Interesting title for this little blog today. What in the world can you learn from a procedure that’s named root canal? You know, I spent a long time in the dental industry, not on the clinical side, but on the business side. Over those years, I never fully understood what happens during this procedure. I knew that it required a specialist in most cases, and it sounded painful.
Well, this past week I got to experience the procedure firsthand. I had been having some pain and sensitivity over the past several weeks, and I was due for my six-month appointment with my dentist, so the timing was good. After some X-rays and my exam, both my hygienist and dentist agreed that I probably needed a root canal. Oy, what did that mean exactly? They gave me a brief explanation of the process and the referral to the endodontist just across the parking lot.
A few days later, I was sitting in the chair listening to a young man explain exactly what was causing the tooth pain and what he was going to do to fix it. I got the full rundown of the root canal procedure, and focused on the “It’s not painful and shouldn’t take very long to complete”. Hmmm, I thought, still unsure about the “not painful” part.
He began with the numbing process, and yes, unlike what he had mentioned, that indeed was painful. However, it wasn’t long before I couldn’t feel the right side of my face 🙂 . The procedure went smoothly, and the doctor and his assistant were excellent. They frequently asked if I was ok; he told me everything that was happening along the way, and just as he said, it wasn’t long before I was sitting up in the chair. He showed me the final X-ray and where he had filled in the roots (canals) of my tooth with a substance. I would have some achiness once the anesthesia wore off, but within a few days I would be fine.
You are probably wondering by now where the heck I’m going with this little blog this morning. Well, I was thinking about the week and the procedure. I started out with some intense pain. I had to go through a bumpy road; that wasn’t pleasant. I had to endure a different kind of pain, and now, on the other side of things, the pain is waning, and I’m able to move forward.
I realize this might be a stretch, but my little experience with the root canal is kind of like life. We face difficulties and endure intense pain sometimes. We go through unpleasant experiences, but we keep moving forward, and over time the pain changes or wanes. With each new day, we find things get just a little easier, and we become stronger.
Friends, the Lord walks beside us through all of life’s experiences. Yes, some of them will be difficult, but if we keep Him close to us, we can overcome the pain and even gain an understanding of just how strong we are with Him.
Have a good day, friends. Please lift up some prayer for my friends Mike and Terri Gilbert and their family. Today marks 20 years since their son Tommy, a friend of mine, was killed in Iraq. He was a hero, and today I give thanks to Jesus for his courage and selflessness as he gave his life for this country.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
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