The Parable of the Shy Girl by Lesley Hargreaves

And it came to pass that a shy girl discovered the Internet, and there within was a chance to pursue writing with something called a Blog, which is to say a Weblog. And behold, the shy girl found that she could write about things that interested her. And, in the beginning, that included riveting things like nail varnish and whether the beans should actually ON the toast and whether sweetcorn is an abomination unto the Lord. 

The shyest of the shy girls considered not that people would actually be reading the Blog and very quickly, she moved on from nail varnish, which she could never get to last for more than 16 minutes anyway, and she began to write about the deepest darkest questions of our time. 

But I say unto thee that this is a lie because when she began to write about the solutions to the human condition, she found that she was rubbish at it. Indeed, her words were as dust. So, mainly, she stuck to her human condition and what the love of a good God could do about it. And she was at peace with her blog.

But behold, the day came when someone left a comment. And it was a kind comment, and the shy girl knew that she had to answer, but she was sore afraid that her comment would not be witty like Victoria Wood, and so she just said "Thank you". And then, behold, other people or "complete strangers" as you might call them began to comment and the shy girl girded her loins with courage and clicked through to their blogs and read them and her heart was warmed within her - even to the very cockles thereof and she didn't know if she should say so but then she thought " Maybe I should say so" and she saw that it was good and she rejoiced.

And then, like cement on a wheelbarrow, these back-and-forth thank-yous became strong and difficult to dislodge, and grew into something she liked to call friendship. And we were glad.

The shy girl learned that not every pearl has to grow into a necklace, and she even began to leave "reviews" on websites, not expecting friendship in return (although if Marilynne Robinson had offered, she wouldn't have turned her down). And Lo! the shy girl learned the joy of encouragement, and she rejoiced. 

And now the shy girl is here on this blog, yet what has she learned? It seems nothing more than a jot or a tittle for when faced with those whom she knoweth not, she hath taken refuge beneath her bushel, retreating in quietness for much of the time. Yet she hath enjoyed the wisdom and received much succour from the words herein, and she would like to make it known unto thee and send many thanks

Lesley is a Charity Manager and blogs at https://wrinklymartha.blogspot.com/