The Noticer

Recently, I have seen many bloggers posting about the new book "The Noticer" by Andy Andrew. Although, I have not read the book, I think the concept is a great one. So like many others I would like to notice a few people of my own. I know we are supposed to notice the top five people who have influenced our lives, but I just couldn't stop there.

So here are my top six....

6. My parents - although they made many mistakes and my childhood was one of much pain, where I came from brought me to where I am today. Without the mistakes and let downs of my past I would never of sought God or found a profoundly life changing relationship with Him. You see, it was in my pain that I looked for something to take it away. Without the past, I would not have the present. I would not have seen the glory of God so clearly without the healing and incredible miracles He has shown me. Today, I have a great relationship with both of my parents and love them dearly. They did the best they knew how to do at the time.

5. My grandmother - she was the one person in my life that showed me her full attention and gave me unconditional love. I don't think the woman ever spoke an unkind word to or about anyone. She was a person of great moral character and values. She was the picture of gentleness and grace. The softness (not weakness) that poured out of her was something that I will never forget. To top it off, when you where with her, there was no one other than you in her world. What I had in her as a child was her undivided, complete attention and love. When I spent time at her house there was no one or nothing more important than spending time with me. I learned what love looked like from her.

4. My first real love (boyfriend when I was 16-18) - this is the person that God used to tell me about Himself. At the age of 18 as we were breaking up, my boyfriend who had grown up in the church shared Christ with me. It was what started my journey with my Savior and Lord. This person spoke the words that changed my life and gave me a hope to live for. It is a hope that I still live for to this day. He was bold enough to share his faith even when we weren't going to be together any more. I thank him for his willingness to share.

3. The Moore family - I know we are supposed to pick a "person" but I really can't pick just one when it comes to this group. Jim Moore was the enthusiastic evangelist that rocked my world and brought me into my first church. Jim was my best friend’s boss when I was 18. After my boyfriend had shared Christ with me Jim picked up for God and brought me to a church. He was the most dynamic, on fire; Christ filled Christian I have ever met. He brought 30 people to Christ in a 6 month period and was put on staff at his church. I soon met his family, a mother and three sisters. His youngest sister by the name of Sherry became my best friend. His mother took me in and let me live with them. She became my surrogate Mom. The other two sisters became like older sisters to me. The entire family changed my life by becoming a family to me when I needed it desperately.

2. My husband - although we have only been together seven years, my husband was a gift from heaven. God blessed me with the most loving, supportive man that I could ever ask for. He has been there for me through some tough stuff. Facing my past and find healing was something very difficult but he stuck by me through it all. God gave me the biggest gift when He brought me my husband who has the biggest heart I know. On top of that I get to spend the greatest part of my life, the last, loving him.

1. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the biggest influence on my life, God himself. He is the reason I get up in the morning and the reason I lay my head down at night. He knit me together in my mother’s womb, He dreamed of me before I was born. He sought me out of darkness and gave me a new life. He is the one that loved me fully even when I couldn't say I loved Him back. I owe Him everything and I would gladly give all my worldly possession just for a moment with Him. He is the Father I had always craved and needed, the love of my life, my Savior and keeper. He is my reason for everything. HE IS EVERYTHING TO ME! I truly do love him with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind and with all my strength. I am His through and through, every ounce, every thought, and every pore belongs to Him.

What about you, who would you notice in your life?