Where's Our Focus?

My oldest had a tooth implant yesterday. It’s a long story, but it was from an accident when she was in 5th grade and the tooth slowly died and we put a crown on it and it fell off in April. But they wanted to make some corrections so she’s been missing a front tooth for 8 months. She’s had a crown in a retainer but it never looked right. So finally she has her smile back together. (Rachel did great at this by the way – she was a real trooper).

As I was in the waiting room yesterday it occurred to me how much we take for granted. It’s just one tooth. And our teeth are just one small part of our entire body. It’s amazing how much having one little part out of sync messes with our lives. One little virus knocks us down, one little appendix bursting can kill us, one little tooth gone is such an inconvenience. Our bodies are so amazing when you think about it.

It’s so easy to become focused on the one thing that isn’t going right, instead of all the things that are (and you can always ask Lonnie for perspective on that one).

I’m stressed this Christmas – are you? I’m thinking about the few little things that aren’t going right instead of the millions of things that ARE going right, and it’s freaking me out. I don’t know about you, but I need to stop focusing on the one missing tooth and remember all the other parts that are working so well.

Christmas just seems to magnify the hole in our mouths. It’s crazy.

So can you stop for a minute – and remember that absolutely nothing else matters past the fact that God came down and became a man so that he could save us?

Merry Christmas,
Tim

Comments

[Jill Stanek]

So Rachel got her Christmas wish? "All I want for Christmas is my one front tooth?"... :)

[Debbie H.]

Thanks much for the true focus reminder. The hussle and bussle of the materialism of Christmas, along with family and job, we need to make a real attempt to focus on HIM. It's funny, when we do focus on HIM, the stress of the holidays, lessen. The true focus brings out the joy of Christmas. The way it should be - a joyous celebration, not a stressful situation.
Merry Christmas Everyone.

[cheryl ann hudson]

I can relate! I had an accident with my one front tooth at the age of 5. I'm now 42. It's been capped but don't look so nice. Yet, people have always said I have a nice smile, until recently. My sister keeps bringing up getting my teeth fixed, in addition to pointing out my many other imperfections. I had to "break-away" from her. However, I'm obesessing over my teeth! People have always seen me for who I am on the inside. Anyway, Jesus loves me, flaws and all. And I love him too!
Coincidently, today is the first time I've read your blog. I do believe "God sent me here." Thanks for getting me re-focused.