THAT TOOTH!
I knew it wasn’t going anywhere.
I could feel my dentist tugging and
struggling to get it out. My wisdom
tooth had a mind of its own and it was not giving in. After about twenty minutes of
trying, I knew it was over when
he asked if I could feel the tooth lower than the other teeth. After affirming his concern, he placed marking paper in my mouth and
had me bite down. He finished by filing the hard headed tooth to the level of
the others for my temporary comfort and referred me to a
surgeon.
All of this for a tooth that I really didn’t have much problem
with, that is until it broke.
The surgeon was a bit more optimistic. His specialty was for reconstructing jawlines and such after an accident or incident. I was assured that he could handle it because the hardest thing for my dentist to do, was the easiest thing for this man.
He had that tooth out in less than fifteen
minutes. Of course he had to break it into separate pieces, then pull the
root out. As he sewed the stitches in,
he explained that the root of the tooth
was so long, that there was no way it would have come out in the ordinary way.
This was my first tooth extraction, so I was just glad they got it out! The swelling, medications and food restrictions were another experience in
itself.
As always, life’s moments cause me to think.
ROOTS
The part of a plant that attaches it to the ground or
to a support, typically underground, conveying water and nourishment to the
rest of the plant via numerous branches and fibers.
When we think about roots, we also think about the origin of
something; or the connections to something that is growing.
Roots belong to something that is growing. "All our life,"(In my Oprah voice) "we have developed roots". We have roots that grew from our parents, our neighborhood, roots that came from our educational experiences and relationships. Think about your life, YOU have roots, we all do.
What roots do you have? Which ones do you need to keep nourishing?
Which ones are ‘broken’ and need to be
uprooted?
After experiencing my first tooth extraction, I realized
I have many roots in my life that are just as stubborn as that tooth. I have so many things that I do that are uniquely ME. Some of these things are harmless, just simple preferences that help me do my life easier. Other things can almost be shackles. The things that are good, I need to hold on to, those that are not, need to be uprooted.
EXTRACTION TIME!
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| Photo Credit: Sharon Hill Morris |
They say that pain is an indication that something needs to change.
What are you holding on to that you know needs to be uprooted, but it is familiar and feels RIGHT? How much pain are you willing to endure until you admit that something is wrong, until you reach for help? Is the thing you are struggling with worth the pain it is causing?
Interesting thing is, the tooth was genuinely mine, it belonged right there in my mouth. Something that at one time served me well, was now broke. In its brokenness, it was now hurting me instead of helping me. There was not really an option, it had to come out.
Some extractions are not your idea. Life happens and someone else makes a move that leaves you broken. Other times it is from poor care or lack of nourishment. Whatever brings you to the realization that change is needed, don’t ignore it. The root begins to support emotions like anger or depression. It might support unforgiveness or habits that never allow you to get out of a rut. Some roots are nourishing bad attitudes or a poor self image. It may have started in innocence, but once things break, they are no longer beneficial to you. Depending on how deep the roots are, you may need a specialist.
We all know that God specializes in things that seem impossible.
His word will guide us through eliminating habits and things that no longer work for who we are or who we are becoming. You didn't choose your roots, they came with your upbringing and environment. But if you have or do anything that is harmful to you, or others, whether it is a habit, moods, a way you deal with family, or even rituals that you refuse to look at that might offend others. We need to think about it. Just because it was part of what looked like your origin, who you are and who you are designed to be is greater than that.
Sometimes we say,
“This is who I am, I have always been this way.”
"My mom/dad were the same way, it runs in our family."
"I don't think I am the one with the problem, they hurt me."
That tooth was the same. It was mine. I grew it, I nourished it over the years, and it didn't bother me until it broke and I felt the pain. Keeping some habits and mindsets can prove to be more painful to your future, and the places you want to go.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all. Psalms 34:17-20
Know that God provides a way for us to deal with every pain in life. First we need to acknowledge it and trust Him to fix it. He is the Specialist.
ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN LOVE!
Not everything that seems to be broken is. Sometimes we just have not used it the way we were supposed to and need to get back to our roots. Our roots are in LOVE. God is LOVE. No matter what we go through in life, love finds a way to remain when we hold to His word. When we love people, sometimes we adjust ourselves to better serve them. That is not being walked over, that is considering others in love.
When His LOVE remains, His JOY remains.
No one should be able to move us, discourage us or cause us to doubt the love of God for us or His love for others. In our world today, if we are not rooted in love, we will lose it. But let's get connected to our spiritual roots!
What you see on TV should not uproot you. Talk of racial divides and unfairness in our political or justice system should not uproot you. No matter how much the enemy tugs at your life, financial concerns and relationships, don't be moved. God is in your roots, stay connected to Him and His word. After having done all to stand....STAND.
I will leave you with what the word of God says about His commitment to stay connected to you.
Ephesians 3:16-21 says:
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, He may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through His Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Colossians 2:6-7 says
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Psalms 62:6
He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
Psalms 16:8
I keep the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved
Just like that stubborn tooth, there are roots that we have in God that should not be easily uprooted.
Stay connected to God!
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