I picked out new eye glasses this week. The gal who helped me laid two dozen pairs on the table. Ever since the practice has been working with an optometry consulting firm, they’ve really improved the service they provide and also the range of glasses they have available. I tried each one on, eliminating those I didn’t like, placing the maybes in another pile. Finally, we whittled my choices down to three. I carefully tried these on again, imagining wearing them every day for the next two years. What I wanted was a pair that would hide my wrinkles, show off my blue eyes, and match everything in my closet. No wonder I was having trouble making a decision – the thought of getting laser surgery from somewhere like SharpeVision (https://sharpe-vision.com/chicago/) even crossed my mind so I wouldn’t ever have to go through this process again. Perhaps I should have placed a focus on the glasses’ ability to protect my eyes from an overexposure of blue light coming from screens around the home which can damage your eyes and have an adverse effect on your mental health. If this is a concern for you, look at this and you can learn about glasses that can filter this blue light out and reduce screen glare. Additionally, people suffering from eye problems like this might also want to consider looking into the eye vitamins from Quantum Health, for example. They should help people to improve their eyesight and keep their eyes healthy.
I bought a pair of glasses that day. Ones I thought were perfect, but sadly they fell short of my true needs, since I should have visited retina health specialists to take care of my needs. What I really need are frames that do a lot more than make me look better. What I need is a pair of lenses that help me see my world in a new way. For those with active lifestyles, options like PRK for athletes offer a long-term solution beyond traditional eyewear. And those looking for hair extensions may check out easy to apply clip in hair extensions for daily glam.
My eyes are clouded by misconceptions and past hurts. New glasses would help me see more of my husband’s good qualities and fewer of the things I wish he’d change about himself. I can go all day and be so caught up in the worry and regrets in my heart, that I never see the beauty of God’s creation. What I should’ve asked the optometrist for was a pair of glasses that would help me see the pain in my friends’ faces. When they say they are okay, I want to see truth. The one whose rebellious son is breaking her heart, the one whose marriage keeps her from sleeping at night, and the one who mourns the loss of a parent. Do you suppose my optometrist sells a pair like that?
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Cr 13:12 KJV)
About Judy
Judy Bodmer is the author of When Love Dies: How to Save a Hopeless Marriage (Thomas Nelson). She wrote this book from her heart. It’s about her struggle to find happiness in her own marriage and is about her journey to the edge of divorce and back again. You can buy a copy where most books are sold. Leave a comment and win a copy for yourself or for a friend.
You can find more about Judy at www.judybodmer.com or https://writetoinspire.blogspot.com.
Leave a comment for Judy Bodmer to enter to win a copy of her life-changing book, When Love Dies. Winner randomly chosen on Tuesday, 8-27-13 and announced the next day. Winner has one week to respond. USA only.
Congratulations to Martha S., the winner of Christa Allan’s book, Walking on Broken Glass, from last week’s guest blog post.
New to me…would love to win.
Thanks for your comment. Please leave an email address or contact info should you win!
Would love to win a copy! kayenewman@aol.com
Thanks!
Thanks for writing!
Judy you sound like a pretty smart woman and look great if these are the new glasses…..I think IF glasses would do the trick of helping us see more of what we should see in others, we would all wear them.
I like your writing today and would love to read this book.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
Thanks, Paula. These ARE my new glasses. You can find it in both electronic and hardcopy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble. and Christianbooks.com I hope you win the free copy. I wish I could send everyone a free copy.
Very nice to meet you Judy. Your book looks very interesting. Having been married for 46 years, sometimes we see the fault(s) in our spouse much more than ourselves. Marriage is tough but it’s doable with God’s help. Thanks for the opportunity to win your book. Have a great day.
God Bless,
Alyson King Jenkins
Alyson_jen@msn.com
Thanks, Alyson. I work hard at being happily married. Marriage isn’t for wimps. God bless. Judy
would love to win. Angela from KY
angelachesnut246@gmail.com
Thank you for entering, Angela!
Good morning, Judy and Kate!
Good morning to you, Lesley! If you wish to enter to win a copy of Judy’s book please leave an email address or contact info. Thanks!
Morning to you Lesley M. I hope you win.
Like your analogy and style of writing. I know I would love your book!
This is a book I whole heartedly recommend, Sonya!
I would really like to have this and read it.
Hopefully I will be fortunate enough to win a copy.
I think anyone would benefit from reading this fabulous and insightful book, Loretta! I marvel at how transparent Judy was when she wrote it
Thanks for the chance to win Judy’s book!
rcourts@twc.com
You are welcome, Tammy!
I’ve worn glasses for 60 years. I can relate to what you are saying for sure.
Thanks for entering me in the giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for leaving a comment! I can sure relate to Judy’s post, myself.
I need glasses.I have reading glasses but notice my eyes are getting worse.Thanks for sharing and I would love to win your book.jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com
Even though my eyesight is diminishing bit by bit, I keep noticing the specks in others’ eyes, Jackie. Judy Bodmer was incredibly honest and transparent when writing her book, far braver than I am.
hello kate and judy i felt that your blog was truly from your heart but it might br heartbreaking to truly see someones hurt through your eyes and sometimes not knowing how to help but we all rely on God to help guide our hearts the right path i would love to recive your book kimingram46@yahoo.com thank you for all the hard work you two ladies do in bringing us all wonderful reading books.
This book is both poignant and uplifting, Kimmie! Thanks for writing!
Kimmie,
Sometimes all we need to do is listen. We don’t need to know what to say. A hug will do.
I have a good friend I’ve been praying for who could really use this book!
Kim R.
This book could save a marriage or relationship, Kim! Please stop back and leave an email address or contact info.
I’d be glad to send my info to an e-mail address if I win. I get a lot of crazy spam and am hesitant to put that info out on the Internet. I’m so tired of getting e-mails from Nigeria. Thanks, Kate!
Understandable, but what if a dozen Kims contact me? My Webmaster and i have tried to come up with a better plan and are open to your ideas. Really difficult when an Anonymous enters and leaves no first name either.
I also wish my new glasses could see those things. But for now, I will need to trust in my heart and soul to see that which God shows me. I can be contacted at cfernstaedt@gmail.com
Cynthia,
Thanks for your comment. Lean on Him and he will show you the way. I am amazed how often he answers my prayers about the things I cannot see. Especially when it comes to things about my marriage.
humm!! sounds a little like my life!! divorce and all !! maybe there is hope for us women!!
sorry forgot e mail !! morris.jackie49@yahoo.com hope to win!
Jackie,
There is always hope. That’s what I love about following Jesus, the God of second chances. That’s what Kate’s books are about. Have a great day.
What great insight. I also need a pair of glasses like that.
susanmsj@msn.com
Thanks for your comment, Susan. If I find the store that sells a pair, I’ll let you know. God bless.
Oh my goodness, I would love to win this book. Even though my marriage isn’t on the edge I would love to read this book. I always feel I am too hard on my husband at times. Why doesn’t he see my needs, etc, etc, etc. I need to take the speck out of my own eye! Hoping I can learn some great things from this book to make my marriage better! (I too need new glasses. Wouldn’t it be great if suddenly my eyes were truly opened?!)
Blessings!
Judy B
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’ve been told by my readers that it’s helped them tremendously even though their marriage isn’t in trouble. I wish I could give everyone a free copy. God bless you and your marriage.
My husband and I came close to divorcing early in our marriage. A sad situation in a lot of ways. But God is gracious and saved our marriage. I am so thankful because I wouldn’t have my dear sweetheart or my 4 (plus 2 in heaven) beautiful children. Sounds like a good read!!
Jolene, I’m also grateful I stayed in my marriage and worked through our problems. I know that not everyone has made this choice. God is a god of second chances and willingly forgives those who made other choices. I never judge because I have no idea what that other person went through. The decision to leave a marriage is a difficult one. I have had women come up to me and say they wished they’d tried harder because of the hardship it put their children through.
Enjoyed your post, Judy, so true! I would like to win your book for those friends of mine that have troubled marriages. Thanks for the opportunity!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
I wish I could send a copy to everyone who has entered. I hope you’re chosen too.
I also need new glasses. I have let my hair grow back to its natural color which is silver so my gold glasses don’t match my hair or face anymore. I’m not looking forward to picking out a new pair. My husband and I have been married for over 30 years and during that time we have had some good times and have gone thru some hard times. I would love to win your book and learn how to make our marriage a better one so there are more good times than bad ones for the next 30 years. srpaulsen3@gmail.com
Shaun,
I had that problem with my glasses. When my hair turned gray, nothing fit me any longer–the colors of my wardrobe, my makeup, and my glasses. Every marriage goes through tough times. I’ve had many women tell me that I’ve written their story.
Hi there, I loved this post and think many of us can relate to it. I was told as a very young wife and christian to stop focusing on what my hubby did to me but to look at things from his vantage point. Not always easy to do! We’ve been married for 35 years and I believe that we need to love our husbands as Christ loves them.
I’d love to have a chance to win this book.
Blessings,
Noreen
werhis3@gmail.com
I keep reminding myself that God calls us to love–not to be loved. I fear I am selfish and often think about my own needs first. Marriage is a journey and some of the stops along the way are pleasant and some are places that I don’t want to visit ever again, but one thing I’ve learned–if I want long enough, we move on. Prayer is an amazing tool.
I always try to find the good in others first.
Kathy Faberge
finulhour@sbcglobal.net
I always try to find the good in others too, Kathy. But sometimes … Well, sometimes I need to try harder
Great post! It is easy to point out faults in others but as they say when you point a finger at someone, 3 fingers are pointing back at you! Good goal this week to find something good in everyone I meet starting at home with my family. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
dmcfarl101(at)juno(dot)com
Thank you, Linda, for reminding me about those three fingers pointing back at me! Good luck on winning Judy Bodmer’s fabulous book!