Why am I putting myself through this?

Last Monday I went to my dentist. Okay, he’s not just “my” dentist, a lot of people use his services to help them with their teeth. That’s a good thing since I’ve been blessed with quite healthy teeth. Any dentist would go out of business if I was their only victim, I mean, patient.

He’s apparently good at what he does because this made two Mondays in a row I’ve been in to that office.

Two weeks ago I had a regular cleaning. I didn’t actually see much of the dentist that time just the tooth cleaning lady. I know she has a title that goes with her position, I just don’t want to slip and call her by some of the names that entered my mind while she gave me occasional discomfort.

I’ve never made it a habit of going to any dentist every six months as they request that I do. Not my dentist, nor anybody else’s.

They’re quick to remind me that my insurance is paying for it all. So, why not come in that frequently? I guess I’m not too keen on having a bright light shining in my face while somebody I was having a pleasant conversation with just a few minutes previously is causing me such discomfort that I’m giving her a few uncharacteristic titles.

Maybe that’s just me, but, this is my blog and I can rant if I want to here.

The reason I returned to my dentist last week was because of a bad habit I practiced over seventeen years ago. I decided that eating an orange a day would keep the cold bugs away during the long cold Michigan winters.

I think the added vitamin C did help my health, but the citric acid was quite fond of my tooth enamel, apparently. I went to a dentist back in the day when I had good insurance for my occasional cleaning only to discover that I had seven shallow cavities that needed a metallic substance put in them; or so that my dentist said.

Come to find out that metallic substance isn’t as good for my teeth as was once thought. I think. Because this my dentist convinced me to replace those metallic substances with plastic substances up in this day.

If this isn’t making sense to you perhaps you need a trip to “your” dentist for a dose of mouth pain-killer, because it’s making total sense to me.

As I was lying there in much discomfort, even with my mouth numbed, I realized that tooth cleaning lady was probably the nicest person in the building, except for maybe the lady taking my money as I left. Although giving my money away is never a pleasant feeling, either.

The question that worked through my head was, “why am I putting myself through this?”

The insurance company apparently thought this was a wise decision since they were footing most of the bill, but, was all this agony with silent screaming really worth it?

The words of Jesus echoed in my noggin. “In this life you will have trouble–read discomfort.” Yeah, I was definitely experiencing a bad part of this life in that moment.

Fortunately He didn’t stop there. “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I knew the long-term results would out-weigh the discomfort I was going through at that time. Just as the joys of heaven will out-measure anything this cursed world throws at me.

By accepting God’s gift to me that was laid down at the foot of the cross I have a confidence that there’s coming an eternal day when all the pains of this life will vanish into an ever-lasting peace.

That’s why I endure all the discomfort to tell others of this amazing opportunity made possible by the One who overcame the world through His sacrificial death.

I pray you experience that same hope.

Keep smiling.   Wade

 

By wadewebster

I'm a truck driver turned writer. My writing drives people to Jesus. I love sunsets/sunrises, dark chocolate, coffee, cats and dogs (as long as their owners pick up after them) and solitude. My relationship with God through Jesus Christ is most important to me, not a religion. This writing gig is all God's idea. I only wish to bring more attention to Jesus with it.

2 comments

    1. Thanks, Deb.
      Keep your eyes peeled the first Monday in June for a video I recorded right after I got home from that dentist visit. I’m getting as much mileage out of that experience as I can. 😉

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