The Dentist

This is one of my favorite stories. There was a time when my teeth (the front teeth) were in bad shape. They were literally being chipped away, over a whole lifetime of chewing my nails. My teeth have always been weak and I’ve gone to the dentist more times than I can even count. I am so used to the chair, I often fall asleep while getting worked on-

My front teeth were hurting and this has been an issue that was building quickly for a couple weeks. This day, this time, I was in SO much pain. I could not even touch the front tooth without it buckling me to my knees. I needed the work in a bad way. The problem was, I was not in good financial standing with my current dentist office. But I knew I couldn’t get through the day. Speaking of that day, A good customer came to pick up some food. He asked how I was doing. When someone asks me this, I am always honest. I will literally tell you how I feel. So He asked, and I told him. I told him of my unbearable pain. He looks at me and says “Phil, I am a dentist. I can help you!” (Side note-I have learned how to take favors from people, but this took time. I now know that if someone wants to help you out with a favor, it is often god wanting to bless you and use the one that is offering the favor. I have also learned, it really is a blessing to give to others, and if someone does not take an offering of help, they are often stealing that blessing from one who wants to give. I often tell those who will not take help “Please don’t take that from me, I want to do this”) So, my dentist friend ended up crowning/replacing all four of my front teeth. He even showed me the lab where they would make the teeth and introduced me to the team. Now this process is not only three visits, but replacing my four front teeth could be anywhere from $8,000-$10,000. Long story short, my friend tells me he will not take my money. This work was on the house.

Here is the best part of this experience. Go back about two weeks when the pain was first starting. Before the dentist, before the day of extreme pain. There I was, feeling the uncomfortableness in my teeth and knowing I would have to address this problem…and soon. I prayed. But this time I prayed a little different than I have ever prayed before. It was very uncomfortable for me. It was awkward. I was going to ask God for new teeth. I have been raised to thank God for the things He provides that we truly need. If we ask God for video games and bikes (you get the picture) it is a reflection of what you value and what you want. Not super appropriate or mature. I felt like asking God for new teeth was asking too much and looked at the request like a video game or bike request. I told God that. I told Him I knew there are huge problems out there and I feel really weird asking for this, but if He would (not could) give me teeth I would love that. I told Him I couldn’t even imagine how he would do that or swing it, but I would appreciate it. I even called him Dad for the first time because I wanted to see Him like a Father that loves His kid and wants to give him stuff He asks for. I even told God I was going to call him Dad. The whole prayer was super awkward and I even prayed it out loud as I often do. Here is the kicker to this whole experience. This prayer was two weeks (or thereabout) before the dentist came to my work. I literally had forgotten that whole prayer and awkward request when the customer picked up his order and told me he was a dentist. It never crossed my mind even when I was getting the work done on three separate visits. It was not till after everything was said and done, new teeth molded, created and installed, that I remembered what I had asked for. I walked past the table where I asked God for new teeth, and it wasn’t deja vu or anything near that. I just remembered. Like a flash out of no where in my mind, I just remembered. I had forgotten my request. God did not. When I remembered my request, all the pieces mentally fell in place on how God had arranged everything for me. Simply because He loves me and I asked. This is one story that tells me that God really cares and wants me to receive blessings from Him. That is God.

I will never be ashamed that my four front teeth are not the originals. Every time I smile it shows God’s sovereignty and goodness. Nothing is out of His control and He loves us. Period.