Your Journey to a New Smile Continues…

Hello Prayer Closet warriors, Happy Monday!

My time with braces has come to an end. Some might think I would be extremely excited…but I have so many mixed emotions about it. I had my braces for quite a while, 57 months to be exact, and to be honest I’ve forgotten how it feels without them.

My journey with my braces has been pretty good. My favorite part was changing the bands. Yes, I’m an adult who loved to change my bands.

The laugh I get out of this is, when I was a child I remember the dentist telling my grandpa I need to get braces. I immediately rejected the idea. I was so afraid to have yet another thing someone could make fun of me about. I wasn’t taking another L! But here I am, a grown woman wearing braces!!! LOL and y’all I paid a pretty penny for these😮‍💨🙄. If I could go back and tell my younger self and my grandpa do it NOW, I would!! 🤣 I would tell little Tasha, “this bill ain’t what you want in the future sis” hahaha..Ok, Let me get back to my story.

Driving to my appointment I was talking to Abba, I asked him why am I so emotional about this? I have been feeling really anxious and sad about this transition. He brought me back to what Destiny said about grief this morning during 6am prayer. Grief is not only associated with death. Grief can also happen when you experience the loss of a friendship or relationship, divorce, moving, switching jobs, feeling lost in your faith, the death of a pet, anticipating a future loss, and so much more.

For me it came in two parts with this situation:

#1. I found a form of identity with having my braces. I didn’t only look a little different, I felt different, too. 4 years ago I finally embraced the idea of it being ok to wear them, mustered up the confidence I didn’t have before as a child… and now it’s ending. The questions I asked myself were, how will I look when these are off? Will I like the change? Will other people like the change? And I’m going to miss my lavender bands😩

#2. My orthodontist is located around the corner from my old apartment in Natick, Massachusetts. I can’t find all the words to tell y’all how much I loved living there. It was a small cozy one bedroom apartment that one can afford. It was down a little dirt road surrounded by trees and great neighbors. Not to mention how amazing my landlord was. I still keep in contact with him to this day.

Driving to my appointments, sometimes I would sit in the idea of returning to that apartment. To sit on my couch with the door open, catching the fresh air, listening to my music and taking in the beautiful scenery around me. It was ALWAYS so peaceful.

I’m grieving an old part of me that I’m still trying to hold on to. Abba said to me today, “I’m peeling back some layers. Don’t try to hold on to what doesn’t belong to you anymore. Let go.”

The longer we hold on to what doesn’t belong to us, the longer we delay the process of healing and growth.

While my braces were removed today, it’s certainly not the end of my “orthodontic journey”. I still have a few follow up appointments. They will check to make sure I don’t have any problems with my retainers and see if my teeth are settling in their new position. Minor changes in tooth positions are expected in EVERY patient throughout life. Maintaining my teeth now requires wearing my retainer (which keeps my teeth from shifting), keeping regular appointments with my dentist, and practicing good oral hygiene.

Read that last paragraph again….did you catch how this relates to our spiritual journey with Christ?

When God is removing things we will have follow up appointments. Minor and sometimes major changes WILL occur because shifting is happening. How to maintain your spirit man means; wearing the full armor of God (the retainer), being intentional about spending time with the Holy spirit (your appointments), Last, Prayer + Reading & Meditate on scripture (practicing good oral hygiene).

After everything was removed today, I looked in the mirror at the results. The difference was pretty amazing. I have before and after photos to keep a record of how I looked pre-braces. It’s easy to forget how my mouth and face looked all those months ago. This also relates to our spiritual growth. Keep your records to look back at how you lived Pre-Christian. I was taught to journal about my walk. if you haven’t tried it, you should. The enemy, some people, and even yourself will try to remind you of your old self but you’ll have it recorded. You can look back and rest in how far you have come. Embrace it.

I'm currently reading the book of Zechariah and this devotional was attached. It aligns perfectly with my transitions. I pray it helps you too. Are you having trouble understand the bible? For years I struggled with reading my bible. I wasn't partnering with the Holy Spirit to understand it and the KJV was had to read. Purchase this one! you wont be disappointed, https://amzn.to/3whoMRT. this is a women's bible but, men don't worry I did not forget about you, https://amzn.to/3jdgcAP get this one!! (Please keep in mind that we may receive a commission when you click on our links and make a purchase.)

Till next time, Prayer Closet Warriors, I love you all and pray this blesses you.

Sincerely,

Natasha

The Prayer Closet Mama ™