My daughter, Neely, is full of life with big blue eyes and her daddy\u2019s humor. She laughs hysterically at anything related to flatulence, stands firm on all rules given and dissects life\u2019s moments. As she grins ear to ear, a baby tooth dangles like a grape on a vine. My husband\u2019s shivering response to my personal excitement as a dental hygienist is \u201cthat\u2019s creepy, when will she lose that tooth?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You could assume wiggling out my daughter\u2019s baby teeth would be a smooth experience since dentistry is my day job. But not even close. Tears, fear, and coaxing took up most of this season as the tiny white shapes kept shedding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the world of dentistry, Neely\u2019s tooth was simply overdue for removal, practically flapping in the wind. But my daughter was truly terrified. Each time I approached her with experienced dental hands she began to hyperventilate, shuddering with fear. She would wail \u201cI want to get it out, but I\u2019m so scared mom, like SO scared!\u201d Most nights would turn into a session of coaxing her into a headlock only to end with a \u201cforget it, we\u2019ll do it later\u201d outcome! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One night as we repeated the struggle, something larger and deeper began to unfold. Neely began to cry tears of fear and frustration as she ran to her room saying, \u201cI asked God to just make it fall out, but it didn\u2019t happen\u201d! I found Neely tucked inside her rainy-day tent we had assembled earlier in the week. As I crouched beside her, I noticed the scriptures taped on the walls inside the tent for home d\u00e9cor. Pondering how to fix this scenario the words, \u2018God is our protection, new strength and trust\u2019 caught my attention\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Psalms 46:1 on a jagged edged paper torn from her notebook stated \u201cGod is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble\u201d, and Isaiah 40:31 was beautifully written with a blunted crayon, \u201cBut those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I pointed to these God ordained words, I asked my daughter to read them aloud. Reluctantly, she mumbled<\/em> each one to me. It hit me like an arrow to my heart; this moment was beyond \u201cplucking the grape off the vine\u201d. This was a teachable moment for my daughter\u2019s faith in her heavenly Father. Neely insisted I did not understand her fear and did not have the problems she had. She repeatedly said \u201cMama, I don\u2019t know how not<\/em> to be scared, I\u2019m just scared. But I do want<\/em> this problem- this tooth, gone\u201d!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doesn\u2019t that hit so close to home? Isn\u2019t that such an honest and relatable statement for our own lives as adults? We want to follow God\u2019s plan or perhaps jump into His timing, yet we are truly terrified of what that entails. My daughter had asked \u201ccan you promise me it will for sure<\/em> come out when you pull without hurting<\/em>?\u201d We too, tend to ask this. Will the matter work out? Will I accomplish the task without turmoil and disappointment? These are thoughts we have wrestled with as adults. But my honest answer to Neely\u2019s question, as well my own thoughts was simply no<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I could not promise Neely it would seamlessly glide out as I yanked, nor does God promise us a life with no heartache, no challenges, nor obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our minds will be flooded with doubt and fear, but scripture replaces those with God\u2019s truth. God\u2019s promises lie within His truth- \u201cthose who trust in the Lord will find new strength and He will always help in times of trouble,\u201d Isaiah 40:31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who will find strength? Those who believe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What type of strength? New strength.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When will it surface? During trials<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As I attempted to break this scripture down for my daughter\u2019s mind, it grasped my own. Our Father\u2019s power will pour into us stirring new strength<\/strong> that overcomes all things when we believe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I reflected on my own fears in life, the ones my daughter knew nothing about. But God reminded me not to simply read the d\u00e9cor on the walls, but to take them to heart and believe <\/strong>in His promises<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That moment of frustration stemming from a loose tooth and a stubborn child turned into a moment to deepen my daughter\u2019s faith. Notice the big picture; we weren\u2019t just pulling teeth that evening. And in case you were wondering, the tooth was not pulled that night, but that\u2019s ok. I know God is patiently awaiting her trust and deepening mine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Neely chose the song of the week. She loves this song and I just recently reminded her to truly listen to the lyrics and take them to heart as I hope you will too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n