The Dentist + The Gospel
Do you stress about going to the dentist?
I have had a lot of mind-mess around going to the dentist in the past decade.
SOME UNHELPFUL THOUGHTS I'VE HAD TO OVERCOME:
I don't want to be belittled when I say "no thank you" to fluoride
There are dentists who just want to drill, fill, and bill - how do I know if they're really acting in my family's best interest?
"Do we floss everyday?" I hate that question. I'm sure they know before they ask. It feels like a mirror being held up to my face and all I can see is "you're a terrible mom"
We don't have the money to do the necessary work and this just feels too hard
If our kids just did the natural remedies like I tell them to, we wouldn't be in this situation (ie: shaming my kids)
OUR TRIP TO THE DENTIST THIS WEEK WAS DIFFERENT
I want to share with you what changed + the process of how I got there in hopes that it will encourage those of you having the same kinds of thoughts.
THE MELTDOWN CAME FIRST
Listen. I'm not immune to the spiral.
But, how I handle the spiral is wildly different today than how I handled it 2.5 years ago.
The night before, I went "crazy Caitlin" around bedtime, anticipating the next day's dental appointment.
CONNECTION CAME NEXT
Hubbs could tell I was off and asked me what was up.
He listened kindly and started to try and solve, but I requested that he only hear me and then pray. Which, he honored. 🙏
He then proceeded to help me close some other tabs I had open that seemed to be exasperating my current emotions. (ie: he overnight Amazon'd me drawer organizers because he knew it would calm my nervous system to know I could create some order in the midst of many things that I cannot control 😅)
SURRENDER OF SELF + DRESSING IN TRUTH
The morning of the dental appointment, I soul-fully praised God for His steadfastness, kindness, provision, love, and grace over our lives.
We have been walking through what seems to be an ongoing series of financial trials, and I've been watching God take care of us time after time after time as we are learning to truly ABIDE in Him.
I surrendered my will, my thoughts, my desire to control and to be "right."
I asked for an extra outpouring of His Spirit over our day and told Him I wanted to be an instrument of His peace.
INVITED KIDS INTO TO SOUL-ORIENTATION
We got into the van and all stopped to pray together.
I invited our kids into talking to their Creator about things that matter to us, things that make us feel nervous, things that we can sometimes struggle with.
We surrendered together (I mean... I don't know if they did or not, but there was a motion to model).
STAYING PRESENT
It takes us an hour to get to a dentist we trust, and we're willing to make the drive.
One of my unhelpful thoughts is served by knowing they will never belittle us for declining fluoride.
We all huddled into one space while one kid's teeth were being cleaned and opted to watch the video of adorable animals vs a Netflix show that would have increased stress + anxiety.
I used to check out on my phone during these visits (unhealthy coping mechanism), but was able to enjoy sitting and snuggling the 2 who weren't in the dentist chair.
GOD'S PAST FAITHFULNESS DESERVES OUR PRESENT TRUST
While they were finishing cleaning baby -number-last's teeth (she's almost 7 now 😳), they had me go work on scheduling for our next cleaning and some cavity filling appointments for one of my kiddos.
I FELT PEACE.
I don't know if said kid will opt to try natural methods of reversing the cavities or if he'll endure whatever is necessary to have them filled.
The cost isn't in our budget today, but the appointment isn't until October, and God can do a LOT in 5 months.
He can do a LOT in less than a second.
I can trust Him to walk this with me.
"BAD MOM"
I'm not a "bad mom" if my kid has cavities or if I can't get said kid to follow natural protocols.
I'm a "bad mom" if I refuse to let go of trying to control and manage everything on my own, acting as if I am my own god. 🥵
There's HOPE for "bad moms" and it lives so lightly and brightly in the gospel.
STOP TRYING, START SURRENDERING
Today's dentist visit was peace-filled not because I'm awesome and could just suck it up and act differently or because I said a bunch of affirmations.
Today's dentist visit was peace-filled because I emptied me of me and filled up on His Spirit.
I left truth reign in my heart.
I "silencio'd Bruno" (IYKYK, and if not, don't feel left out...it's not important)
God's character alone can lift so many of the weighty burdens we insist on carrying - lean in.
Let Him carry what's crushing you.
KNOWN + LOVED
I don't tell you any of this to make much of me.
Because the truth is, without Jesus, I am nothing.
He came to earth and died a criminal's death to pay the debt I owe(d).
He did it WILLINGLY, and KNOWING full well I could reject Him.
Jesus isn't the easy-button to life; He IS THE LIFE.
And, yes, some things will get easier, lighter, but none of us are immune to the difficult + hard.
He knows you through and through.
From the disgusting, shameful things about you to the best, most delightful things - He made you. And, He LOVES you.
But, He won't force you into relationship with Him - that's not Love.
You have to choose.
💛 Caitlin
PS: I took the photo above after we got home from the dentist to share on Instagram and ask who else does an immediate wardrobe change into their pjs after being in public. HA! I had no intention of sharing the dental-day-saga. 😂 Though, I do hope it blesses you. 🙏