Image

I am laughing at myself.

I never really believed that I was vain or someone consumed with the way that I look. I DO like to look nice and take the time every day to put on makeup and fix my hair.
But, I do not think that I am overly focused on my looks. I mean, once I get dressed for the day, then I rarely go back and fix my hair or makeup and I do my BEST not to change clothes again that day. (I hate to change clothes)

In fact, I've often thought that getting ready is the worst part of the day and my most dreaded.

So, having said all that - I came to realize that I am VERY vain! God has been working on my "image" problem and exposing it to me. He has a very good sense of humor, I might add, but He does hit below the belt!

When we moved to our new place, I had been a little stressed. So the week of Conference, when I'm meeting new pastors, District Superintendents, The Bishop, members of our Church.... I grow this, ummmmm "beautiful" HUGE fever blister that covers the area from under my nose across the top of my lip.

I was horrified and humiliated, to say the least. I begged not to have to set foot outside the motel room. It stayed in perfect place until the week we moved into our new appointment. Again, I'm meeting lots of new people. I am, after all, the "new Pastor's wife" and I have an image to keep up... so, Yes, I greeted (very warmly - I might add) everyone with one hand covering my face, at least my upper lip. I could imagine them saying..."have you met our new Pastor's wife? She is very nice, but I think she is a hair-lip!" (now, if you are a hair lip, please accept my apologies. I'm not making fun of you, I am very much sympathetic!)

I can go on and on with different ways that my vanity has been exposed and my "image" has been damaged.

Last Saturday night, after having been gone for almost 2 weeks, I was brushing my teeth when what I feared, happened! A filling came out. This was not just a filling in the back teeth that could not be seen (I have lots of those already) NOOOOOOOO, it was in a FRONT tooth... on the front - VERY visible!!!!!!

So, I had to go to church Sunday morning with a south Georgia redneck hick smile! Again, I was greeting our members with my hand over my mouth!

I began asking everyone who their dentist was. I got so many different answers that I couldn't remember any one.

Now, if you know me, you know that I despise dentists... nothing personal, just professionally. I have not had good experiences with them. So, I just don't go unless I do not have a choice about it.

This happened to be one of those times. Mind you, I have at least 3 fillings that have fallen out of other teeth - but THIS one, was obvious.

I first had to find the information about our dental insurance (that took until Tuesday) then I had to find a dentist that took our insurance. Finally, Tuesday afternoon, I was able to set an appointment. They didn't have an opening for over a WEEK!!!! That meant that I had to start a new job and go to church again w/ this gaping beautiful sight!

God had mercy on me! They called this morning and they worked me in today!
On the form there is a question asking if there is anything they need to know about my dental problems. I circled "yes"... and then wrote "FEAR!" and circled it. They took my blood pressure and were so nice and gentle and told me everything they were doing before they did it. He kept asking if I was alright. I guess I sort of scared THEM!

It was one of the best dental experiences I've ever had! (well, my last dentist was absolutely wonderful and he would pray with me and for me) To top it all off, he is a Methodist and is taking his pastor to play golf tomorrow (my hugs'um will love that!). Also... his last name is Bennitt and he could be a relative from my great great great something, Eli Bennett, who moved to OK as a Methodist preacher! Dr. Bennitt said they changed the spelling of their name because there was a horse thief with the same name and they didn't want to be confused. But, we could be related.

Well, now that my image has been repaired, I can smile again with confidence and start my new job at ease! They did make me set up another appointment next month to have my teeth cleaned! I'll keep you posted on that one!