Yesterday, I went to look for my retainers and the bottom half was missing. I searched high and low to no avail. I was not happy! This might not seem like a big deal to anyone who's never had braces and doesn't have to wear retainers each night to keep their teeth from going back to their former state. But, for me, it's a huge deal. Although it's been about five years since I first got my braces taken off to correct an occlusion that made my jaw pop because my teeth were not aligned properly, I still take my treatment very seriously.
You see, correcting the problem was an extremely painful and expensive process, and in order for all that not to be in vain, I needed to find those retainers... ASAP!
I called my Orthodontist to make an appointment to get a new bottom set. I couldn't waste any time, because it only takes days for my teeth to shift. If they shift too much, I'll be right back where I started from. Thankfully, this story has a happy ending. Turns out that, in my haste, I had just overlooked them and my husband found the bottom retainer in the exact area I thought it was missing from. I breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Guess I have an appointment to cancel today, huh?
You know, this got me to thinking about how important it is for us to remember what it cost us and what we had to go through to get things in line in our own lives. When we remember the pain and the price, we take things more seriously.
That's why I always recommend taking some time to think back on where the Lord brought you from. Carve out some space to stop and consider how far you've come. Although God isn't through working on you yet, it's undeniable that a wonderful change has already come over you. It only gets better from here too, because the word says, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). As long as you remain in God, He'll finish whatever He started in you.
Today, I encourage you to stay on that mission to keep things in line. Whatever God has brought you through, over, and out of, don't let anything pull you back. Remember the lessons He's taught you about guarding your heart and mind; being a good steward over your finances; taking control of your health; investing time in your relationships; bridling your tongue to avoid conflict; praying before jumping into relationships; spending time in the presence of the Lord and in your Word daily; or saying no to that old habit that keeps you in bondage. Whatever it is that God has allowed to be worked out and corrected in you, keep it in line!
Cherish what He's done and keep those "retainers" in place, so the pain you felt and the price you paid, won't go to waste. More importantly, remember the pain Jesus went through on the cross of Calvary and the price He paid with His own blood to give you and me a right to the tree of life!
I can't speak for you but, "When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all He's done for me... my soul cries out Hallelujah! I thank God for saving me."
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
