Distraction of Dentists
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:11
It has been over 50 years since that unfortunate airborne experience, but I still remember it as if it were yesterday. We lived in a house next door to a church and our driveway was connected to the parking lot. Being recently repaved, it was the perfect place to ride bikes. I had an old cruiser handed down to me by my sister, but my younger brother had a shiny new English racer with handbrakes. He had worked for months to save enough money to purchase this new bike and was extremely protective. I was thrilled when he decided to let me ride it.
I climbed onto the bike and was enthralled with how smooth and fast it travelled on the new asphalt. I was doing figure eights, riding one end to the other with the wind in my hair. As I looped around the parking lot, I was completely unaware of my older brother, who had just arrived in the family car to practice for his driver’s test. When I looked up, he was backing up and heading straight for me.
In my twelve year old mind, I thought he was teasing me with a harmless game of chicken and would stop before hitting me. Little did I realize, he never saw me. It was like a slow-motion film as I watched the front wheel of the bike crash into the back bumper. I was still laughing thinking it was all a joke when my body was thrown uncontrollably over the handlebars into the trunk of the car. I can’t imagine the horror in my older brother’s mind when it happened.
The instant we collided, he slammed on the brakes and jumped out of the car. I was still lying on the trunk, while the mangled bike lay on the ground behind the bumper. The next thing I remember, was sitting outside the house with my shocked parents assessing my injuries. My knees were scraped and bruised but it was my front teeth or lack there of, that caused the greatest concern. I had two fangs hanging out, which ultimately required many hours in a dentist chair having root canals, crowns, pegs, and a host of other procedures.
I know that for many, the dentist is the last place people want to spend time. However I needed help and the dentist was my only answer. I had to wait for two days, because it was Saturday night and there was not an emergency dentist available on Sundays. So I experienced excruciating pain as the roots of the teeth were exposed and very sensitive to any temperature change. When I finally got to the dentist, he was only able to put temporary caps on until he assessed the damages with molds and x-rays. Eventually through many visits, the dentist was able restore my smile, but underneath the repairs, the damage to my original teeth was permanent.
So it is with other challenges in our lives. God desires us to take each situation to Him for restoration. He cannot change the actual events, but is able to strengthen, heal, and renew our spirits. How many times do we hold onto things and wait before seeking the Lord? Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:11
Over the years I have spent hours with numerous dentists, but my favorite is actually my brother, not the one who was driving the car, but the one, who eventually forgave me for ruining his brand new English racer. What situation can Christ make new for you today?
Dear Lord, Thank you for restoring all things that I bring to you. Help me to realize there is nothing in my life that you cannot handle. Amen.