Oct
6
2020
The Dentist Appointment
Posted in Salvation 2 Comments
I went to the dentist today.
That is not major news.
Going to the dentist is not uncommon for me.
Except now, in 2020, because of the virus that has spread around the world, it is.
I missed my last six month appointment.
It was scheduled in the month when the lock down began.
My dentist’s office was closed.
At that time, seven months ago, I had no idea when I could reschedule.
I actually didn’t want to reschedule any time soon.
Every six months, I get my teeth cleaned and checked.
I have been doing that for as long as I can remember.
Not this year; this year it was different for everyone.
I got the reminder call over a month ago.
We are back in the office; we are seeing patients.
I wanted to get an appointment on the calendar.
Still I waited.
My two-year-old granddaughter had her first visit with a pediatric dentist.
It went well.
Strict safety protocol was followed.
Her first experience was a positive one.
If my two-year-old granddaughter can go to the dentist, Grandma surely can as well.
My appointment was made.
The safety procedures were discussed with me over the phone.
I would be the only one unmasked and only in the dentist chair.
I arrived five minutes early.
There was no one in the waiting room.
All but two chairs were turned around to face the wall.
I sat in one of the available chairs.
I watched the fish in the fish tank swim around and around.
Even the fish looked different to me.
I looked at the empty magazine rack.
I looked for the book basket which holds children’s books, but it was nowhere to be found.
There was a hand sanitizer station.
There was plexiglass at the front desk.
I had to have my temperature taken.
Like everyone else, I am used to this by now.
However, I will never get used to it.
Things are so stark, so bare.
Nothing says, sit and stay a while.
Everything is efficient and sterile.
I was called back within minutes.
The dental hygienist was well protected with her disposable scrubs.
She wore a head covering that had cats on it.
She wore a mask and a face shield.
Her eyes smiled at me.
She told me her name.
She was a new hygienist.
She was lovely.
She told me about her cats when I commented on her cute head covering.
She owns cats and fosters cats so there are quite a few in her home right now.
She asked about my family.
She asked how we were all doing during this crazy time.
She was all business and I appreciated it.
A water spray is used to clean my teeth before polishing.
I was given sunglasses to wear mostly to protect my eyes and face from any water spray.
Then, she pointed to something above me.
It was a robotic arm.
It was actually a ventilation system.
In essence it worked using suction to capture any wayward airborne particles.
I just wanted you to know because it is loud, she warned.
Even if we wanted to talk, we couldn’t because of the noise from the robotic arm.
There was the noise of the straw-like instrument that minimizes saliva.
I trust my dentist and his safety protocol.
It felt so good to be back to some sense of normalcy.
I thought of the robotic arm as I was driving home.
I thought about how it used suction to remove airborne particles that I couldn’t see.
My husband said that businesses would adapt during this virus crisis.
I saw today that his statement is very true.
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
God the Father did not use a robotic arm with suction to remove sin.
Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus, the Lamb of God, to take away the sin of the world.
No external suction could permanently remove our sin.
Only the perfect Lamb, taking the punishment that we deserve, could do that for us.
The virus is still here.
We cannot see it.
The virus is known to be transmitted through the air.
How I wish there was a giant robotic arm to suck away this insidious virus.
Sin cannot be seen.
However, the effects of sin can be seen.
We cannot remove something we cannot see, nor can we deny that it is even there.
Only God knows our hearts and how sinful they really are.
Jesus was sent to take away the sin of the world.
Jesus died the death that we deserve, so we can live eternally with Him.
Like people who do not believe the virus is real, some people do not think sin is a problem.
Like the virus, sin is deadly and will keep us eternally separated from God.
Jesus came.
Jesus died.
Jesus rose from the dead.
God the Father is satisfied to look on Jesus and pardon you and me.
God sees what we cannot see.
God sees our sinful hearts.
Only Jesus can remove our sin.
That is why we must come to Jesus alone, in faith, to save us.
Jesus, precious Lamb of God, I believe and trust in You alone for salvation.
I need You.
Please come and remove my sin.
Save me to be with You forever.
Great essay…efficient and sterile feels sad.
Agreed, Sherie.
Prayerfully, soon, “sit and stay a while” will be normal again.
Gina