Day One: Extractions

April 4, 2025

Dear God,

First, thank you, Father, for another day of life in you.

Well, my last dentist appointment made me the latest member of the Tooth Brigade; it’s my family’s little club consisting of people whose teeth have either fallen out or been extracted. It’s not the most glamorous of honor societies. It doesn’t even have t-shirts.

Me showing one of two extractions made last Thursday by Dr. Julissa Parish, DDS at Dr. Jerry Bradley’s office in Edenton, NC. (Image: Veronica Downing - April 1, 2025)

Still, I took my initiation one cloudy Thursday at Dr. Jerry Bradley’s office in Edenton, NC, after I broke a tooth while eating breakfast. There was no ceremonious welcome party with a pledge to recite or fanfare to revel in—just the dreaded reclining chair and plenty of novocaine, gauze, and pulling.

More than a few things surprised me about the appointment, though:

My dentist, Dr. Julisa Parish, DDS, the grand master of the event, made me feel right at home. She was patient, listening to my battery of questions, understanding - speaking to me in a calm voice and gentile - giving me time to prepare for the anticipated yet dreaded novocaine needle. I can’t imagine how many people she’s had in her chair with my same anxieties.

What surprised me most was that the surgery didn’t hurt—at least not until after the novocaine wore off.

That experience got me thinking about how you work with our sins.

Exodus 15:26 says that you are the healer. I’ve heard songs calling you a Balm in Gilead, meaning only you are the source of my redemption and recovery. Much like a dentist, you start by listening to my concerns through my prayer, informing me through your word of how you will fix the problem, and applying your holy spirit to my heart, numbing the pain until I can’t feel anything but your love.

You took my pain away with a grace beyond what anyone could offer. Soon, I felt better and could relax, knowing your love set me free.

My blood is useless against my sins….

Unlike with the dentist, my blood is useless against my sins… but it sure filled up those gauze pads. Hebrews 9:12 says nothing and no one else’s blood can redeem us back to you but Jesus. Though the dentist’s bedside manner was welcoming, saying she was somehow a saint belittles your importance in my life. And I know better than to shortchange you.

I may not be able to chew on my right side for now, but I know that putting my faith in the blood of Jesus is enough to take away my sins and bring healing to my life. And I can’t think of a more painless extraction.

Your servant,

A Young Pastor