“In God, whose Word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56:4

Moving toward an appointment I had made, irony seemed to be lurking from every angle. For the second day in a row I found myself driving to a busy section of town. Driving during Florida tourist season just makes me irritable. Being ‘frugal,’ I also hate paying for things that are no fun. Yesterday it was $180. Today was going to be $1200! All because a man I highly trusted had sent me here. Topping it off, I was greeted by the staff, not once, but 3 times with, “HEY.. HOW YA DOIN?” Smiling, I rolled my eyes and said… “I’m Blessed… but do you really use that same line on EVERYBODY?”

Normally, people freak out at the thought of a root canal. Mention the word ‘dentist’ and most folks break out in a sweat! Ironically, the first thing the assistant did was take my blood pressure! Though it had never been checked on any previous dentistry, I knew my blood pressure would be normal. The gauge to register the ‘off the chart’ reading has not been invented yet and would have to go around my wallet! But in my mind, the money was already gone! So I thought I’d make the best of it.

I wore short sleeves and had a couple Christian Bible bands around my wrist. Mentioning I was in ministry as my profession, I had dropped Jesus hints all over the place. For obvious reasons I did NOT want to be the irritable one in the room. When the dentist placed that tent thing over my mouth and I could no longer talk, I prayed, covertly twisted my wrist so the full message of those bands might come into their view… then fell asleep.

Though I had never met this specialist before today, I had total trust in the doctor’s abilities. Why? Because I trusted the man who had sent me here. I went to him to check out an increasing pain in my tooth, he analyzed it and appointed me here. There was NOTHING MORE for me to do than to follow through on his recommendation. Even though it was going to COST ME more!

I can say for sure that NO one in that office sensed my irritability at losing both time and money. I made SURE of that! I wanted them to see ‘JESUS’ in me. NOT ‘ME’ in me. The cavity being fixed was caused by a natural degenerative process in which I had proven incapable and incompetent at stopping. Ironically… mortal life has the same issue!

I was born into death. In my own strength and ability, I am incapable and incompetent at stopping its consequence. But I have discovered that the painful process of restoration had already been paid by someone else FOR me. To me, the pains of life are an inconvenience. To HIM… they were DEADLY and BRUTAL! Giving my life into His hands in exchange for His, I need not be anxious…EVER! In fact, He asks I be His representative to the world THROUGH any pain I run into. Ironic huh?

Since getting home, yesterday I have brushed my teeth 6 times and gargled 3 times with a fluoride rinse! So… “How are YOU doing?”