Dave's Deep Thoughts - Going to the Dentist on Your Birthday

 

Here's Pastor Dave McDowell's weekly devotional that he sends out to members of his church. Dave is my brother and serves as the Music Minister at Stewartstown UMC in PA.

 

Birthday agenda:

 

Cake, lots of it.....check

Cards from family & friends.....check

Happy birthday sung in a variety of public settings......check

Dinner out on the town..........check

Presents.............let's hope!

Trip to the dentist...........say what???

 

I like birthdays, especially my own.

 

This one isn't a "big" one with a zero at the end,

but it is a speed limit birthday,

higher than a work zone

but not quite highway driving.......

 

I know there are many

who like to ignore birthdays.

For many, it is just a reminder of our mortality

and the mirror reminds us that things have changed.

 

But all of us are mortal,

and those of us who know our Creator & Savior

are headed onto immortality.

 

And from day one,

we have all been in a process of change.

It didn't begin at age 30.

 

Nope,

I like my birthday.

I see it as a reminder

that I am loved by God, friends, and family.

I matter.

My life has purpose and intention

(for those who doubt, try Psalm 139....)

 

But a visit to the dentist???

It's not exactly birthday party material.

 

Especially this dentist. Dr. Driller.

I'm sure he is a decent human being.

I'm sure he pays his taxes

and feeds his children.

 

Maybe it starts with

his rooting for the rival football team.

There's not much you can do to retaliate

when he is throwing barbs at your team

and you have a minimum of 4 of his fingers in your mouth.

 

And so, instead of Happy Birthday

What I got was

I'll bet that last second loss really hurt......

now rinse please.

 

How many offensive lineman are injured this week?

Two? Three?

 

I suppose I could have bit him,

but with a digging pick in his hand,

I think he would have had the last laugh.

 

After about ten insults thrown at

the best team in the history of the universe,

he changed subjects.

 

Oh my,

that doesn't look good, he said

 

I thought he was still talking about the team offense

but then I realized he meant my teeth.

 

What's wrong??????

I tried to say,

but with cotton balls in my mouth,

it came out sounding like

Charlie Brown's teacher voice.

 

These fillings don't look good.

How old are they ?

 

Now I hadn't had fillings

since I was a child.

Instead of trying to speak the answer in garbled syllables,

I began to flash my fingers in groups of ten.

 

Oh dear,

they're ancient!

 

Ancient?

If there is one word you don't care to hear on your birthday,

it just might be ancient.

 

Man, they are old!

 

Okay, enough!

If anyone was going to be able

to rob me of my birthday joy,

Dr Driller seemed to be succeeding.

 

We're going to have to replace several of them.

 

Okay, can I have my cake now?

I thought as Dr Driller continued to prod and poke.

 

Wow, these have been in here so long

that they are going to cause some problems!

 

I waited for him to tell me it was all a joke

and for all the dental assistants

to storm into the room singing Happy Birthday.

 

But there was no singing to be had in exam room #3,

just some floss and some cinnamon flavored toothpaste.

and the thought of more dates with Dr. Driller.

 

And so I crawled out of the chair,

and slinked to the receptionist

to schedule three more visits to see Dr Driller

and to pay the bill.

(no dental insurance, final kick in the pants on my special day)

 

Each birthday

and the 364 days that follow it,

are gifts that we receive from God

There is no guarantee

that each morning.

our spirits will be returned to us.

 

And so each morning when I awaken,

I thank God for the gift of a new day.

It might be a day filled with sunshine and things that make me smile,

or it might be a day filled with challenges & frustrations,

or a day with the mix of the two.

 

But it is a day to treasure none-the-less,

because once it is gone,

I'll never have it back.

And that makes it the best gift I could ever have.

 

As I headed toward the door,

Dr Driller came through and said,

Oh, Happy Birthday,

Now let's get to work on those linebackers......

 

Happy birthday to me and happy day to all!

 

This is the day which the Lord has made;

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Psalm 118:24