Last night, I - once again - had the time of my life at a Kenny G concert. I've lost track of how many I've gone to now, but I am grateful for each and every one. Getting to see him play live is truly a dream come true for me which has been made possible by God and only God. Being a fan of Kenny's for nearly 25 years has been an amazing journey.
At one point, he was talking to the audience (us) about how they (the band) were so happy to be playing in such a beautiful theatre, but shortly after the show, they would be on a bus for 12 hours (all night!) headed for Alabama. He was joking around that he was certainly in no hurry to go, not only because of the long trip ahead but because he has trouble sleeping on the bus.
I thought about his comments this morning as I sat at the dentist's office. Last night, an awesome evening of bliss at a Kenny G concert. This morning, the dentist. From the mountaintop to the pit. Blah.
I haven't been to the dentist in many years. When I started drinking, I more or less stopped going to the dentist. Not to mention, there were several periods of time when I didn't have the benefits to cover the cost, anyway. Having general anxiety about dentists based on my awful childhood experiences didn't motivate me to keep going, either.
Needless to say, my teeth have been neglected. They could be worse, but they are pretty jacked up and need some attention.
God's been dropping hints for about a year that it's time to go. You know how He is. I'll pull up behind a car and the bumper sticker says "1-800-Dentist" or I see a commercial and the spokesperson says, "Hey, do you have a friend who needs to go to the dentist but won't go?" Or maybe it was a billboard with a giant tooth on it. LOL! He's so funny sometimes!!!
A few weeks ago, I heard a quick ad on 91.9 (New Life) for a local dentist and I felt, in my spirit, that it's where I should go. I pressed past my denial and made an appointment.
I was a little bit nervous this morning, but I had prayerfully decided that even if they told me all of my teeth needed to be ripped out and it was time for dentures that I would be okay with such a verdict.
I arrived a few minutes late and needed to fill out the initial paperwork before being seen since it was my first time there. As I sat quietly and began to write down my information, I noticed there was very serene Christmas music playing overhead. I thought: well, that's nice.
Within 5-10 minutes, I noticed a very familar sound coming from those speakers. On the first note of "Oh Holy Night", I knew it was my Kenny G. Tears began to swell up in my eyes (and I am crying now as I type this) because I immediately knew the Lord was using that song and my favorite musician to let me know I was in the right place and that He was with me. It was such a profound moment.
That would've been enough on His part, but He didn't stop there. The assistant (who took care of me) and I quickly began to share on a personal level. Her testimony is much like mine in that she partied for many years, too, and her life was out of order. When she left the examination room to go get the doctor, I couldn't help but to sit there and cry. I was tearful when the doctor walked in, and I am still crying now.
In the car on the way home, I knew the Lord wanted this to be my next blog post. While writing it just now, He gave me the Scripture that fits.
"If you keep My commandments (if you continue to obey My instructions), you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live so in His love. I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing." (John 15:10-11)
I was afraid to go, and dreading it. I left there with so much joy overflowing that I cannot contain the tears today.
The Lord is even at the dentist office with us. How amazing and so very personal is our God!!!!!!!! Jesus rocks!!!!!!!!!!
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