The Noticer: Sometimes, All a Person Needs Is a Little PerspectiveBy Andy Andrews / Thomas Nelson From the best-selling author of The Traveler’s Gift comes an absorbing story of boundless hope! Struggling against poverty, personal failures, and lost dreams, the residents of Orange Beach, Alabama, believe their lives are meaningless. But when an old drifter mysteriously makes his way through town, he brings new perspective—and spots the miracle they’re missing! 167 pages, hardcover from Nelson.

I am blessed to be part of the Thomas Nelson book review program. We were recently sent an opportunity to review a new book by Andy Andrews that had not even been released yet. The book is entitled “The Noticer”.  I really had no idea who Andy Andrew was but thought it looked good. I was not disappointed and actually will be checking out what else he has written. I love fiction, but honestly I really don’t have time to read just for the fun of it lately. It has to have a point or I quickly move to something that does. While this book is partly (and maybe mostly) fictional is does have a point. A very valid point. A very Godly point. The point is God loves you, and He knows what is best for you better than you know what is best for you. He is concerned with your eternal happiness not just the “for the moment” stuff that most folks think about. He has put us in our current situations and surroundings because He knows best and we need to be grateful and stop whining about it. That is the point. But Andrews says it so much better than I. And he actually puts it in story form where the main character is named Jones. But again the whole point is NOT about keeping up with the Joneses so even the name has a point.

“When you focus on the things you need, you will find those needs increasing. If you concentrate your thoughts on what you don’t have, you will soon be concentrating on other things that you had forgotten you don’t have- and feel worse! If you set your mind on loss, you are more likely to lose … But a grateful perspective brings happiness and abundance into  persons life”              spoken by “Jones”

Have you seen your fair share of trials, persecution, and just plain hard times? Has it ever crossed your mind that God is doing a work? Is it too hard to believe that He, the Creator of the Universe actually has things under control? The Noticer may be just your needed cup of tea. It really will give you a new outlook. I enjoyed it.