Are You For Real?

From his home underneath the pier at Gulf State Park on the beautiful beach of Alabama’s coast, Andy’s perspective was anything but beautiful. He had just finished crying the kind of tears that a man doesn’t want anybody else to know about … the kind of tears that express deep sorrow and hopelessness. He had lost sight of what life had to offer, and what he had to offer to the world. In Andy’s mind, he had received nothing, and he had nothing to give. But that day, someone had heard his sobbing. He introduced himself as ‘Jones,’ and asked if Andy could spare one of the Coke’s he had stolen from the fridge of an unattended beach house. He took the Coke and settled himself in the sand outside Andy’s home under the pier. It was time to invest a little wisdom in this young man’s life, and Jones had a way to talking so that people listened.

Jones had a different perspective from most people. He could see potential even in the most bleak situations, and he had a way of cracking the door open just wide enough so that others could get a glimpse of that potential too. That was his gift, and that was what he came to share with Andy that day … a glimpse of what life COULD be.

The Noticer is an inspirational book which would be great to read in short bursts, because each chapter details a separate encounter with the mysterious drifter named Jones. This lovable character has a knack for showing up at the most opportune time to offer insight to neighbors who are disheartened or desperate. There was little or no mention of God or His wisdom, so I missed that aspect in the lives of Andrew’s characters, however the story line was creative and clean and the advice was insightful and practical.

A couple years ago, my family and I enjoyed listening to the audio version of another Andrews’ book called The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success while we were on a camping trip. Using the lives of historical personalities like Lincoln, Anne Frank, and Truman, Andy Andrews weaves together an interesting storyline which offers the same kind of practical advice as he does in the The Noticer. Both of these books are well suited for family reading, because they open the door to conversations about important life lessons and character traits.

The Noticer: Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective.

This is my personal review of The Noticer, written by Andy Andrews, and published by Thomas Nelson.

I enjoy reviewing books as a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program.

Keeping it real,

Tags: Andy Andrews, The Noticer, Thomas Nelson