's Supper if led by the Spirit. Initially, I observed others, then I plugged up the courage to share my thoughts. Being a novice, I jotted down my meditation and familiarized with it before sharing at the worship. Soon I got the hang of it, and could sometimes spoke extemporaneously.

To get to know new comers to the church better, I make it a point of befriending them. During the talks, I respond readily to the Question and Answer sessions by raising questions and seeking clarifications. I find myself a risk taker, having the skin of a hippopotamus.

In retrospect, I am indebted to my faith which started in my late teens and it has gradually transformed me in several ways, especially my willingness to mingle with others with cheerful readiness.
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This article has been read 643 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Donna Powers
10/29/15
Thank you for sharing your story. I can see the Lord has blessed you and developed traits in you which are sure to be an asset in your work for Him
Larry Whittington
10/30/15
A good self-revealing article. I liked it.

In this sentence: "I realized that I started to open up myself to others as I took part in activities like singing, ice-breakers, skits, and song-leading sometimes." does the word "sometimes" describe "song-leading"? It seems awkward coming after it.


I am wondering if in this sentence: "Certainly, I had been transported to a universe which is completely novel to me." would have the save effect if the word "was" was substituted for the word "is"?

I like the transformation you protrayed.
Pat Small
10/30/15
It seemed to me that you changed tenses, and needed a lot of proofreading and editing. However, it was a good article to make one think about how God brings us along if we allow Him to.
Bonnie Bowden 
10/31/15
I think God gives courage to the timid.
Chris Goglin
11/02/15
Thank you for your submission!

To give a little more dimension, you may want to add more detail or dialogue. In Paragraph two: what particular song or activity encouraged you the most? In paragraph five: emphasize a certain question or answer that changed you.

Need to go over some tense changes ...having a friend read it back to you always helps!

I enjoyed your topic and how God can make a person "bloom" into a confident, less timid person.