Hygiene Highway to Heaven

By Hally Franz –

“Ivan’s dental hygiene has reached a level of some concern…We may have to discontinue treatment in order to repair damage …Gums may have to be surgically …” After nearly completing the payments for my son’s orthodontic treatment and now only a few months from the anticipated braces removal date, these statements sent me into dental care overdrive and near death by embarrassment. The letter came from our town’s primary orthodontist, and a former schoolmate of mine. (Hence, the feelings of mortification.)Couldn’t a twelve-year-old now manage his own personal hygiene matters? I thought we were past some of these issues. Ivan has the full line of the latest fragrance (hair gel, deodorant, body wash, etc.). Showers no longer present a big argument, and he’s even clipping his own fingernails. I had grown confident in his grooming habits. Apparently, my confidence had allowed me to become complacent.

Ivan managed to make up all of those missed brushings and flossings over the next four weeks; both of us determined not to repeat last month’s visit and subsequent letter. The Christmas tree tool that came with his orthodontic kit got a work-out, and I made brushing visits to school after lunch just for good measure. He went through the complete ritual morning and night with me militantly watching at the bathroom door. By the next visit, he was back in shape, and I gained redemption.

Parenting requires consistency, doesn’t it? In those moments when we take a breather, relax and even check out a bit, we can become vulnerable to parenting problems that easily arise. Successful parenting doesn’t allow us to grow lazy. It’s like that with our faith too.

Building a relationship with Christ and growing ever stronger in faith requires that we develop healthy habits. Daily Bible study and prayer, regular attendance in worship and fellowship with other Christians are key to spiritual health. It may be tempting to rush through daily devotion time and skip Wednesday services when days become busy and stressed. However, those quiet moments with God and in the presence of our Christian family are the very activities that sustain us during difficult times. Cleanliness may not really be next to godliness, but if we apply the same diligence to our Christian lives that we do brushing, flossing, washing, clipping and spritzing, our souls will experience a lot more whitening.

PRAYER: Almighty God, help me daily to remain diligent in my efforts to serve You and learn more about You, and help me to model that consistency for my children.

“But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fail” (2 Peter 1:9-11, KJV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former teacher and high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. She enjoys volunteering at her childrens’ school, teaching at her home church, leading projects in 4-H, writing, reading, scrapbooking, and rousing (though, sometimes, not pretty) zumba classes.