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.
Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels.com
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
33 responses to “Remember to Forget”
Thank you, Mags. I appreciate your reading, commenting, and following! God Bless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just found your blog and will follow…it is wonderful. Have a blessed day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The trapeze artist is a great illustration !!
Andy B
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awfulizing! That’s a perfect word.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Simply B. I call remembering what I should forget “awfulizing.” I borrowed the term from a counselor I spoke with once.
Thank you for sharing! God Bless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So good. I can really relate to remembering stuff that seriously needs to be forgotten. And I well know that God is always good, only good. He uses every experience to grow us up. Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how you think, brother. We must let go of the past to grasp the future—like a trapeze artist switches from one swinging rope to another. 😃
LikeLike
“Note: I put teeth in quotes because I’m transitioning to metaphorical mode.😉”
🤣 Excellent – love this way of helping your reader.
We can’t keep moving forward until the past is behind us…those new teeth mostly just sit waiting until the old teeth have left the room.
Great post
Andy B
LikeLiked by 1 person
And you too, David. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand what you’re talking about, Lesley. I’ve done my fair share of wallowing too.
Thanks for reading and commenting. God Bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are lots of things about “adulting” that seem unfair.😵💫
It great that God allows us to join Him in his kingdom work. Thanks, Matt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to be a champion wallower. I even got some weird enjoyment from wallowing! Thanks be to God, he lifted me out of that horrible habit. I can’t say I still have all my adult teeth though. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
God is always at work around us if we pay attention opportunities will abound.
It feels unfair children get money for losing a baby tooth but we have to pay to replace adult teeth lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve discovered another angle to explore here, Rocky. Guilt and shame can be powerful motivators, but they are not always earned. The enemy loves to use unearned guilt against us. And, as you said, sometimes we help him. Thanks for reading and commenting. God Bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aah, yes, the task of forgiving ourself for our sins. Why is it we hand it off, just to take it back again? Maybe it because we actually think we feel better when we feel guilty about something we did, or didn’t, do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your analogy as well, Beth! Your thoughts remind me of Paul’s encouragement to let go of what lies behind and to press toward the upward call of Christ. We also know, from scripture, that God indeed has a forgotten bin. He remembers our sins no more. Thank you for your input. God Bless!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow at $5-10/ tooth even the tooth fairy is feeling the affects of the economy. When my girls lost their teeth, I would leave a book under their pillow in lieu of coinage. The analogy you wove certainly hit home. Yes, I most certainly join you as one who struggles to forget and dredges up those disappointments. This past summer I deep cleaned the top drawer of my dresser which holds all sorts of “treasures” including the kids baby teeth. I was a bit grossed out when I pulled out those “tooth” containers. I handed the girls their teeth and they were equally grossed out. It was unanimous that the teeth needed to be rehomed in the trash. Now I just need to deep clean my heart and and be just as disgusted with those disappointment memories and trash them in the forgotten bin.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m flashing my happy gappy grin right back at you! Thanks for dropping in. God Bless!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh yes, I struggle with this too. I’m going to work on showing off my gappy grin, with this new thought in mind!
LikeLiked by 2 people
So true, sister! So true. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Because we need good, strong adult teeth to chew on the Word!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, friend! With God all things are possible. He keeps giving us new “teeth” after the baby ones are gone. Blessings!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I absolutely adore this! Don’t dwell on the baby teeth, new permanent teeth are coming!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome Linda! God’s best to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Boy you’re right about the pulling teeth part, Pete! But our Heavenly Father knows best. Thanks for stopping by. God Bless!
LikeLike
Thank you, brother Alan!
I’m glad you brought out the spiritual warfare aspect of walking in God’s best plan for us. The enemy of our souls is always at the ready with a “next best” option. God’ best to you, my brother. 🏴
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh boy… I really needed to read this right now. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
This gives new meaning to saying that getting me to do anything new is like pulling teeth! The hard part is recalling that God has something better in His plans than the old practice I am having a hard time letting go of. Thanks Dave!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for reading and commenting, Dawn. It’s hard to let go and reach for what God has next, but it’s always an adventure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this illustration brother! First off, at $5-10 a tooth I might be tempted to trade in my dentures!😁
How frail we are as humans, that often we hang on to stuff that we should forget. And of course there is the whispers of the evil one in our ear, reminding us of our own failures. All these are opportunities when we hand them over to Father God; He can certainly put Satan in his place and create new opportunities for us each day as we serve Him.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks David for the encouragement that “moving from one God given opportunity to the next ought to be a joyous occasion.” God wants to use us in many ways and we have to be willing to take steps of faith and follow Him.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Bridget! I’m looking for a toothless grin emoji…😃
It’s sometimes hard to let go of the past, but like you said, God has something better for us!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love the analogy here, David. Yes, I too struggle to forget. Thank you for the reminder that God will exchange our lost teeth for something better! 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people