01.25.09
I need an introvert day
I’m an introvert.
There was a time in my life when I thought that was a character flaw. Introverts don’t like people, right? They’re kind of anti-social and maybe even a little snotty. How can that possibly be a good thing? I once had a friend question whether or not an introvert could even be a missionary.
Then I learned the real definition of introvert. We’re not anti-social and snotty. We like people just as much as extroverts. But the difference is that being around people is draining for introverts. It makes us tired. Extroverts come home from a party excitedly talking about all the great conversations they had. Introverts would rather drive home in silence, ready to slip into bed. One time after church my wife was asking me all kinds of questions about things that had happened, and I finally had to sheepishly admit that I was out of words – I honestly didn’t have it in me to have any more conversation!
This week has been full of meetings. And the kids have needed a little more attention than usual. And being the interim team leader means people turn their head and look at me during a meeting when it’s decision time. Which all adds up to a very tired introvert. When I saw being an introvert as a bad thing, it also would have added up to a lot of guilt. “Maybe introverts really shouldn’t be missionaries?” I would think. Now I see it as a part of me being me. I need to take some time to get recharged before I drain all the way to zero. Staying at zero too long often leads to bad things.
It’s a good thing to start to feel comfortable with the personality that God gave me.
Karl said,
01.26.09 at 1:13 am
From one introvert to another….I feel ya!
Krista said,
01.26.09 at 6:15 pm
As an extrovert married to an introvert, I very much appreciated everything you just said!!
Wayne Meece said,
02.13.09 at 1:56 pm
Hi Brian, I’m something of an introvert too, so I hear where you are coming from. I can go off to myself and be perfectly happy. Ministry, and especially the preaching ministry has forced me out of that to some extent, but it still lifts it’s ugly head at all the wrong times.
I hear good things about your leadership, so keep it up brother!
April Houk said,
03.12.09 at 7:57 am
Remember that New Year’s Eve in Germany where you sat in one chair on one wall and I sat in another chair on the opposite wall and everyone else was playing games in the middle?