Too Busy To Wiggle My Tooth

“… And let those who understand receive guidance by exploring the depth of meaning in these proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles.” Proverbs 1:5-6 (New Living Translation)

Too Busy to Wiggle my Tooth

Another new year – wow! Last year seemed to go by at the speed of light. It is hard for me to believe that I have now lived in the Edmonton, Alberta, area for nearly 5 years. In a way, it seems I have always been here, and yet in a way, it seems like just yesterday that I fell in love with this most improbably lovable area of the world.

There is no place like the Edmonton area in December. Honestly, what a beautiful Christmas it always is here. Although there is not a lot of mixed vegetation here in general, we do have a large number of pine trees. Throughout this holiday season they have been heavily snow-capped, making for very lovely vistas at every turn. Gorgeous winter skies – muted sunrises and pastel sunsets – provide the perfect backdrop for these majestic Christmas trees that grace the area with their beauty.

I was quite excited about Christmas baking this year. My friend Rachel, in Florida, gave me a recipe for Cheese Crackers/ Biscuits Dusted with Powdered Sugar – something I figured no one would have tasted here since it is a southern recipe. So, I produced dozens of those while house-sitting at my friends, Brian & Sherry Wine’s home. Here is the recipe. Combine ½ cup butter with 1 cup of shredded medium cheddar cheese and 1 cup of flour. Form a log with the dough and refrigerate. As desired, cut ¼ or ½ inch slices and place on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for anywhere from 10 – 18 minutes depending on the width of the slices. The cheese should be a little browned when they come out of the oven. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar. Yummy.

I spent Christmas Day with my friends Bob & Jocelyn and their family. We had a wonderful meal, great conversation, and played Apples to Apples – good time all the way around. Charles, Jen, Cory, Jean-Marc, and Angie are great to hang out with.

The following evening, I visited Dennis & Connie and their family. I met Dennis’ brother Brian, his wife Terry and son Nate. We also played Apples to Apples, which was just as much fun with 10 people, too! It was at some point during that game that Connie told me her granddaughter Breyar had a loose tooth and then asked Breyar if she was wiggling her tooth. Breyar replied, “I am too busy to wiggle my tooth!”

It is often out of the mouths of babes that unexpected wisdom flows, isn’t it? I thought of myself as a little girl and I remembered how when I had loose teeth, I was anxious to get them out so the tooth fairy would have the opportunity to come and deposit a gift under my pillow. Back in those days, it was probably no more than a quarter! I don’t think I was ever too busy to wiggle my tooth.

But now, things are quite a bit different than when I was a little girl. We are inundated with activities and external stimuli. I know I pack it in. We seem to think of sitting still as a sin. What is up with that? Sometimes I think we equate “working hard” to “being busy”. And the most commonly heard mantras or sayings these days are “I’m just so busy …” and “I’ve got so much to do…”

I’m not speaking of others here. This last year I was too busy to workout, to pray consistently, to go to bed early, to get up early enough to do my reading at the best time of the day, to develop some relationships, to submit paperwork on time, to send Christmas gifts in the least expensive manner instead of the most expensive manner, to eat right, to keep my home clean and in order, etc., etc., etc. What am I too busy doing to do these other vital things?

Lord, please help me to prioritize and perform my activities in a way that honors you and what you would desire for my life. Please give me the strength to avoid those activities that would detract or distract me from experiencing a great year in 2009. I pray for the strength and desire to accept the challenges that come my way for benefitting your kingdom. Please help me see that it is not always wise to be too busy to wiggle my tooth!