by Mary Busha based on Acts 14:6-7 and 2 Timothy 1:5

Just as Timothy rounded the corner of the synagogue, a large man caught the boy in his arms.

"Whoa, lad," he said in a burly voice. "Slow down there."

Frightened and embarrassed, Timothy tried to speak between quick breaths. "Oh . . . sir, I'm sorry. Please . . . I was just in a hurry to deliver this package. I'm late . . . I stopped to listen to the man speaking."

"What's going on, John Mark?" another man asked. "Is there a problem?"

The second man, whose voice sounded strangely familiar to Timothy, put his hand on top of Timothy's shoulder and smiled.

"No problem at all," John Mark replied with a funny smirk. "Seems that this lad stopped to listen to a man speak about Jesus and lost track of time."

How did he know I was hearing about Jesus? Timothy thought as he ran off.

Out of breath, Timothy arrived at Eli the shopkeeper's door just as the man was closing for the day.

"Timothy, my young friend," he said, as he took the package and shook Timothy's hand, "I had just about given up on you."

As Timothy made his way home, he wondered how he would explain being so late. How could he tell his father that he saw a crowd in the center of town, was curious to see what was going on and stayed to listen?

For nearly an hour, Timothy had blended into the crowd, encouraged by the words he heard. Although he couldn't see the speaker, he heard the man talk about Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. The speaker said Jesus loved them all - that He had given His life for them and yet somehow was alive! He told those gathered how the Lamb of God had come to fulfill the law.

From the time Timothy could remember, his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, had told him these exact same things. They read him the Scriptures and taught him about the Lord Jesus. Timothy wanted so badly to share this good news with others.

But how could he? He was still young and shy. He wished he could speak boldly about his Savior. But he could remember a time not so long ago when other kids called him "Timid Timothy."

Despite his shyness, Timothy loved helping others. Sometimes instead of tending to his chores and helping in his father's shop, Timothy would help an old man push his cart into town. If someone needed a friend, Timothy was loyal to the end. When other boys ran off to wrestle or run races, Timothy stayed behind to play with his young neighbor Benjamin, crippled from birth.

Timothy's father often saw these characteristics as weaknesses. "How will you ever become a successful businessman?" he would fuss. But Eunice admired these traits in her son. She saw his longing for the Word of God and his desire to serve others. Deep down in her heart, she knew that God had given these special gifts to Timothy. Even his name meant "honored of God."

But today, a little agitated, Eunice wondered, Where is that son of mine?

"Mother, I'm back," Timothy called hurrying into the house. "I'm sorry I'm late again. Wait until you hear!"

Before he could go on, Mother said, "Quickly, get washed. Grandmother Lois has invited us for the evening meal. She said she has a surprise. Hurry now."

When Timothy entered his grandmother's home, he was shocked to see two men already seated at the table. These were the same two men Timothy had encountered earlier that day.

"Well, well, look who we have here," John Mark said. "I see you made it to where you were going in one piece."

Both men laughed. One got up from the table and approached Timothy. Reaching out his hand, he said, "We never did have a proper introduction. My name is Paul. And you are?"

"Timothy, sir. And I recognize your voice. You're the man who spoke to the crowd today. The one who spoke fearlessly about the Lord."

Now only a little shy, Timothy sat down in the chair next to the apostle Paul, eager to hear more about Jesus.

No longer Timid Timothy

Along with Timothy's mother and grandmother, the apostle Paul also recognized God's gifts in the young man and his hunger for the Lord. When Timothy got older, Paul invited him on two missionary journeys. The first was to Iconium, Troas, Neapolis and Philippi. The next journey took them to Corinth, where Timothy was active in leading others to the Lord. Often the apostle referred to Timothy as his beloved and faithful son in the Lord. Timothy went on to become the pastor of the church at Ephesus, and eventually his ministry helped change the world. Have you read 1 and 2 Timothy in the New Testament? Both of these letters were written to Timothy from Paul. In fact, 2 Timothy contains the apostle's last words before he was killed because of his faith in Christ.

	Q: Why did the dog lay on its back with its feet sticking in the air? A: It was trying to trip birds. Amy S., 11, Illinois Clubhouse Jr. Click here to subscribe