WHEN I WAS A SMALL CHILD IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, THE TEACHER SAID THAT WE MUST MAGNIFY GOD. “IS GOD SO SMALL?” I WONDERED IN MY UNDEVELOPED MIND AS I IMAGINED HOLDING UP A MAGNIFYING GLASS . . . !
Psalm 69:30 KJV
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will MAGNIFY him with thanksgiving.

LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT IT WAS IN MY OWN MIND THAT I WAS RELEGATING GOD TO A LOW POSITION COMPARED TO ALL THE OTHER CONCERNS I WAS HARBORING.
Romans 1:21 KJV
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified ( MAGNIFIED ) him NOT as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

OUT OF THE DARKNESS GOD SPOKE TO THE CHILD [ME] AND SAID THAT I NEEDED TO BE MORE THANKFUL FOR OUR SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP…
Acts 10:46 KJV
For they heard them speak with tongues, and MAGNIFY God…

I HAD NO IDEA THAT SOMEDAY I, LIKE BELOVED PAUL, WOULD LONG TO JOIN JESUS, BUT WOULD CHOOSE TO STAY BECAUSE THERE WAS A LITTLE MORE WORK FOR ME HERE.
Philippians 1:22-24 KJV
But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. [23] For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: [24] Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

EVEN AS A CHILD – I LEARNED TO MAGNIFY GOD AT MIDNIGHT WHEN LIFE SEEMED SO DARK.
Acts 16:25 KJV
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Romans 8:18 KJV
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
AND THERE WAS MY (the child’s) REAL REWARD !!

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises ( MAGNIFY ) of Israel.
Psalm 22:3 KJV
AS I GOT MORE AND MORE GLIMPSES OF THE POWER OF MAGNIFYING GOD THROUGH HEARTFELT THANKFULNESS, I BEGAN TO REALIZE PEOPLE BECAME DRAWN TO ME – FIRST AS A CHILD AND AGAIN AS A MORE SEASONED WOMAN OF GOD. I USED TO WONDER WHY TOTAL STRANGERS WERE SMILING AT ME BUT THEN I CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF MYSELF IN A WINDOW, BEAMING WITH INESTIMABLE JOY !!
Revelation 4:11 KJV
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory ( MAGNIFY ) and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.