I’ve always had difficulty with the habit of flossing, and have never brushed twice per day—always just once. But all that has changed.
A few weeks ago, I got a toothbrush that syncs to my phone and stores all the data on what time I brush, how long I brush the upper teeth and lower teeth, and whether I brush twice daily and floss.
It’s a new habit, and I no longer need to be ashamed when the dentist asks, “Are you flossing?”
It used to be, “Eh… occasionally.”
I had easy access to floss, and I had been doing better than in the past, but never daily.
“Are you brushing twice a day?”
I’m convinced the dentist won’t find true peace and tranquility until I quit my job and take care of my teeth full time, but, still… at least I am making progress. No more shame!
The next time I am asked these questions, I can say, “YES!” in a triumphant voice.
I get gold stars on my app when I complete my daily goals, and it feels good. I am not sure yet what the gold stars do—I think I might get a $5 discount if I maintain a 10-year streak, or something—but those gold stars are rewards in themselves.
The ultimate goal feels like the gold stars, the streaks, and the rewards, but the real goal is good oral hygiene—healthy teeth! We can sometimes mistake discipline as the end goal, but discipline should always be serving some higher purpose.
Tonight’s sermon from James 1:4 will touch on that: “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
Trials and temptations might in fact make you a stronger person, but to what end? The end ought to be that we are more like Christ—perfect, and entire, wanting nothing.
Christ is the goal. Let’s be like Him. Oh, and don’t forget to floss!
-Pastor Ryan