They say you’ve seen it all by a certain age, but life has a way of keeping us humble and amused. Case in point: my youngest grandchild showed up for a sleepover, proudly carrying his dinosaur toothbrush and his own tube of toothpaste. Apparently, Mimi’s toothpaste just wasn’t up to snuff.
But this wasn’t just any toothpaste. Oh no! This was a magical, color-changing toothpaste. “It turns from blue to pink when I’ve brushed long enough!” he declared with awe only a six-year-old can muster.
Now, I don’t know about you, but this was news to me. A toothpaste that measures your effort? With a glimmer in his eye, Daxtyn brushed and brushed and brushed some more until the job was complete by the color test.
After two books and another cup of water, he went off to bed, but it got me thinking: Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a similar gauge for our faith? The Bible says: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (II Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
As I reflected on Daxtyn’s toothpaste, three things became clear to me:
- The Swipe vs. the Scrub:
Sometimes, we treat God’s Word with a quick swipe – just enough to get by. However, deep cleaning requires time, focus, and effort. Psalm 1:2 reminds us that the person who delights in God’s law and meditates on it day and night is like a tree planted by water, bearing fruit in all seasons. Are we just ‘swiping,’ or are we ‘scrubbing’ our hearts with His truth?
- Check Your Tools:
Just like my grandson’s special toothpaste ensures thoroughness, we need tools that hold us accountable for our spiritual hygiene. It can be a Bible reading plan, a prayer journal, or a small group study. Hebrews 4:12 declares the Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. Let’s use it to reveal the areas where we need more ‘brushing.’
- Look in the Mirror:
My grandson didn’t rely on Mimi’s word – he had his own toothpaste. Similarly, our faith isn’t about someone else’s journey – it is a deeply personal relationship with God. James 1:22-24 challenges us not to be hearers of the Word only, but doers. How often do we read God’s Word and walk away unchanged, forgetting what we’ve read and seen?
Who knew a tube of toothpaste could teach such a profound lesson? Next time you pick up your toothbrush, ask yourself: Am I doing enough to make my faith shine? Just as my grandson relies on his trusty toothpaste to ensure his teeth are squeaky clean, let’s rely on god’s Word and Spirit to transform our hearts. What’s one step you can take today to ‘brush up’ your spiritual hygiene?
Jackie I love the way you put two topics and find a connection to both. Awesome.
Dawn, we do learn a lot from our grandchildren, don’t we. I am so grateful for a teachable heart. Thank you for responding to this cute story.