Confessions of a lurker

I am a lurker.

I read forums and rarely post.

I read blogs and rarely comment.

I benefit greatly from information freely given.

I receive daily encouragement.

I pray for others' needs.

Sometimes I leave a note of thanks, condolence, or encouragement.

Those notes are few and far between because

I am a lurker.

A lurker is the internet equivalent of shy.

I have been shy all of my life.

I am never the center of attention.

I am not comfortable going up to strangers and introducing myself.

I usually won't be the first to welcome you.

It's not that I'm unfriendly.

I'm afraid of rejection, but I'm working on that.

I don't have a ton of acquaintances.

I do have a few good friends.

I am a good listener and if someone needs something, I'm there.

Once you get to know me, I'll talk you ear off.

I try to be the extrovert that I'm not.

I thought the "safety" of the internet would help,

But I'm still a lurker.

I'm trying.

I've joined some forums and communities.

I've managed to somewhat keep up a blog for half a year.

I've reached out a few times.

Sometimes someone reaches back, sometimes not.

That's the way things are.

I'll never be the bubbly one or the popular one.

I am the way God made me.

And if He likes me, that's enough.