The Odd Inspiration of Pelton and Crane

Since I began writing this blog, I have seen inspiration come in many forms.  Sometimes I struggle with ideas to write about, and sometimes they are right there in front of me.  This last week, that inspiration was staring me right in the face...  or the mouth to be more exact.  My son and I took a trip to the dentist for what should be an annual trip.  I'm too embarrassed to to disclose how long it has really been for me.  What followed was directly out of a Bill Cosby routine, complete with a babbling numb-jawed idiot (yours truly), and a dental assistant, who I'm quite certain was laughing at my attempts to speak an understandable language.

When I realized I was going to be there for the long haul, I began to think more of the blog I had started to write the day before. (an entry to come at a later time to be sure).  After brainstorming ideas for quite some time, I gave up.  I was getting nowhere with my thoughts, which I've noticed is a pattern of common occurrence.  Have you ever been trying to remember someone's name and it just doesn't come to you.  Then later that day, or in the middle of the night, it hits you like a flash of light ?  That's what happened to me...  literally.

I sat there captive to the reclined chair and that light.  That Pelton and Crane dental light.  At first, I was a bit offended at how bright it was.  Couldn't they find one that had a softer glow ?  It's bad enough that I'm laying there with steel hooks in my mouth, but do they need to have the almighty Pelton and Crane blazing in my face too ?  Well...  yes, actually they do.  Can you imagine what it would be like if dentists worked in the dark ?  Not a pretty picture is it ?  It takes that light to see the areas that need to be worked on.  I guess it's not such an offensive light after all.  As a matter of fact, I'm glad they have it.

So of all the things I could be thinking about while in the dentist's office, I was struck with the odd inspiration of Pelton and Crane, and the verse found in Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.


God's word, the Bible, helps to shed some light on us.  It no doubt shows areas of our lives that need some work, and it's not always a painless procedure.  Like dentists working in the dark, living without God's word in my life is not a pretty picture.  I'm glad dentists have Pelton and Crane,and I'm glad I have God's word.

Perhaps you are struggling with a direction to go in life.  Or, you're stumbling and feeling as though you've been left in the dark.  I can assure you that God has not left us without some light.

Oh, and speaking from experience, don't put off going to the dentist for a regular checkup.  It might just save you some pain.