Fall is definitely approaching. Each day the sun rises later, so I’ve been sleeping an hour later. The sun is setting much earlier, too. It is dark now by 7:30pm. For an introvert like me, this change doesn’t bother me very much. It’s like an excuse for not being out and about.

Yesterday at my small group, we were discussing 1 Peter 1:22. The question was to talk about a time when an act of obedience led to being more holy. The most recent I remembered was stepping out of my comfort zone to join the small group just a couple weeks after attending the church. I explained how uncomfortable I feel in a group of strangers and how I’m very shy until I get to know people. They were so amazed to hear me say this. They would never have guessed I was shy!

One of the ladies said how she was in awe that a published author was joining the group. She asked how I could be a writer and still be shy. I explained how it is the perfect job for an introvert because I could write in the privacy of my comfort zone! I could interact with people without being face to face. Everyone laughed.

When I was young, I used the crutch of being funny to be comfortable. If people were laughing, they must like me. I realize this today, but then it was just a way of trying to fit in. As I grew older, people who didn’t know me thought I was standoffish. They didn’t see the scared little girl inside who wanted so much to be accepted. I never had the gift of conversation. I never felt good enough. I had low self esteem.

Maybe this is what led me to have a passion to write. So, as fall descends upon the extroverts who love being outdoors and with friends being active and adventurous, this change isn’t as easily accepted. As the days grow shorter, I feel the pull to sit at my computer and write. It’s my comfort zone.

Lifting my morning cup of tea and thanking God for filling my heart with a passion to share His love and goodness through the gift He has given me. May your day be beautiful and may you find joy in who God created you to be.