I just got back from the dentist. I was a long while in the chair as Dr. J. had to do a lot of work to correct a problem created by a past dentist. I have gone to the dentist since I was a small child. I think that I was five years old for that first visit. You don’t want to know the reason why I was there. 

During my appointment, the dentist, who was quite old at that time, gave me a small froggy clicker.  Remember them? Well, he told me to click the frog if I felt any pain and he would stop right away. As soon as he started the process, I began to click away, and he never even slowed down or stopped. 

This event left me with a bad taste in my mouth about going to the dentist. Which is too bad because dentists are extremely important for the healthy well-being of our bodies. However, my mother persisted and each week, there was at least one sibling at the office getting dental services. 

My fear and hesitation never let up.  That is until I began to trust in the Lord for all things. My trust began to grow at a time when my life was hectic and chaotic. I was attending a 12-step program for compulsive eating. There were times when I went to two meetings a day, although it was usually one meeting a day.  

This was a time in the history of 12-Step programs when attendance was at a high level. There were many wise people in the rooms. Many spoke about putting all one’s cares, concerns and fears in the hands of the Lord, after a serious look at what you could change. 

Meetings often began or ended with either The Lord’s Prayer or the Serenity Prayer. Both prayers became lifelines for me. I started to write the Serenity Prayer when I was in a situation that I could not change, like listening to testimony in a Statehouse committee room. I started to say the Serenity Prayer before difficult events-like going to the dentist’s. I started to begin and end my day with those prayers to the Lord who was always with me. 

And I received peace in return; strength to accept the things that I cannot change and courage to change the things that I can. 

I tell you; it made going to the dentist much easier for me and the dentist.  

Remember that God loves you unconditionally. Place your cares and concerns in His lap and don’t try to take them back. Let Him love you and be with you always. 

Terri