Encouragement

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Fear Not! You're A Child Of God!
(c) 2006

by

Stephen A. Peterson


Throughout her young life 15 year old Terri Pappas suffered from shyness. One afternoon at an International Club meeting at Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City, Terri was asked by the Freshman class sponsor to stand up and introduce some of her classmates who she knew to the rest of the club's membership.

"Oh, not me!" Terri said. "I can't do it. I'm too shy."

So as not to cause her any embarrassment, the class sponsor allowed Terri to wave her opportunity to speak before a group of people. At the conclusion of the club meeting, Terri happened to overhear her best friend, Linda Christian, telling another girl: "I don't believe people are really shy. I believe the notion of 'shy' is just another name for ego."

This upset Terri. As soon as Linda was alone, Terri approached her to ask her what she meant.

"Well," Linda said. "I really believe that some people are so self-centered, so concerned about what other people think of them, that their fear makes them withdraw and say that they are shy. To tell you the truth, Terri, if you'd been thinking more about making the new members of the International Club feel welcome, wanted and needed, and less about what you believe people were thinking about you, you wouldn't really have time to be shy. You would proudly get up, introduce them to the rest of the club and welcome them so that they would be comfortable."

Initially, Terri was stunned that her best friend was so frank and blunt with her. After three days, Terri came to realize that Linda was attempting to help her. Ever since Terri had her conversation with Linda, she worked hard trying to get out of herself by reaching out to others and getting to know how they feel and think. Terri worked through her personal issues. She learned with Linda's continued encouragement not to fear presenting herself to others as to who she is as.

Terri also learned that God made her in His imagine?a beautiful person! So why should she be ashamed of who and what she is? She is a wonderful child of God!!! You who read this short story are wonderfully made and beautiful regardless of age, condition, gender, national origins or race!

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