Repulsive

I’ve never been the type of mom to overreact. If I spent hours with a kid in the doctor’s waiting room, you can bet it was absolutely necessary.  And this time, the visit was not only necessary but an appointment we wouldn’t soon forget.

It all started with bad breath.  And I don’t mean just your run-of-the-mill halitosis.  I’m talking about a terrible odour radiating from our four-year-old’s mouth.  No amount of brushing, flossing (under duress), or breath mints could override the stench.

After many weeks, I gave in and dragged the boy to our pediatrician. 

“An infection,” he assured me with his all-knowing “I’m a doctor” smile, and promised that antibiotics would fix the lad right up.  They didn’t. We tried the whole gamut, one after the other, but none could rid him of the putrid smell.

Our son had no pain or discomfort at all. It was, in fact, the rest of us who suffered.  Have you ever noticed that small children whisper into your face and not your ear?

At our wit’s end, we were finally referred to a specialist.  Shining his super cool pen light up the boy’s nose he spotted the culprit.  Next, and my eyes water at the memory, he inserted his slim metal grabber tool so far up the nostril I was sure it came to rest on the surface of his brain.  Latching on, the doctor slowly and deliberately dragged out a splotchy, slimy, grey-black wad. 

Instantly, the entire examining room filled with an oppressive sick odour. With great urgency, the doc sped from the office gripping the prize outstretched far from his body.  He rushed out of the examining room, out of the clinic, and clear to the curbside garbage. 

Returning to us briefly, and looking rather unwell I might add, he explained his findings.  The culprit was a Bandaid, in a tight ball, way, way up his nose.

Goodness knows why, how, or how long ago this had happened as no recent injuries were remembered at the time.

Aren’t we sometimes like my little boy?  We have something festering deep inside us and may not even be aware.  Maybe it’s easier for others to notice, the foul odour exuding at inopportune moments.

Anger, jealousy, unforgiveness, tucked away, wound up tightly, perhaps forgotten. But a bump, a jostle, and the stink!  It barges in, uninvited, a rancid influence in our words, our reactions.  It flows out into the room, an uninhibited stench that nobody misses.

Out of the overflow of our hearts, our mouths speak.  My good friend Cheryl taught me this.  When my glass is bumped, the contents will spill.  If our hearts are full of bitterness, it is bitterness that naturally slips out when life rattles us.

Listen, sister let’s get rid of these things!

1. Listen, pay attention to the Spirit and what He is telling you. 
2. Recognize where you’re going wrong and ask Him for forgiveness. 
3. Ask God if there is anyone you are holding a grudge against.  Is there any offense unforgiven?  Like a rotting Bandaid, remove it.  With God’s help, we can forgive.

He will freshen up our hearts and sweeten our speech, like a cool, fresh breath mint.

♥ Tess

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:12-13

 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4: 31-32

And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment].
Matthew 6:12 The Message