Make A Statement

The orthodontist's office was crowded. There wasn't an empty seat in the place. Kristina, Gabe and I ended up sitting in chairs that were made for toddlers and all three of us are very tall so our knees were literally up by our necks. Kristina was crunched down texting and Gabe and I were flipping through magazines.

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Slowly but surely they called people back and eventually the waiting room emptied out enough that I could sit in an actual seat and then Kristina found a seat across the room and before long all three of us were sitting like "normal" people.

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The nurse called Gabe back and after just a few short minutes they came and got me. The orthodontist told me that Gabe was finally ready for his braces and we discussed his teeth and jaw and as we made our way back out into the waiting room they called Kristina back. I was thinking "I finally got one out of braces and now I've got another one going in them." I joked with the receptionist and told her that by the time she was done with us she would have witnessed both of my children driving, entering high school and one entering college!

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After I made the appointment for the "big day," Gabe and I found a few seats in the corner of the office to wait for Kristina's check-up to finish. I thought I would use the opportunity to talk to him about getting braces and what all that meant and how he would need to take care of them when the conversation took a turn.

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"You know, you get to choose what color ties you want on your brackets every month. Don't pick white because they stain. Don't pick black because it makes your teeth look rotten. Just pick gray. If you pick gray they blend in with the brackets and they aren't that noticeable." I instructed.

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He listened intently and then said "Nah, I'm looking at this braces thing as an opportunity."

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"An opportunity for what?" I asked.

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"An opportunity to make a statement!" He explained.

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Now, what kind of statement is he planning on making you ask. I have no idea but I'm sure the next two and a half years is going to be quite interesting in our house. Gabe loves to bring attention to himself, especially if he thinks it will draw a laugh. I'm sure in the very near future he will walk out of the back of that office with hot pink ties on his brackets. Or, maybe a nice purple and lime green color! Only time will tell!

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"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2 How many times do we try to conform to this world? How many times do we look at our Christianity as being something that is holding us back instead of holding us together? Do you remember that feeling you had in your gut when you asked Jesus to save you? I do! Some days I wonder why I don't feel that feeling and that is when I realize that I am not out there making a statement. Instead, I am hiding and trying to conform to the world. Do you ever find yourself in the same situation?

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Be set apart! Be different! Use today as an opportunity to make a statement for Christ!