I reached a milestone recently in my life. It’s one I had been trying to pretend wasn’t going to happen. In fact, I ignored it for as long as possible. I was in denial, I guess. But, when one reaches the ripe old age of “I’m not 20 anymore”, this particular landmark just can’t be overlooked. Yes…the inevitable happened. I got glasses. They aren’t just “readers” which I had been covertly wearing for several years. No, they are 100%, “wear-all-the-time-so-I-can-see-the-hand-in-front-of-my-face” glasses!

I must tell you that now that I’ve been wearing them for about a month, I’ve made an amazing discovery: There is a whole new world out there! Let me amend that - I guess it was there all along, but now I can actually see it! It is astonishing how much my new glasses have helped. Well, they helped until I noticed the dust on the shelves and the crumbs on the table that I previously thought was clean! Hmmm. Oh well. So, getting glasses has opened up a bit more work for me, as now I actually have to clean my house, but the positives far outweigh the negatives.

One thing I had to do when I first got my glasses was to actually get used to seeing through them. You see, the lenses are progressive. There are three different prescriptions that progressively blend together starting at the bottom, for close up, to the top, for distance. The optometrist let me know that my eyes would adjust after about a week. To help with the transition, she said to just point my nose to what I wanted to look at. In other words, to focus, I needed to look at the subject I wanted to see.

That got me thinking. What do I want to see? To really see?

Well, for one thing, I know what I don’t want to see. I don’t want to see what I have been focused on in recent times. I don’t want my gaze continually on the past. That practice has been destructive and painful. Today is when I am living. God has brought me to this time and place with a purpose. I want to see that. I want to see today and the blessings and joys right in front of me!

“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.” (Proverbs 4:25)

And so, as I continue this journey of living fully in 2016, I will let my eyes look straight ahead and just like with my progressive lenses, “point my nose” at what is in front of me!


In His grip, 

Joan

35 Comments

  1. I love this analogy and how God used your new glasses to speak truth fresh into your heart. Yes, sometimes we focus so much on things which don't matter. Praying God gives me eyes to see what's truly important in the days ahead. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks, Abby! Isn't it amazing how God can use an everyday occurrence to give us fresh insights? Thanks for stopping by!

      Blessings, Joan

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  2. Great analogy! When I take my glasses off, life is a blur. When I try to walk through the day without Jesus, life is not only a blur- but it hurts without consolation!
    Loved your post!
    Happy Tuesday!!
    Megs

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    1. I sure don't want life to be a blur! Walking with Jesus, keeping my focus on Him is lifesaving! Thanks for stopping by, Megs! Blessings, Joan

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  3. I love this- living a life focused on God and not looking to the sides to see what others are doing- thanks for the encouragement!

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    1. I'm learning that focus is so important! I'm so glad that I'm looking in the right direction! Thanks for stopping by!

      Blessings, Joan

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  4. Oh yes Joan! Fixing my eyes on him right beside you at Holley's! I've worn glasses for years and the moments before I put in contacts or glasses in the morning are staggering in how fuzzy everything is. And I join you in the ranks of I'm not 20 anymore-- but I'm finding it to be way more glorious than I imagined because God is leading me to focus on the right things finally...! Thanks for your sweet story and reminder this morning. What a lovely site you have! Your shirt in the profile pic even goes with all the black and white ♥

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    1. That is true...things are better, brighter and more glorious when we allow God to lead us. God-focus is the key, isn't it? Thanks for stopping by and for the sweet comments about my blog! I had fun last week with the "remodel"!

      Blessings, Joan

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  5. Love this... "I don’t want my gaze continually on the past... Today is when I am living. God has brought me to this time and place with a purpose. I want to see that. I want to see today and the blessings and joys right in front of me!"
    Thanks for bringing fresh grace to my heart this morning! :)

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    1. Hi Valerie! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment in this space. I pray that as you live today God will bless you with clear vision of the beauty all around you!

      Blessings, Joan

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  6. Getting older, and what accompanies that, isn't for wimps. But, in Jesus, I believe the rest of our life can be the best of our life.

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    1. I'm counting on that, Elizabeth! LOL Thanks for stopping by!

      Blessings, Joan

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  7. What an eye catching perspective! It is always good to keep looking straight ahead because whenever I look back to see what has tripped me I usually run into something else. Our eyes may grow old as we ahem...age, but our hearts can stay forever young because Jesus gives us the abundant life. It is when we look at others with His eyes we finally know our vision is improving greatly. Happy Birthday and thanks for sprinkling JesusGlitter for all to see! I loved your post!

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    1. Thanks for your encouraging comment, Sheila! I know that when I look to Jesus, my sight is always clear!

      Blessings, Joan

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  8. Great post! I love the perspective! :-)

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    1. Thanks so much, Natalie! Focusing on God and our blessings will keep us on the right path!

      Blessings, Joan

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  9. What a cool connection to what the optometrist said! I hope we can all be a little more intentional about what we're looking at and really thing about where we are pointing our gaze, as you have to do with your glasses now :)

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    1. It takes determination to be intentional, but it is oh so worth it! Thanks for stopping by, Heather!

      Blessings, Joan

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  10. I guess it's all about where I point my nose! I'll need God's help for that, too! Thanks for this. next to you at 3-dlessons this morningincalifornia.

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    1. LOL! Yes, pointing our nose in the right direction is the thing to do! And, we can be sure that God will help us as we choose to look to HIm!

      Blessings, JOan

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  11. Great analogy! We need the Holy Spirit to bring into focus God's Word and His Will just as our glasses bring what we see into focus! Be encouraged, your words matter! God bless!

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    1. I guess we could say that the Holy Spirit is the perfect prescription! Thanks for your encouragement, Debbie!

      Blessings, Joan

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  12. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  13. Welcome to the world of progressive glasses, Joan. ha. I graduated from reading glasses to progressive glasses about 5 years ago, and although I still don't wear them all the time, I do LOVE being able to see with them! It didn't take me long to start remembering to take them with me wherever I go. May I have the same enthusiasm with spiritual sight and remember to keep those glasses on to see Truth and Love more accurately and enthusiastically. Great post.

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    1. Hi Lisa! I'm glad I'm not the only one in the progressive glasses club! :) Seeing clearly is wonderful and seeing more clearly spiritually is even better! I pray that my sight continues to improve as I learn to focus daily on Him!

      Blessings, Joan

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  14. I'm in the progressive glasses club, too - except when I misplace them, often on top of my head! I'm always needing God to help me focus on the truth and see what needs to be seen - often what is right in front of my nose! I would say your post was a 20/20! Shalom~!

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    1. As we lean on God, He'll always help us to focus and point us in the right direction! Thanks for your encouragement!

      Blessings, Joan

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  15. I really enjoyed this post! I went to the eye doctor recently and found out I also need glasses. This girl has always taken pride in her 20/20 vision, but I am now patiently waiting for those much-needed glasses to arrive. Thanks for this perspective. It's so important & profound!
    I found you via Grace & Truth. :)

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    1. Thanks, Alison! Getting glasses is a bit humbling, isn't it? I knew it was inevitable, but when the time came, I didn't want to believe it was true! But, the clarity that I now have is so worth it! Clarity in my spiritual life is even more important...I'm so glad that decided to intentionally look to God throughout my day. He keeps me on the right path!

      Thanks for stopping by from Grace & Truth!

      Blessings, Joan

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  16. Great analogy, Joan! One of the benefits I found of new glasses: less stumbling and tripping. I can see where I'm going!

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    1. Ooooh! I like that..."less stumbling and tripping"! When we keep our eyes focused on Him, we stay on the right path...the one chosen by Him!

      Blessings, Joan

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  17. Encouraging word! I realized something several years ago... With God, the best is ALWAYS yet to come. :) Blessings!

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    1. I'm SO thankful for that! Thanks for dropping by!

      Blessings, Joan

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  18. Always a great reminder about the narrow road. There is so much out there just waiting to derail us. Thanks for sharing your experience.

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    1. You're so right. Distractions abound in our world today. But, with help from God, we can keep our focus!

      Blessings, Joan

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