David’s Blog

The other night going through our normal bedtime checklist I sent everyone to brush their teeth. Almost instantly they returned. I thought there was no way that their pearly whites had felt the friction or flouride. I felt their toothbrushes with my hand and was astonished to find that they were wet and then I noticed toothpaste all over the counter and sink. So being the loving parent I am I made them brush again and this time "for at least 30 seconds." They moaned and rolled their eyes but obliged their dad.

I got to thinking about "why" brushing their teeth is part of the daily routine. Two of the three still chew with 90-100% "baby" teeth so they are going to fall out in the next few years. Is brushing those teeth that won't be around for the next 60+ years important? Yes!

We are trying to start a life long habit that will protect and care for their "permanent" teeth. So the discipline is not worthless even though at the present it may not seem worthwhile. Life and circumstances change therefore creating habits and disciplines for living life are vitally important to a content life. All of those things like going to church, reading the Bible daily, praying, memorizing scripture will be seen for all they are worth when…a job is lost, a marriage falls apart, a parent dies, a miscarriage, financial ruin, a rebellious child etc. Where will one turn for hope at these moments? If there has been nothing to nourish the soul then we turn to blame, depression, medicines, anger, and denial to name a few. But when you read and study scripture for personal application, or pray at all times, or rehearse verses which transform the mind then when life becomes chaotic you see a plan. You see Peace, Strength. a Provider, a Comforter. That is not an empty, easy answer but life orienting hope.  

So we'll keep brushing those teeth, reading our Bible stories, praying and memorizing verses because of a day that might not be so fun. Now, I'm off to be a better example…

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 13th, 2006 at 8:07 am and is filed under contentment, disciplines, habits. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.