I became friends with Ruthie Gray around the time I started my blog. Her mission is to help moms navigate motherhood and equip them to find joy in God’s strength. We come from the same tribe, both having 4 kids— 3 girls and 1 boy, all in the same order. They say laughter is the best medicine, and her humor made me laugh when I wanted to cry in the overwhelm of motherhood. I was surprised to find out she used to be scared to talk to people. You would never know it. Her dad felt the same way as you will read in her guest post below.
A shy country boy
Growing up in rural West Virginia, my dad was a shy country boy. He kept to himself and didn’t go out of his way to speak to others. He chose a failing grade in high school speech because he refused to speak in front of the class.
After graduating from the local community college, he secured a job at the VA hospital where he worked in the morgue. Coming from a family of smokers, he carried a cigarette pack in his front shirt pocket.
The little country church was located just down the hill and across the road, and Dad paid the obligatory visit with his family on Sunday mornings. The rest of the week he minded his own business.
Back in the early ’60’s, revivals were prevalent, and the little church across the road was no exception. The news spread that evangelist Carl Johnson was coming to hold meetings for a week.
During the first meeting, held on Monday night, my dad walked the aisle to accept Christ as his Savior.
“Nobody gets saved on a Monday night. Most people wait till at least Thursday. Not me – I got saved the first night the doors were open.” Dad often reminisced.
The change in dad’s habits after his conversion was most remarkable.
He’d been given a little New Testament and decided to carry it in his front pocket to work. When he realized carrying a Bible and a pack of cigarettes might be incongruous, he ditched the “cigs” and never looked back.
A fledgling Bible college was located just seven miles from the community where my dad lived, and several students attended his church. Following several conversations with the students, He decided to go to Bible college.
To become a pastor.
This same guy that failed speech class at Pax High School (1954 Class B State Basketball Champions – so reads the road sign) knew in his heart God had called him to preach.
Dad spent the better part of his career pastoring two different churches and held various speaking engagements throughout the years.
Many souls came to know the Lord under his ministry, some choosing the vocation of ministry in the form of pastors and missionaries.
As a result, the gospel spread to other countries, and more people accepted Christ as Savior.
All because my shy dad said yes to God’s call.
You may be like Moses and protest
Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and on tongue. ~Exodus 4:10
But God says
Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak. ~vs11
Can you imagine what could have happened if Moses believed him? He didn’t, so his brother Aaron got the job. But Moses is credited with leading the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness. His well-known earthly ministry could have been even more powerful, had he let God use his mouth.
My dad believed God would undertake his weakness and as a result, people across the globe hold a citizenship in heaven!
Many shy persons have accomplished great things for the Lord when putting self aside and saying yes to God’s call.
Shy people carry out powerfully bold purposes when God is at the helm. Share on X
Mom, dad, and I, circa 1969
When I was young, I battled extreme shyness like my dad. I was afraid of loud, boisterous people like Lloyd Preston.
One day I hid in the bathroom of the Bible college where my dad worked just so I wouldn’t have to talk to Lloyd. But alas, the moment of reckoning came.
To read that story, click on this guest post I wrote for Valerie a few years ago, How I conquered my fear of talking to people to enjoy a giggle (at my expense), and discover how the Lord transformed me (guess I’m a chip off the old block).
Do you have a shy temperament? What is God asking of you that you’re afraid to say yes to?
For it is God Who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. ~Philippians 2:13
Ruthie Gray is a wife, Gigi, and mom of four (who lived to tell about it). Ruthie’s passion is mentoring moms to capture joy with humor, advice, and practical application of Scripture at Ruthie Gray.Mom. Ruthie is a contributor of the free mom devotional app, TruthBytes, and the author of Count to Nine; 9 Liberating Steps for Mom Frustration and Anger. Click to download her Wife and Mommy Survival Kit here.
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Hello there! I'm Valerie, a mom of four and wife of 27 years. My writing inspires others to cultivate courageous faith and find solace in trusting God, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty. Join me on this adventure as we explore the beauty of trusting God when we are afraid. 
my 4th child is an introvert and lives in the shadow of her outgoing and loud older siblings. It’s been hard to find ways to help her embrace the way she is but yet push herself to be more than her fears tell her. your post is a good reminder of what God can do with those who say “yes” to him.
I’m an introvert as well, Karen. Although public speaking still terrifies me, I thought her post was a great example to me of God’s power working through someone with a willing heart.
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Karen Woodall
Ruthie, I love this! Your dad’s comment about getting saved on Monday is the best! It’s so important to remember that God can use our weaknesses, maybe even more than our strengths, to accomplish His purposes. When He uses our weaknesses the glory all the more goes straight to Him. Thanks, Valerie and Ruthie … this blessed me!
I loved this testimony too, Deb! I never thought to imagine how Moses ministry could have been even more powerful had he allowed God to use his mouth.