Father’s Day, Easter, and a Root Canal
I had an emotional, spiritual experience during my root canal in October. I thought, “Jesus didn’t have nitrous oxide when he suffered on the cross for my sins.” I held back sobs as my heart swelled with gratitude.
I was wearing dark glasses while the endodontist’s bright light overhead gave me an impression of sunrise (and I was listening to birds singing on my headset). My sorrow for sin was followed by this impression of Easter. I then thought that if I had to suffer so that these two women hear about Jesus through me, then I was willing for that and prayed for them.
I told them a bit about my impressions of Jesus’ suffering after they finished their work on my tooth.
The story of my teeth began on a rainy Father’s Day, two weeks after my high school graduation, and two months after my braces were removed. A devastating car accident fractured my upper palate and took out bone and teeth. My dad was devastated. My orthodontist cried.
My mouth was wired shut, and I started down a months-long path to recovery. That’s how I spent my summer before college.
Though the trauma has caused issues over the years, I’ve never regretted this accident. It’s been a while, so I was surprised to learn on October 6th that I have root resorption, which is related to that long-ago Father’s Day. My immune system has been attacking four teeth because of the trauma. An oral surgeon had to extract one molar on October 28th. We haven’t scanned the upper teeth yet to look for resorption there. Even as we repair these teeth, resorption can recur.
I’ve accepted dental issues as part of my journey, but I’ll admit to being fearful when I anticipated these procedures. I’m grateful that I was fine during both appointments.
We’ve begun work on two root canals, three oral surgeries, two crowns, and a new partial denture. Thank you for praying for divine protection over all my teeth. Thank you for praying for healing and the timely completion of these procedures. I’m grateful for God’s reminder of His sacrifice on my behalf and that He transformed my fear into faith. I’m trusting Him to provide for the dental expenses. Thank you for your prayers.
Mike and Sus Schmitt 