I’ve been a bit bummed lately. After spending more than $1,000 on a root canal and crown in an attempt to save one of my teeth, I had to have it pulled yesterday. So, now I have a hole where I should have a tooth. It will have to heal for several months before I can begin the process of having an implant put it. I don’t completely understand the procedures involved; I only know that it will be about a year before it is complete. And, it will cost me another $1,000 or maybe more, and probably some discomfort.
I will be glad when the hole in my gum heals and I can eat normally again. Hopefully, this is the end of the pain and infection I have battled for the past two months. It’s been a real pain. I’m ready to be off antibiotics and pain pills.
I know it’s not the end of the world. It’s just something I’m going through, and millions of people have had similar experiences. A friend shared that she is missing a couple of teeth because she didn’t have dental insurance and couldn’t afford root canals when those teeth needed them, so she had to have them pulled. Ouch! I felt guilty for whining about my situation. I’m fortunate to have great dental insurance and to be able to pay to have the tooth fixed properly.
Francesca Battistelli has a new song on the radio called This is the Stuff. It’s all about how the little things in life get you down. The first verse and chorus are:
I lost my keys
In the great unknown
And call me please
‘Cause I can’t find my phone
This is the stuff that drives me crazy.
This is the stuff that’s getting to me lately.
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I’m blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I’ve got to trust You know exactly what You’re doing
It might not be what I might choose
But this is the stuff you use
Lately, I have related well with this song. It seems we take one step forward only to slip two steps back. Of course, an infected tooth is a much bigger deal than lost car keys, but compared to the problems faced by many people, it’s pretty minor. The gum will heal, and the implant procedure will be completed in time.
Life is full of problems, both large and small. It’s easy to get so bogged down by our problems that they become our focus. God allows difficulties in our life to show us our need for Him. When problems come, we need to keep our focus on God and rely on Him to see us through. Tomorrow is Sunday. I look forward to worshipping with others in my church. It is exactly what I need to get my focus back where it should be—on my Creator.
Susan's Reflections 