This picture was taken of me around Christmas time, during the late 1970’s.
Every year, about a week or so after Christmas, all of my dad’s brothers, his sister, and their families would head to my grandparents’ farm in Indiana for the annual, “Corbin Christmas.” We would exchange gifts, enjoy meals together, and run around the property playing in the snow, chasing each other, laughing, and making memories.
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My mother told me years ago that this was one of her favorite pictures of me. She said that she could see the young girl I was, and glimpses of the woman I would become. It didn’t make sense to me then, but it does now.
As I look at the picture today, I see the little girl, with her head down, because she didn’t like much attention centered on her. She was more comfortable with being in the background, content to watch others and be by herself. And she enjoyed it.
To many, she was called extremely shy, and she was, but she was also a deep thinker, very sensitive to the feelings of others, and preferred to not have the focus on her.
When she made friends in school, she preferred one best friend over many and still remembers their names to this day– even though she moved away from them over thirty-five years ago.
She was different and often “teased” for being too short, too quiet, for not fitting in, or for the fact that she was a slow reader and needed extra help from the teacher.
But God knew what He was doing when He, “created my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13).
He knew her sensitivity to others could grow into a compassion for people.
He knew He could draw her out from the sidelines, and help her befriend others possibly standing alone and maybe shy like herself.
He knew the extra help reading, with her teacher and her mom, would give her the confidence to persevere in school and many of the tasks He brings to her. Oh and by the way, she reads anything she gets her hands on now. 🙂
He knew all the heartaches, difficulties, and challenges she faced could be opportunities for Him to use her for His Glory through His Comfort, Guidance, and Grace.
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It all began when I was around the age in the picture and I gave my heart and my life to Jesus. He is the reason I am who I am today.
You know, I never used to like the young girl in this picture for all the reasons stated above. I was too different. But I love her now.
Once God got a hold of me, He took all of my insecurities, doubts, and “obstacles” and over time turned them into something amazing and useable for His Glory!
Go ahead, see the difference in me now, and let me tell you about the Source–Jesus–and the difference He can make in your life and the lives of others!!
All the Glory to God!!!
Shanon
Image of 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 by Heartlight®Gallery. heartlight.org. https://www.heartlight.org/gallery/3358.html
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