A Tiny Angel

It is so amazing how we read the Bible, even preach, teach, sing its words, yet, still seem amazed when God does something special. Most of the time, people are talking about their children, grandchildren and family members. Certain holidays are when families spend the time together, right? At times, when a baby is born then everyone celebrates with excitement, wanting to see the baby and hold him or her.


At the news of our family's newest addition, being 8000 miles away, I knew I would be thankful to see pictures as they would be downloaded onto the computer or even get to see the baby via Skype. It is hard enough being so far away, but then to not see pictures, except for a few in the very beginning, I wonder if the baby will be walking by the time I see another picture. I haven't and won't complain, but God is the ONLY ONE who really knows this old heart of mine. I love my children, my grandchildren and now my tiny little great-grandchild.


Hugs??? Oh I could hug each one of my family and not stop hugging them for days or weeks or longer, so since I can't hug any of them, I hug each and everyone that comes into our home here. I used to always follow the customs and traditions of bowing and being ever so polite, but ONE DAY it allllllllllllll changed to "hugs".


You see, we were standing in front of a hospital years ago, with the oldest daughter of an elderly man we regarded as our Japanese grandfather. His daughter and husband were bowing and thanking us for coming to the hospital. Her Dad was in critical condition. As we were holding our umbrellas in the drizzling rain, also bowing, the Lord said, "Sharon, hug her." I thought, "But, this is Japan. They don't hug." Again He said, "Sharon, HUG HER!" Just then I started to put my arm around her shoulder and she fell onto my chest and wept like a baby as I held her in my arms. What a lesson I learned that day.


Now I catch the looks of onlookers in stores, parking lots or anywhere I may be giving someone a hug, and I see the look of "envy" instead of "scorn". People are starving for LOVE - that precious AGAPE LOVE!!!


Recently I was totally exhausted from cooking, and having many things going on with people coming and going non-stop for several days. I knew that I needed to just be still and rest, at least a few hours. All of a sudden, I seemed to feel strength come into my body, and I was clearly instructed to go to a small Japanese church, where I fellowship from time to time, and feel I am part of the family there.


Upon arriving, one of the gals seemed very surprised to see me. I couldn't imagine why such surprise. She told me that she and her friend had just prayed on the way to the service, "Jesus, please bring Sharon san here in Your timing." They didn't know which Sunday, but they hoped it would be soon, because they wanted to talk with me. I showed up just minutes later.


As the mother of a little baby girl, who was just born in March, was standing in the front door entrance, I kissed the baby's head. I said, "Oh how I would love to hold her." Immediately the mom put her into my arms. Ooooooooooooooh my! Tears started flowing out of my eyes so fast, I couldn't stop them. I then realized that God had been mindful of what I needed more than anything else that day. I didn't realize how much I needed to hold that TINY ANGEL. I needed to hold one of my granddaughters or my new great granddaughter, but since that was not possible, He had that TINY ANGEL placed into my arms. No words can tell what healing flooded my being that day.


As I held her, she fell asleep in my arms. I stood for awhile there in the entrance while the praise and worship music was going on, and my tears just flowed and flowed. I knew God had decided what His daughter needed, and chose to use that TINY ANGEL to minister to my heart.
When my tears stopped, I entered and sat during the service holding her so tightly in my arms.

One other time at the close of a women's retreat in Honolulu, Hawaii, we gathered in one of the churches for a special Sunday evening service. Before the service, one of the ladies I had met in the retreat brought her baby and little girl to show me. The baby wanted to come into my arms, to the mother's surprise. The baby put both arms on my shoulders and put her head on my shoulder. She stayed there and patted my shoulder with her tiny hand.


The mom and grandmother stood amazed because the baby had never done such a thing. As my tears flowed out of my eyes, I looked at them and said, "Oh, I just realized what is happening. I didn't think that I was missing my grandchildren, but when your baby began patting my shoulder and my tears started flowing, I realized God is loving me through your baby. WOW!!!" This continued for several minutes, then the TINY ANGEL's job was finished. I was filled with such a peace and love.


To be loved by a TINY ANGEL is the most awesome experience. You know that it is really Father loving you through the baby.


When you parents, children, spouse, grandchildren or even great-grandchildren can't or won't hug you, love, or bless you, KNOW that your Heavenly Father knows what you need. He will bless you, and give you love through whom He chooses.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

It is often said, "Time flies when you're having fun." Some days life seems to stand still while other days last but minutes. Schedules of classes, counseling sessions and ministry can be the week's agenda, but nothing can take the place of a time to stop and enjoy something. Today was one of those days.

One of the gals wanted to stop and bring milk and eggs to give us. Although my schedule was to be full of cleaning and working today in preparation for the next two days, I felt directed to just stop what I had planned and spend some time visiting.

She has a little son, who is not three yet. When I opened the front door today, he greeted me then stepped into the front door entrance. Took off his shoes and then stepped up onto the floor. He walked on into the living room and began to take his little jacket off. As his mom and I walked into the room, he said with a smile, "I'm spending the night here tonight." She and I were completely shocked, because he has never said that before. She and I were talking and she had taken her coat off. He went to his mom and said, "Please take your coat off because we are going to stay." This is NOT normal for a little guy to be like that. It just proved how much he enjoys coming to this Grandma's house. Smile!!!

Living thousands of miles (7182 miles/11,558 km) from my five grandchildren, one can only dream about one of those special hugs for a Grandma. I don't spend my time thinking about my grands and not being with them, or I would go nutty. God gives such comfort and peace so He blesses in that.

Today was a surprise from my Heavenly Father, I believe. In the midst of my mind being sooooooooooo busy, this afternoon ended up being one of those special moments God prepared "just for me". When she called about coming, soon the Lord put an idea into me. I really wanted to say, "Excuse me, Lord, did You forget what allllllll I was planning to get done today?" Instead that idea became very strong and I knew that it was something I was to do.

We sat down in the living room, but he stepped into the dining area and sat down at the table. He said, "Please come here and sit to talk." She and I went and sat down at the table and kept talking. I simply said in English (and he does NOT speak or understand English), "I just finished preparing... and ... for our visitors who are coming tomorrow to spend the night. Do you think he would be interested in making cookies? Has he ever done it before?" His eyes lit up and his eyebrows raised, then he looked at us, saying, "Cookies? Cookies?" She asked if he would like o make cookies and he readily agreed.

I got my recipe and then went to get the necessary ingredients. He came to help me and he carried things. He was so happy to help. He and his mom sat down on the footstool in the kitchen while I began to mix the ingredients. Each time I added things, I had him count with me in English.

Finally everything was mixed together. We three went back to the table and I put some dough into a smaller bowl just for him to work with. He did a wonderful job. He took it very, very seriously. I gave him smaller cookie sheets so we would know which cookies were his and his mommie's. He was so proud to take some cookies to his grandparents and then take some to his Daddy.

Please enjoy these pictures. This was a day that the Lord let me feel like "Grandma". WOW!!! He really knew how much I needed that privilege. He even gave me a kiss before they left. WOW!!! What a special day for this grandma!!!

New Life

Today was such an exciting day. For over 40 some years I have taught Bible studies, classes, seminars, etc. but today was very special.

December was such a busy month of baking, cooking, teaching, training, giving, giving, giving, but somehow in the midst of everything 4 ladies accepted Jesus into their hearts. Christmas Day finished with one stating she wanted to accept Jesus into her heart while standing in our front door entrance with her friend who brought her.

Today I sat down across the table from 2 of the ladies to teach them their first Bible study ever.
The freshness of telling someone that there are 66 books in the Bible, and then explain the front part is called Old Testament and the latter part is called New Testament was so special. They have such a desire to learn. There are no words to describe how privileged I felt today.

Isn't it amazing how people sit in Sunday School classes, feeling and acting so bored? Isn't it amazing how people sit in Church, feeling and acting so bored? Sitting with the different people I have been teaching and training in the Word, they are not bored, but instead they are thrilled to have found out about God's love. They all want to know more and more and more. The more they hear, the more they want.

You see, when you were born in the midst of many, many idols, shrines, and temples, you can't imagine anything about an unconditional love. You can't imagine there is actually a deity that is all about an unconditional love, because all the gods you have ever known about control people with fear, fear and more fear.

To hug a Grandma and her feel love, what a smile comes on her face. To smile at someone in a store, bank, post office and watch their whole countenance change, makes you want to keep smiling all day.

I'm sorry, but I think that boredom and no interest in church is because God's love is not the center of the gathering. If Jesus were there, would He actually be welcome? Why would I say such a thing as that? Well, you see He went where the people were. He met their needs and didn't stop to build a building to get attention and show what he had done. He always thought about the needs of the people. When the disciples wanted to send the crowd away, Jesus cared for their hunger and fed them. When the blind man was told to shut up, Jesus heard his cry and healed him.

How many walk into church buildings that are cold and lifeless? They are hungry for truth, love, joy and peace, but walk out empty. The service was perhaps beautiful to the natural eyes and ears, but why did people leave the same as they had come?

Jesus was never too busy to stop and heal someone; to raise a woman's dead child; to set someone free from demonic control or just listen to someone. He loved. He forgave. He cared.
When you see someone that is broken and cast down as this rose, do you usually choose to walk on by, step on it, or pick it up?

Grandma4Today

I have been a Grandmother for twenty years and still remember the thrill and joy I had when my first grandchild was born. Living in Japan made it quite difficult to pick up someone else’s baby to hug it or play with it, because most babies never had seen a person with light colored hair. You can imagine how it would be for a baby always seeing black hair and smaller people, then, suddenly a strange looking rather large character suddenly comes near and touches the baby. Total panic would erupt.

When our first son was born in Japan, everyone wanted to hold him and show him off through the stores. He handled all of the attention and excitement, but it was a completely different story when I wanted to hold or talk to one of the other babies. The babies would just begin to cry and cry and cry. I was not used to having any baby react like that until we lived in Japan. Previously the babies in the church we pastored stateside all loved me. For several years, I was very sad to not have a baby to hug, hold and love.

When our granddaughter was born in the hospital here, the specialist was a personal friend who delivered her. In that private hospital, being the only foreign baby, she got very much attention. For the first four years of her life, with her blond hair and blue eyes, she was always the center of attention anywhere she was taken. My husband and I could not seem to hug her enough. Her birth had brought sunshine and smiles to our faces that had been missing for those many years. Our daughter seemed to spend every moment possible with her, laughing and playing with her. Our family had been blessed with a special little treasure that no words could describe.

Three years later her baby sister was born. Our hearts jumped for joy and were filled with excitement once again. No matter what burdens we were made to bear in responsibilities, their little faces, smiles and hugs brought joy that made every burden almost non-existent. In those days, we traveled to various countries much of the time. Exhausted and feeling as though our feet could not take another step, when the smiles and the sounds of their voices resounded in the airport, all of a sudden, the tiredness left and we were ready to be hugged.

Those four years seemed full and overflowing with hugs, smiles and laughter. When the oldest one was four and the younger a little over one, they went to the states for a summer trip, and never returned. All of a sudden, the house was full of toys, and no children. Where there were smiles, hugs and laughter, now there was only sadness and tears.

I realized that I needed to focus on where I was and what God wanted me to do, instead of being sad, so I gave my grandma’s heart to the Lord and depended on Him for strength. To be honest, I didn’t do too good for the first few months, because we daily felt the void in every area of our lives. You can’t suddenly not hear laughter, singing, and joyful sounds and NOT miss it.

About six months later, my husband and I traveled to some of the Asian countries. I was not thinking about the grandchildren and knew God had certainly helped me. While sitting outside one evening with the National Director’s wife in the middle of the property, she was called away to take care of something. None of the orphans were allowed to come near us, being the visitors, so as to not disturb or bother us.

Two of the orphan girls were standing a distance away looking at me. I began to motion for them to come to me, but they were bashful and afraid because they knew they were not supposed to come near me and bother me. I insisted that they come as I kept motioning my hand for them to come. When they got to me, I put my arms around one of them and gave her a very tight hug I then did the same to the other girl. They just melted in my arms. They smiled and smiled because they could not believe that I had done that. I had never seen any of the staff or workers hugging any of the children. That night I wanted to hug those two girls so I was very glad the wife had been called away for several minutes. Smile!!! They knew that they best leave before she returned so they slowly walked away, continuing to wave and wave and wave to me.

As they walked away, the Lord began to say something to me. “Sharon, you have been so sad because your grandchildren moved to the states, but do you realize how many times you hugged them? Do you realize how much love you have poured into your grands? You took them shopping, went to McDonalds, bought toys, and did so many things together, especially with the first one. Sharon, do you realize that those girls have never had one hug until your hug just now? You have so much love and so many hugs to give, and these kids have never had such an experience just one time. They need your hugs.”

I sat there and could only weep. From that evening until now, I am thrilled when I have the privilege to be with my grandchildren and share all the hugs, BUT each day I am never without the thought, “Who am I near that needs a hug? Who is it that has never had a real Grandma hug?”

You would be amazed how many people you pass each day that a hug would keep them from committing suicide. A hug would make them realize that they do have a purpose to be alive. A hug would cause them to reconsider giving up on life and believing everything hopeless. A hug might be their first time in their whole life to feel love.

Your smile may change a day for a person who is depressed in a bank, post office, gas station, or grocery store. Don’t fake it. If it is not real, then look sour like everybody else. A fake smile is worse than no smile. Perhaps you yourself need to be hugged. The best way to fix that is by hugging someone who is in greater need of a hug.

I have no idea where this came from, but it crossed my path back in the 90’s: Perhaps you could make it into a coupon and start giving them out to people. SMILE!!!

Hugs are fat-free, sugar-free

And require no batteries.

Hugs reduce blood pressure,

Body temperature and heart rate,

And help relieve pain and depression.

Redeem this coupon

At your nearest participating human being.

Ms JOY

When Ms JOY was first born, I was having a very difficult time. As I sat with a legal pad on my lap writing notes, my heart was aching. I felt as though I was screaming inside. On the side of my notes, I began to draw two eyes with exaggerated tears pouring out of them. I looked as I drew three pairs of eyes crying and crying many tears. I felt in my heart, “God, this is me. This is exactly how I am feeling right now. After a couple minutes, the Lord began to say something to me. I sat there amazed as I heard Him say, “Sharon, draw a face using the word JOY.”

I drew the eyes using the J & O, then the Y for the mouth. I immediately thought, “Lord, that is not really You telling me to do this because it doesn’t make sense!!! The eye with the J can’t be closed so it CAN’T be an eye! ! !” Immediately He said, “Sharon, it needs a hat.” I said that I was sorry. As I drew the little hat, that character became something very special to me. Somehow as I looked at this little drawing that a small child could have drawn, all my tears and pain disappeared. I thought, “Thank You, Lord. This little drawing is just between You and me. It is so very simple, but it is truly special to me. It is such a good reminder to me to hold on to my JOY. Thank YOU!!!”

The next morning as my husband and I knelt for our morning prayer time, I began praying. My mind was concentrating on the people that I was praying for, when all of a sudden the Lord began speaking something to me. He brought that little drawing to my mind and said, “Sharon, that is to be called “Ms JOY”. You are to make that a section on the LDW site and tell your funny stories there.” I tried to continue praying, but I couldn’t.

I slowly began to put a few things of Ms JOY onto the site, but hesitated to tell any of my funny stories. Even on Facebook, I made the Ms JOY group, but still hesitated to tell any funny stories. Well, why the hesitation, you might ask. I’m sure that you have never hesitated in doing something, right?

Although JOY has always seemed very important to me, I have been amazed at the number of sour faced Christians I always found myself in the middle of. Frequently I was made to think that perhaps something was wrong with me, because JOY didn’t seem to even be in their thoughts or history, not to mention no where near their faces.

MY BOULDER

Isn't it amazing how more and more problems seem to creep onto your back? Before you know it, you are carrying a boulder full of problems and heaviness. A few years ago while visiting Okinawa, a great storm passed over the island. My daughter and I drove to a nearby beach and saw a large rainbow spanning across the sky above the ocean. It was very beautiful.


We walked out onto high rock cliffs to see the waves, as the water was spraying high into the air. I saw a large boulder and was reminded of the many things I was carrying inside of me. The Lord suddenly began talking to me. He said, "Sharon, look at that boulder. It looks like what you are carrying. It is so heavy and is weighing you down, but you continue to carry it, instead of giving it to me." I knew the Lord was talking to me, but I kept reasoning that some of those things I was carrying were my responsibility. I was supposed to carry them."


As I walked up to the rock, I could sense the heaviness of it. Just then, the Lord said, "Sharon, go ahead and step up to that boulder as though it is what you are carrying, because that is exactly how I see you. You walk around carrying this huge burden that is not yours to carry. Once you lift your hands and give it to Me, I will take it. I am waiting on you to let go so I can work on those problems. Well??? When are you going to let go?" I stood there thinking about lifting my hands. All of a sudden He said, "Everything??? Are you going to release EVERYTHING into My hands? That is all you have to do. It is that easy. Just release everything over to Me."


In the middle of our fun day out, I had to face myself and the burdens I was carrying. I was being required to make a choice right then and there. As I stood there, I began to realize how heavy I felt most of the time. Although I smiled and looked happy most of the time, I was always very, very heavy. I thought, "Sharon, what in the world are you waiting on? Give EVERYTHING to God. Let GO!!!!!" In just a minute, once I made the choice to let go of everything, OH MY! I became so much lighter.


I don't know what you may be carrying, but I can guarantee that it doesn't matter to God. He will lift it off of you, ONCE YOU LET GO!

GRANDMOTHER

GRANDMOTHER

(Sharon D. Corbett)

Have you ever noticed what grandmothers are like?

They seem to always be there when you think you are hidden.

They seem to know what you are thinking before you’ve spoken.

Some how they seem to know your heart is going to ache

While you think, you’re fine and your heart could never break.

Has she ever slipped you money, just when you were sure, you had enough?

Could it be that she might have need of a helping hand?

Have you ever looked at your grandmother’s eyes?

Did you feel they were seeing deep inside you?

Did you take time to look into hers?

No one seems to see the loneliness she is able to hide.

Are her hugs important to you, which melt your troubles away?

Have you taken time to hug your grandmother today?

Could she have pain that your hug would drive away?.

Remember the parties and dinners grandmother made?

She always wanted to make you feel important and loved.

There were clothes, quilts, crafts and special deserts she made.

Each item was designed just for you, often with your name.

Have you taken time to know what memories she is having –

Her losses…pains…sadness…loneliness…feeling unloved…?

Could she have painful memories your love would melt away?

Grandmothers are very special people.

They spend their time helping and giving to others.

There are many kinds of grandmothers, but a real one LOVES!!!

A real grandmother GIVES…SHARES…CARES!!!

You have been the receiver of all her love.

What memory have you recently made with your grandmother?

Could she be made special by your love and care which costs only yourself and time?