to floss or not to floss, that is the question.
Well, I had to go to the dentist this week. Time for that regular 6 month cleaning, you know? I think that it was Socrates that said, “An unexamined life is a life not worth living.” So we regularly let people examine our teeth too, how funny is that?
Do you dread the flossing part? I do, and especially the part where she always asks me how often I floss. (um….well, once in a while. gross I know.) The thing is, I have an Aunt that always flossed every day. I am sure she still does. She and my uncle lived with us for a while and her flossing habits became common knowledge in my house. We just didn’t think that average people did that! And apparently “we” (meaning my sister and I) were right.
So, two dental cleaning visits ago my husband decided that he would do it! He would floss every day just so he could hear Roxanne’s praise when she cleaned his teeth the next time. Wellllllll…….you can probably guess, she didn’t say a thing about how nice and clean his teeth were, so free from the ususal plaque! He had to tell her that he had been flossing!! Haha, I knew it. It is just what she says to all her dental patients!!!
I think that I will try the flossing experiment during this 6 months and see what happens. You never know, I might just find out I really like plaque free teeth.
Don’t you think we sometimes do that with God? We check in with Him periodically and expect the same sort of convictions (feels like criticisms sometimes) as the last time, but we figure that “really, no one does it right, you know?” so, why should I? None of us really pray (read the Word, love our neighbor, fill in the blank) daily. We know that it would be good for our spiritual health, but it is so time consuming and sort of painful, like flossing.
Maybe I will try a spiritual experiment too. What would happen if I really got out of my comfort zone and got to know my neighbors? Or what about starting my day with the Word and Prayer…EVERY DAY? Instead of only most, or some days?
I think that God would be a much better observer of the difference in my spiritual health than poor Roxanne is of my gums and teeth.
I think He would be happy about it and I can hardly imagine how I would feel. Can you imagine being able to tell the hygienist, “yes, actually, I floss every day!”? Ah….yes, that would be wonderful. It will be even nicer to not feel like I am ashamed when the Holy Spirit asks me His questions.
ya’ll can pray for me, haha.
Love,
Sheri
haha, “binge flosser,” I love it! well, it is always reassuring to me somehow to know that the trials that I suffer are common to the body!
haha, “binge flosser,” I love it! well, it is always reassuring to me somehow to know that the trials that I suffer are common to the body!
I love your dental/spiritual analogy, Sheri. I really like it when God teaches me through my daily experiences. The Holy Spirit has a way of inserting Himself and His Ways into my life in the most personal and intimate ways.
Funny thing about the flossing issue at our house. Michael is a faithful flosser. He religiously flosses every single night. I am in awe of him actually, and his faithfulness in this area sometimes makes me ashamed of myself. So I tend to be a binge flosser. I floss religiously the week before I am going to the dentist, for instance, and after having to have some dental procedure, and after noticing (again) my husband's on-going faithfulness in this area. Obviously, guilt is my motivator here!
Now here is the funny thing: every time I go to the dentist the hygienist COMPLEMENTS me on how little plaque is on my teeth. And every time Michael goes to the dentist they instruct him on the proper way to floss and sometimes even make him watch a movie on flossing. Go figure!
I assume that I simply have a mouth that for some reason does not manufacture a lot of plaque, and Michael has a mouth that does. Is that the possible reason for the discrepancy in our experiences with the hygienist? I don't know, but it seems reasonable.
Unfortunately, those same conditions do not apply to my spirit! Everyone produces spiritual plaque that requires daily attention, me included! If it were not for God's generous grace my spiritual teeth would be full of cavities and I would be unable to enjoy his hearty servings of meaty revelation!
I am challenged by your post, Sheri — especially about getting to know my neighbors better. I am also reminded to make an appointment for a dental check-up! Thanks.