George Beverly Shea is not only an immensely talented singer, but also a good story teller. Yet, as a boy he was intensely shy, and his hesitancy to talk in public carried over into young adulthood. Called upon to give a speech once, he wrote his preacher-father for advice.It came quickly by a postcard. “If God could put words in the mouth of Balaam’s ass, he will do the same for you!”That’s a good thought to keep in mind the next time you’re asked to give a talk, or say a prayer. God can still quaking knees, dry sweaty palms, and fast-beating hearts and loosens tied-up tongues. Ask Him to help you, take three deep breathes and begin.Psalm 19:14: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”The greatest calamity is not trying and failing, but failing without trying.