ABOUT: THE AUTHOR
THE QUIET GIRL HAS SOMETHING TO SAY
I have always been an introvert by nature. As a child, I was timid and shy. As I have gotten older, I am not so much shy as I am observant. I am a thinker. Speaking to groups of people has never been my strong suit. However, writing has always come naturally to me. English was my favorite subject in school. I have been an avid reader from the time I picked up a book. From a young age, I remember saying that I wanted to be an author.
Once, in elementary school, I had a friend at my house for a sleepover. My idea of “playing” was that we would write a song together. Meanwhile, my friend was not interested in writing. She was very athletic and had asked to play basketball instead. This was the age I started to realize how we all have different interests, talents, gifts, and hobbies.
As I got older, I continued to love reading and writing. In High School, literature courses were my favorite. As a Christian, I poured over Psalms continually during my teen years (and it is still my favorite book of the Bible). When I graduated High School, I initially enrolled in college as an English major. During my first year, I dropped my major (mostly out of fear). “What job would I get with an English major?” “Is my writing even good enough?” “Do I have what it takes to write something that people will read?” Ultimately, I got a degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology. A lover of all things “true crime,” I wanted to learn about the criminal justice system while also helping people. I have developed a career in social work, dealing with addiction and foster care.
Still, the idea of writing has always nagged at me. I constantly write in my notes app on my phone. Several times over the years, I have told my close friends that if I could do anything, I would write a book. I still love making up worship lyrics in my head and in my phone (that never leave my notes app). However, I have been too scared to ever share my thoughts with others. Allowing someone to read my writing is like giving someone access to my thoughts; it is vulnerable in a way that is hard to describe. It comes with a fear of not being good enough. It is like giving someone access to the “true” me.
I am currently in a book circle with a few women from church. We are studying “Visioneering” by Andy Stanley. The book is centered around finding your purpose and personal vision. When I started reading the book, I felt so convicted. When I showed up to our first meeting to discuss the book, I didn’t know what to say. Again, out of fear, I didn’t want to admit that I felt like I should be sharing my writing with others. I shared with the women that addiction is something I feel passionately about (which is true). But I was too afraid to admit that I feel called to write and share the gospel with others in this capacity.
As the weeks have went on, I have continued to feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit. While praying the other day, I felt God say to me, “How long will you continue to put off the thing I have asked you to do?” – When I was about 19 or 20 years old, I was in a church service where the evangelist prayed for me. He said, “the Holy Spirit told me to tell you not to run.” At the time, I thought, “what does that mean? why would I run from God?” It turns out, I would end up running in more ways than one. But lately, the Holy Spirit has reminded me of the word that was spoken over my life over 10 years ago. As I looked back over my life, it was like I could see the “writing on the wall” (pun intended).
I have spent a lot of years running from this gift. By no means am I a highly skilled writer. It is something that I enjoy and that can be used to glorify God. If just one person develops a relationship with Jesus from this, or receives wisdom from the Lord, then it will be worth it. I am not a perfect person, nor a perfect Christian (and my inner circle can attest to that). But I love Jesus and want that for other people, too.
The great commission does not cater to our personalities. Being an introvert does not exclude me from putting myself out there and being a mouthpiece for the gospel. I am quiet, but I do have something to say. Check out the “About: The Bible Files” section to learn more about The Bible Files and how I plan to use this page to investigate Biblical truths and bring people closer to Jesus. Grace and peace ✌🏼
The Bible Files. 