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One word. Five minutes to write about it. This is the idea behind Five Minute Friday and this is today's free-writing post.
say what you mean
mean what you say
I don't know what to say
it's hard to say
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I really don't like talking on the phone, which may sound strange coming from someone who talks a lot. But it's true, there are maybe four or five people (total!) that I'm comfortable talking with on the phone.
I was actually quite dismayed when it came up that I would be expected to answer calls to the accounting loop at my job. Ugh, that's not what I signed up for, is it? Admittedly, once I'd been coached and had some practice with the most frequent calls, I felt much better about those and I don't mind at all when I'm just talking to the drivers. But it's the times when someone calls that actually needs another department altogether, or there's a caller that I have no idea how to handle that I feel completely out of my depth and stressed. I don't know for sure what to do and I feel totally awkward.
Also weird that I hate public speaking. I mean, most people hate public speaking, but here's what is weird - I have very little trouble with stage fright when it comes to singing or playing keyboard, but it's the talking I'm nervous about. I worry about either rambling like an idiot or getting tongue-tied and sounding dumb. I don't know what to say.
I can relate to Moses in a way. Moses is all for God stepping in to save his people until God says Moses is supposed to take the message to Pharoah. It's at that point that Moses starts panicking and explaining how much he hates talking on the phone . . . errr . . . how imperfectly he speaks:
But Moses replied to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent ― either in the past or recently or since you have been speaking to your servant ― because my mouth and my tongue are sluggish."
The LORD said to him, "Who placed a mouth on humans? Who makes a person mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go! I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say."
~Exodus 4:10-12~
There are so many scenarios I can think of, with far less dire potential consequences to me, that I am fearful of not being able to speak or explain or answer appropriately. I feel like I never know what to say when someone is hurting, in confrontations, or just in awkward situations. Goodness, I don't know what to say when I have to make an uncomfortable phone call, who thinks it's a good idea to trust me to speak words of gentle rebuke or of comforting sympathy? Even worse, what if I have to defend my faith or take a stand for what's right? Will I know what to say?
God says I will, and that you will too, if that's something that concerns you. Jesus warns the disciples that they will face opposition and confrontations and even persecution because they represent him, but he also promises that the Holy Spirit will be with them always and will give them the words when they are needed. And that promise can be ours as well.
"And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
~Luke 12:11-12~
" . . . and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
~Matthew 10:18-20~
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There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars. ~Mark Twain
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Loved this post! So much truth going on. I've always hated talking on the phone too and I worked a police dispatch job where the phone and radio were my main focus. lol Funny how things work out like that. I remember dropping speech class after the first day. I was scared to death to get up in front of people but I think maybe I could have overcome that, but I felt I couldn't even begin to write a speech that I could get up in front of people and give. lol Oh and thanks for the Manhattan Transfer video. I love that song.
ReplyDeleteYou just reminded me that I avoided a college class right before we had to give oral presentations! Can't remember now if I outright dropped the class or if I just somehow got out of the oral presentation, but yeah, the fear was real but like you said, I bet I could have overcome that. Glad you enjoyed the song, it was a little trip down memory lane for me! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteKym, I appreciate your authenticity! Benjamin Franklin's quote rings true! FMF #9
ReplyDeletevery often I find it just as hard to not say anything as it is to say the right thing! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI enjoyed your post! I don't enjoy talking on the phone either. Strangely, I used to hate public speaking but now I actually enjoy it! I still get nervous beforehand but I love it when I am doing. It's one of the unexpected ways God has worked to change me.
ReplyDeleteI don't like public speaking and really try to avoid it, but once I'm in the situation, I usually manage okay. God grows us and works in us in ways we don't expect! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI can totally relate to this post.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Love that Benjamin Franklin quote at the end.
yes I thought that was a wise and clever quote - not always easy advice to follow though! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI used to love to talk on the telephone with friends. I wonder if it's because cell phones are always with us now. I feel almost tethered to it. As for public speaking, I don't know if it's because I taught for so many years or what, but I have no fear at all. I just get up and the show begins!
ReplyDeleteI hope the job continues to feel more and more comfortable and that you have a wonderful week!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I think the change in attitude towards phone calls is very much related to the ubiquitousness of our cell phones - there's probably a study somewhere tracking that general change, don't you think? I am usually quite comfortable standing in front of a classroom and speaking too, although the classes I've taught are relatively small. But ask me to make an announcement in front of the whole church and that's a NO from me. I think it's all about preparation and choice.
DeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting!