Remember to Forget

The first morning back to school, after winter break, one of my students told me the good news: “Mr. Duncan, while we were gone I lost three teeth!”

The 5th grader explained how she wiggled and wiggled until each loose tooth came out. Of course she saved them for the tooth fairy, who now pays $5-10 per molar.

Anyway, it struck me how losing one’s baby teeth–in the normal way–is a joyous occasion. When this happens at school, children get to take their tooth to the office and receive a special container to take it home in. Then they proudly show their toothless grin, for several days, to anyone who will look.

Losing baby teeth is one thing, but lost adult “teeth” is another story. Note: I put teeth in quotes because I’m transitioning to metaphorical mode.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

Isaiah 43:18 (NIV)

Does anyone else, besides me, struggle to forget? It’s so easy to dwell on the disappointments of the past! I’m prone to collect them in a little jar–like lost baby teeth. And, when I think no one is looking, I take them out to lament.

But what about the “teeth” coming back in their place? Yes, the Good Lord does dental implants. He calls it spiritual growth.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)

Kind reader, moving from one God-given opportunity to the next ought to be a joyous occasion. We can proudly show our “toothless grin” to anyone who will look; it’s proof positive that our Heavenly Father is on the job.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ Prayers and love..

 David Duncan is an ordained Southern Baptist minister turned elementary school administrator. He and his wife have three grown sons, but no grandchildren. They live in the Midwestern United States, with their Schnauzer, Cooper. David blogs at davidsdailydose.org, where he shares positive thoughts from a Christian perspective.

Image by DEEPAI