Last.Damn.Call

I spent some time in high school working in a dental office. We had a sign that hung in the waiting room that said, “You don’t have to floss all your teeth…just the ones you want to keep!” Randomly, I recalled this and started thinking about the things I value in life…what I take care of and what could use a little more attention.

Eli and I have grown a lot in our faith over the past year. We have spent time studying and reading and sharing our story and our faith with others. It’s an important part of our recovery process, but it’s also become a solid foundation we can always return to.

If life was like a game of tag, I would say faith is always our “home base”, our safe place. This wasn’t always the case. And I can tell you, while life (ups, downs, celebrations, disappointments) still happen to us and all around us, that “home base” has sustained us. We once stumbled around clumsily in the dark…searching for things. We were forgetting to touch base and check in with God.

So…back to flossing/teeth reference–rather than go into removing plaque and food and bacteria (which would also make a great analogy!) I just want to talk about maintaining and nurturing those important things in your life you’d like to keep (such as your teeth–but even more important:) Your relationships, for example. With God, with others, and with yourself. Prayer kind of covers all those entities, but what else?

Spending time with those important parts of your life. Putting your damn phone down. Turning off the tv. Staying off the internet.

Instead, spending time–real one on one time with your children (young and old)–discussing their day, their friends, anything weighing on them. Asking others how things are going–not just when someone falls ill or goes through tough times. Just a quick check in to say hello and tell them you had them on your mind. A very small gesture can make such an incredible difference in someone’s day.

Using the “only floss the teeth you want to keep” reference…what are things you need to pay a little more attention to in your life? Your health? Friends? Your faith? Finances? Really, the list is endless and looks a little different for everyone. What is important for you to keep in your life? And to maintain?

Eli and I have found that the stronger our faith grows, the easier everything else becomes. This doesn’t mean life doesn’t throw us situations and people and whatever that could disrupt our sense of peace. It just means we always go back to that “home base” of faith in a power much greater than our human understanding.

It’s an overwhelmingly peaceful feeling to know I/we are not in charge. Lucky for everyone else, too;)

I want to encourage you to take care of what is important in your life. Tell people you love them. Don’t assume they know. Remind people they are important to you. Sometimes we all need to hear that. Choose kind words when you can just as easily choose harsh ones. Smile often. Laugh loudly. I know you cannot change people, places, situations, circumstances…so pray. Or meditate. Or send kind thoughts.

And don’t forget to take care of yourself as well.

“A balanced life is not about doing everything, but about doing what matters most to you.” — Vet Kosgei

“Peace isn’t the absence of problems—it’s the presence of Jesus.”
John 16:33 – “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”