Monday, September 13, 2010

Don't Hang on to Your Baby Teeth

(yet another lesson from mothering....)

With kindergarten comes many "firsts."


My little man has his first loose tooth. :)

 
We were in church last night when he made the discovey.

He was terrified.


With some apprehension, he confessed that his tooth was loose and fearfully exclaimed,

"I DON'T WANT TO PULL IT!.... IT'S GOING TO HURT!"


I assured him that it was normal and that he would be fine. 


I then explained that the reason the baby tooth was falling out was because there was a much larger tooth ready to take it's place.

Then I googled.  (Don't ya just LOVE to google?!)

Some information I found on the internet about baby teeth:
  • otherwise known as temporary teeth

  • the first set of teeth in the growth development of humans

  • usually lost and replaced by permanent teeth, but in the absence of permanent replacements, they can remain functional for many years

  • considered essential in the development of the oral cavity

  • the roots of the temporary teeth provide an opening for the permanent teeth to erupt
And if the baby teeth don't come out, guess what?  The permanent teeth can come in crooked and you will most likely experience some painful tension in your jaw.


After reading this information, I was reminded of how we often get fearful when exiting a season or letting go of something old to make room for the new.


Sometimes, we tend to hang on just a little too long. 


Ever had tension (stress) when you know you are supposed to let go or move on but you just can't find the courage?


When I refer back to my internet findings above, I find many parallels:
  • Like baby teeth, we go through seasons in our lives that are temporary. 

  • In these varying seasons, we grow, develop and prepare for our next season.

  • Although we can remain somewhat functional in our old season for a while, the anointing on our life wanes, new revelation is minimal, and our ability to hear God decreases because of disobedience and lack of faith. 
**Matthew 9:17 says, "Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins." If we try to bring in part of the new that God is wanting to do while clinging to some of the old, it just won't work. When you pour new wine into old wineskins, "the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined." **

  • Many times we question why we are in a particular season or what is its purpose.  Just as baby teeth are "essential in the development of the oral cavity," certain seasons we go through are also essential to the development of our character, faith, strength, patience and many other requirements for a successful and effective next season.
**  In Acts 1:7, Jesus said, "..It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority."  God sets timetables for the different seasons/times in our lives.  When we wait for His timing, we go in the power of the Holy Spirit instead of our own strength and ability. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" (v. 8). **

  • Our past or current season will help guide us into the new and provide an opening for God's plans and purposes to erupt or burst forth in His perfect timing.
"There is a time for everthing, and a season for every activity under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Seasons can refer to our job, church, city, or simply our way of thinking or method of doing things, such as programs, schedules, curriculum, the way we worship or any other change that takes place corporately or personally.

Don't rush out of your current season, even if you don't know why you're there.   Know that God has a purpose.

But, also, don't stay too long when your season is up.  You know what happens when you keep things past their expiration date....

Trust that His timing is perfect.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

xoxo
Shelly

4 friends had this to say:

starla said...

Shelly this is so good....Been learning about BEING STUCK and this I believe is what you are talking about. Being stuck in the OLD WAYS...when God is doing a NEW THING!!!
Grab on Tights to the Kite the Spirit has cause the wind is about the Blow!!!!!
Starla

Sharon said...

Shelly,
LOVE this post. I just really appreciated your words - they encouraged me to be patient in this season of my life. I find myself anxious for what's next - it just seems like I'm not doing what I'm SUPPOSED to be doing. But you have reminded me that sometimes God is just PREPARING us for new growth. I will try not to "rush out of my current season." I will trust that HIS timing is perfect.

GOD BLESS!

p.s. YES, I LOVE to google!! :)

Shelly said...

Starla and Sharon...Thanks for your comments :) Often, it seems that God is speaking the same or at least similarly to each of us. And that seems to be the case here :) Blessings as we move forward in our journey together!

Deborah Ann said...

oooh, I'm a rusher alright! But God has been teaching me to slow down and wait for Him. Seems I'm always one step ahead of Him, Lol.

Congrats on your little guy's first baby tooth out!