Brushing Teeth and Stubborn Wills

Photography: Emily Byrne

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Yesterday evening at bedtime for the little ones, I was preparing to brush my three year old’s teeth.  He insisted repeatedly that he be able to do it first – as three year olds are so likely to do.  “I will do it myfelf!” is a popular refrain around here these days.  But our rule is that a grown up needs to brush the teeth first with toothpaste and then they can finish on their own with whatever suds are left.

So he stood there on his stool in front of the sink, looking up at me defiantly.  I fully admit I had a lot on my mind and wasn’t feeling really into bedtime last night.  But instead of causing me to be short tempered as it usually would, I was just wandering around in my own thoughts and it brought about a moment of good parenting completely by accident.

I stood in front of him with one hand on top of his head and one poised with the toothbrush while he sat there and glared at me with his mouth clamped shut.  It might have been a battle of wills if I hadn’t been daydreaming.  But my daydreaming seems to have done the job of patience in the situation pretty well.

After a few moments (and no words from either of us) he simply opened his mouth and let me brush his teeth.

It struck me that God very often handles me just like that. He lets me know what he needs from me gently, but I set my jaw and dig in my heels and say, “No, I will do it my way!” And He lets me sit there, staring Him down.

He just waits until I catch up and find myself surrendering my will to His. Often it is not nearly as peaceful as this, and I protest a little more vehemently than my three year old did over the tooth brushing. But sooner or later, if I am paying any attention at all, I get the message.

The key here though, is that my three year old was looking at me the whole time. Even when silently protesting, his eyes were fixed on me. God can handle my disagreements with Him, but it is crucial that even if my will is set against His, I keep my focus on Him.

Photography: Emily Byrne

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3 thoughts on “Brushing Teeth and Stubborn Wills”

  1. Pingback: Monogenism or Polygenism?: Human Origins - BigPulpit.com

  2. Dear Jenni-Great good words. A summary of how God made us in His image and wants us back with him. And how like the Hound of Heaven [Francis Thompson] He never takes His eye off us. You are lucky to know this so young-took me more decades. Thank you for the insights. Enjoy that 3 yr old-someday he will be a teenager. Guy McClung, San Antono

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