Beverly Hamilton writes in Today's Christian Woman:
For several months, I'd been trying to lead Sharon, a co-worker, to the Lord. One day, she asked, "How does God speak to you?" Hesitantly, I answered, "Through Scripture and prayers. He … he …" Then my mind went blank, and Sharon left.
It never failed–every time Sharon asked about God or salvation, I'd answer her question, then become tongue-tied. I felt like a failure at witnessing.
But one morning, Sharon excitedly told me, "I accepted Jesus last night. Thanks for not preaching when I asked questions. Everyone else told me too much at once, and I became confused. You simply answered my questions."
God's ways are mysterious, I suddenly realized. He even uses silence to his advantage.