God wants you to know this

As I wrote this post in my head earlier this week it was a much different story than what I am about to share. There's one reason I am sharing this story with you...because God wants you to know He is ever-present and He hears every prayer you utter. That's the very thing He taught me over the course of two days.

Tuesday
I took my kids to the dentist for a check-up, expecting a quick in and out so we could get on with our day. You see, eight months ago Emma had four of her teeth "sealed" to prevent cavities. Imagine my surprise when the dentist told me that all four fillings had fallen out and Emma had cavities in each tooth in addition to a new one in another tooth! I was shocked to say the least.

Emma was visibly shaken as well. Since her last appointment she has been so diligent at brushing well and flossing each night. We were both speechless.

The dentist explained "this never happens" and he believed it was a bad bonding agent that just didn't adhere. He said he'd "make it right" by resealing the teeth free of charge.

Then he checked Nate. I was told Nate had three cavities! Three! Two of them were in teeth he didn't even have 8 months ago. I was flabbergasted. How could this be?

I was so shaken by the time we left that I had to take several deep breaths before I even started the car. I prayed all the way home and asked God for wisdom. The dentist was suggesting procedures for Nate that I was not comfortable with. I needed more advice. A second opinion.

As soon as I got the kids settled with lunch I called my own dentist. After a lengthy conversation with the receptionist, I had scheduled an appointment for the kids to see my dentist the next day.

Wednesday
I took Emma and Nate to see my dentist, which turned out to be a much better experience. For one thing, the environment was so peaceful and the staff was so good with my kids. (Contrast that with screaming kids and indifferent staff in the other office.)

My dentist checked Emma and Nate's teeth - twice. I told him exactly where the cavities were, and he checked and rechecked them. Then he said, "I just don't see it. I don't see any cavities." {big sigh of relief} He suggested Emma have her 4 teeth resealed. On Nate he did find one small beginning of a cavity, which he said he could fix without any type of anesthesia. It would be a quick, painless fix. I thanked him profusely and we headed home.

Of course on the way home I was so thankful I had taken the kids for a second opinion. I quietly thanked God for leading me in that direction.

A few hours later
After lunch Nate was napping, Emma was watching a movie and I was reading a book. All of a sudden, in the middle of my reading, I very clearly felt the Holy Spirit ask me, "Don't you remember the prayer you prayed last night?" The thought stopped me in my tracks. I thought back to last night when I was laying in bed completely overwhelmed by anxiety from the day. I had prayed just before drifting off to sleep.

My prayer sounded something like this...

Lord, I want to ask you to heal my children's teeth but I don't know if you do that kind of thing. Is it silly to pray such a thing? Do you answer prayers like that? Help my unbelief. Forgive me for doubting you.

I immediately felt the Lord telling me to pray and ask for what was on my heart. So I prayed, "If it's your will, please heal Emma and Nate's teeth. Please heal the cavities in their mouths."

Now sitting in my rocking chair reading a book...I knew without a doubt God had answered my prayer. There was no other explanation. My own dentist knew the pediatric dentist I had taken my kids to and he had nothing but high regards for the man. (It should be noted that I, too, believe the pediatric dentist is a good doctor.)

At that moment the Holy Spirit impressed on my heart that God answered this "small" prayer of mine so I would know with complete certainty — He hears every prayer I pray. And He answers those prayers. Sometimes right away. Sometimes differently than I would like. But He is always with me. I am never out of His presence.

And I knew that I had to share this wonderful answer to prayer with my family — especially my children — and with my friends because it's a simple truth that He wants every believer to cling to. He hears you. He is moved by your prayers.