And All Other Things

I rarely get sick. But when I do, I hurt.

For the last few days, I have been suffering from a major toothache. I have never EVER hurt as badly as this. And I believe I have a high pain tolerance.

It was somewhat an emergency and I called the dentist to see if he could squeeze me in. They managed to, although it would simply be for an x-ray and prescription. I was thankful for anything.

They saw me, told me that it was most likely a cavity (and before you tsk tsk me, I have all my wisdom teeth and apparently the grooves in my teeth are very deep, too deep for the tooth brush to reach. The pain is in the farthest tooth on the top right) and also that it was probably being bothered by my extra tooth.

That’s right, I have an extra tooth in the very back of my mouth. One more than most people. For a while, this tooth was below the surface, but just recently, at the end of 2008, it grew. The doctor kept on telling me how lucky I am.

He was referring to the crazy extra tooth, but looking deeper, I realize how “lucky” I truly am.

• I have teeth. And even an extra tooth. Furthermore, I have the capacity to take care of my teeth, via a dentist. Many people do not have that.
• When I am in pain, although I do not like taking medication, I have the opportunity to have be prescribed something and have that prescription filled (this particular time, antibiotics and Tylenol 3s).
• I feel pain. I know I’m alive.
• When I’m feeling this pain and can’t function, I have a bed and pillow to rest my head.

I can go on and on and on. I am truly blessed.

God never said we would never feel pain. But He does provide healing.

Love this quote –> Life hurts. God heals.

Ok, I realize that this post may not be my best, or even coherent, but remember, the Tylenol 3s?

‘Nough said.

The problem of pain is atheism’s most potent weapon against the Christian faith.

C.S. Lewis

Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature

and existence of free-wills involve,

and you find that you have excluded life itself.

The Problem of Pain – C.S. Lewis