Who would have thought?

Today was the dreaded dentist day for the kids.  I was pretty sure Cameron had some major issues going on, and Katelyn was experiencing her usual anxiety.  We went to a dentist referred to us by a friend (big thanks to Dawn!).  We arrived 15 minutes early and turned in all of our paperwork that I was able to fill out online the day before (love technology!), and discovered the waiting room had a free arcade game.  The kids became quickly caught up in the game, so much that Katelyn's mind was taken off of where we were even at.  There was none of the usual nonstop questions of "What are they going to do?",  "Am I going to be ok?",  "How long will it take?", "Where are you going to be?", "Am I going to die???".  I watched the kids in amazement and in what seemed like only a matter of minutes it was our turn to head back to the bay of dentist chairs.  Katelyn was placed two seats down from where they directed Cameron and I to be.  This in itself is usually enough to send Katelyn over the edge of sanity, but the dental hygienist was so friendly and engaged Katelyn in such a manner that again she was at loss for all of her normal questioning and fretting.  The entire experience was amazing compared to the usual tears, thoughts of death, and just terror in general that a visit to the dentist office typically brings for Katelyn. 



I sat amazed watching Katelyn breeze through the entire process happily chatting with her dental hygienist, and Cameron cooperatively enjoying his visit.  It was during this time that I was able to have a conversation with another military mom who was just starting the homeschooling journey and was full of doubts and questions, and another conversation with a dental hygienist who was in the very painful stages of seeking a child to adopt after losing three babies over the course of the past ten years. I can tell you that as I entered the dentist office this morning I was very much wrapped up in my own little world. I had no intentions of having any meaningful conversations with anyone....but God had another plan.



I am reminded of I Peter 3:15 which says "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh  you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear", and Matthew 5:16  "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  Tonight I am looking back on today's events and wondering how many opportunities to share God's love that I miss because I am not intentional about letting my light shine and being ready to share the reason for the hope that is within me.  I am challenged to slow down, look outside my own world, and seek opportunities to share God's love with those around me. 



We left the dentist office less than an hour after we entered with very happy reports...no cavities, no issues, and no meltdowns.  I am in awe of the peace that God covered my children with today to allow me the awesome opportunity to share with others the hope that He has given me.