Pulling Teeth

missing front tooth teeth teethsChange. Some people thrive on it. They live for adventure. They get bored when things stay the same. Others just about lose their lunch from the motion sickness caused by even the tiniest of changes. I’m definitely more of the latter. If I’m all comfortable, then really, must we upset things?

My mom is always moving her furniture around. I never know from one visit to the next where things are going to be in her house. I remember going home during college and being frustrated as I tried to discover which drawer now held her silverware. Me? Once my furniture is in place, I’m pretty good – like forever.

But sometimes change is necessary, even imperative. A friend of mine had to take one of her daughters to have a tooth pulled recently. She had a baby tooth that her mouth just would not let go of. She had faced this once before, and the new tooth that had wanted to come in ended up being forced to come in at the wrong place. So before having a repeat of a misplaced new tooth and an overcrowded mouth, the stubborn baby tooth had to be pulled. Like it or not, the adult tooth was coming.

So it is in our lives. We cling to the old, not wanting to give it up. “Hey, this baby tooth has always served me well. It’s pretty cute. I mean, who needs grown-up teeth? I’m good with this one, thanks.” But change is inevitable. God is always doing something new. He is always moving forward. And just like that new tooth is going to come in, Godโ€™s purposes will prevail. They cannot be withheld from Him. (Job 42:2)

So we have a choice – we can have a mouth overcrowded and uncomfortable that holds onto the old only to the detriment of the new or we can endure the temporary pain of having the old “removed” so that we can have everything in place and working according to the plans of God. It’s kind of like the old wineskins that burst from not being able to hold the new wine.

โ€œNeither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.โ€ Matthew 9:17 (NIV)

Sometimes clinging to the old just doesn’t work for the new that God wants to do.

I don’t know about you, but I know I have some “teeth” that need to be pulled. Things I have been clinging to that seem good but that are actually impeding my growth. And I want to grow. I want to be all that the Lord has designed me to be.ย And okay, okay – I admit it. I actually like where my hubby had us move some furniture recently. Maybe I won’t feel so sick to my stomach next time change comes my way after all.

9 Responses to Pulling Teeth
  1. Amy Alves
    April 3, 2012 | 2:02 pm

    Kimberly,
    I happen to be one of those crazy people who gets inspired by change! BUT, God has had to work on me to bring it into purposeful balance with Him…and for His glory! -Blessings girl, Amy

    • Kimberly
      April 4, 2012 | 12:38 pm

      ๐Ÿ™‚ Indeed…I guess TOO much change all at once wouldn’t be good. An overcrowded mouth, a mouth with LOTS of missing teeth…neither one the best idea. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Thanks so much for dropping by here and by my blog!

  2. Laura Rath
    April 3, 2012 | 4:24 pm

    Amen! God will work His plans…either with us or despite us. We can either be a part of His work, as He lets us, or we can fight it and miss out on the beauty of seeing Him work. I really enjoyed your post today!
    In Christ,
    Laura

    • Kimberly
      April 4, 2012 | 12:42 pm

      I so don’t want to miss out on the beauty of seeing Him work! Sigh. SO I better get used to this change stuff. ๐Ÿ˜‰ So thankful we can trust He is ALWAYS working for our good!

      And thanks for the kind words!
      Blessings to you, Laura!

  3. Tonya Barnes
    April 4, 2012 | 8:22 am

    Wonderful word! “Change” can be so difficult at times but usually brings growth! Thank you for sharing! Be blessed!

    • Kimberly
      April 4, 2012 | 12:44 pm

      Great point…it really does usually bring growth. I have to remember that growth is WORTH the pain of change! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Blessings, Tonya! Thanks for commenting!

  4. Shelly
    April 4, 2012 | 11:09 am

    Such timely words! They feel like they were meant for me and my situation at this very moment! Thanks Kimberly, for bearing His message!

    • Kimberly
      April 4, 2012 | 12:46 pm

      I love that God used it to speak to your heart! Honestly, this is not the devotion I had planned to share, but due to me being a bit scattered and an emergency with our dog (who is now okay!), I needed to use this one. I love that God knew you would need it.

      Hugs to you! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Barbie
    April 12, 2012 | 9:13 pm

    I think I deal okay with change. I will admit I don’t like when the rug is pulled out from underneath me. But I am learning to trust that His ways are higher!