What You See Is What You Get! {Winner of Give-Away Announced!}

I like making new friends but it brings me equal pleasure to introduce others to new friends. That must explain my happy place today. I’m excited to connect all of you lovelies with a sweet, funny, smart woman!

I met my new friend a couple of years ago at a speaker/writers conference. To this day I give God thanks for putting us together. She’s the kind of person that’s quick to make you laugh but life experiences infused with faith have given her strong, broad shoulders. I know. I’ve cried on them more than once. I’m grateful she loves people as much as she loves Jesus.

Lauren is also a lover of words. Even more she’s a lover of the Word. The moment Lauren puts pen to paper or mouth to mike it becomes abundantly clear…Lauren loves God’s word. I’m so excited for you to hear from Lauren Fletcher. Read below and be blessed!

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I read a lot of children’s books to my first graders and to my grandchildren, but one particular book, Ladybug at Orchard Avenue, has left a lasting impression on me.

The highly magnified pictures in this book reveal a ladybug and an ant fighting over which insect will eat the aphids they both want.  Illustrations alone turn this very simple book into a frightening adventure. Because of extreme magnification, an otherwise miniature ant looks like a monster from a sci-fi movie and the ladybug, one of nature’s cuter insects, ceases to be attractive.

The ladybug’s fate seems uncertain until the very end of the story. The larger than life illustrations definitely set the tone for and increase the tension in the story. So, why, you might ask, did this have such an impact on me?  It reminded me that the way I look at things determines my perceptions, thoughts, reactions, and even my expectations.

I realized that there are times when I use an invisible “magnifying glass” on circumstances or people that are better seen just as they are. Even more importantly, I became aware that the beauty of some things only becomes enhanced when magnified many times.

The Bible gives a list of things better seen in enhanced detail.

“…Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT 

I’m a list maker so I decided to make a list of things worthy of praise to God.

• One list includes answered prayers and examples of God’s provision and care throughout my entire life.
• Another list contains God’s gifts to us:  Jesus, the Holy Spirit, eternal life, His love…
• And, yet another lists names and attributes of God.

When I find myself feeling anxious, worried, angry, or fearful, I have come to realize that I have been examining a situation in larger detail than is beneficial.

I have learned that reading my “worthy of praise” lists moves my focus and changes my perspective immediately to one of faith, thankfulness, and anticipation of what God will do in my current situation.  This is not my original remedy, but God’s.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” Philippians 4:6 NKJV

A great “magnifying glass mentor” is Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus.

Humanly speaking, Mary found herself in what some would call a real pickle. She faced serious consequences for pregnancy before marriage and was most likely subjected to ridicule for claiming that the child she was carrying was from God. Her fiance contemplated breaking off the engagement.

However, she very deliberately decided where to focus her thoughts.

“ …Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,…” Luke 1:46 NKJV

Mary’s praise continues, “… And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.  For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.  And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.” Luke 1:46,47,49,50 NKJV

This is the thankful praise of a woman who focused her magnifying glass on our mighty, holy, and merciful God!  As a result, her spirit rejoiced, she was peaceful in the face of uncertainty and she finished her assignment from God!

What are you going through right now?

What will you magnify?

We must make our decisions carefully. A lot is at stake. My prayer for us today:

Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, [And] revive me in Your way. – Psalm 119:37 NKJV

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Confession. I took the last verse Lauren shared from Luke (Mary’s prayer of praise) and copy/pasted it so I could print it off and carry it with me. I needed to carry this reminder of what I should be magnifying! I hope Lauren’s wisdom blessed you like it did me!

And now for the winner of the Ever Thine Home napkin ties! Drum roll please for…

“dbpayton” from Oregon! 🙂

Please email me your mailing information to info@doaheadwoman.com and I’ll get them in the mail ASAP. I want you to have them in time for Thanksgiving dinner!

I’ll be back on Thursday. In the meantime, let’s cheer on one another over at DoAhead’s FB page. It’s time to focus less on our behinds and more on our DoAheads!

Your DoAhead Friend,