We've had several weeks between the end of school and the commencement of our WCS summer basketball camps. I'm not sure if it might be celebrated in our camp but this will be my twentieth year working and perhaps even my 100th session- I lost track of that long ago! It's been a lot of Musical Triple Threat, Cookie Days, free throw clinics, etc. and the years become a kaleidoscope, impossible to differentiate. I've spent time during my break getting ready for my 8th annual Vietnam mission which kicks off in twenty-five days on the Fourth Of July. I've also taken the opportunity to get some dental work started. Part one is in the books and was detailed nine days ago in a blog entitled What My Dentist Said Today. Part two will be on June 19th or in ten days. Two days after step one of the procedure, I returned to the gym to lift. However, I made an addition to my normal equipment of t-shirt, shorts, shoes-socks, lifting gloves. I started wearing the mouth guard I use when sleeping for teeth grinding. Since I have a temporary crown, it only makes sense to protect it as best I can. There's quite a bit of clenching the teeth when lifting but I still kind of feel like a middle school kid with a retainer at lunch time. I take it out when people talk to me and I feel the need to explain. Oh well, just a little while longer!
When I googled weight lifting when wearing mouth guards, I found out that a number of lifters wear them when working out. One source stated that you are sixty times more likely to suffer dental damage as a strength athlete when NOT wearing a mouth guard as opposed to wearing one. Also, there are studies which indicate that strength increases when the athlete clinches their teeth so it would seem logical to use one. While all that was interesting to me, I have a very simple reason for using mine. Dental work is painful as well as expensive so I am protecting my temporary crown and bridge. I don't want to go through that stage again as well as possibly risking permanent damage. I'm smart enough to sense a risk so I'm taking precautionary measures to guard my teeth. The Scriptures make reference to being careful in the same manner. We're told to guard our steps (Ecclesiastes 5:1) and to guard our mouth means to preserve our life. (Proverbs 13:3) Proverbs 4:23 teaches us to guard our hearts with the exclamation point of above all else. Why would we need to guard these parts of our physical beings? Because we know ourselves intimately and we have a good idea of what is dangerous to our well-being. The cute, and married, co-worker. An acquaintance we tend to react to with anger. A vice which dominates our thoughts. But we are not left without help! Prayer, the Word of God, the armor of God, the Holy Spirit who helps us in our weaknesses, the blood of Jesus, and something we often forget, our brothers and sisters in Christ, are there in the struggles. Satan is real and we can't lose that awareness. This life isn't permanent and neither are several of my teeth in the short run. Will I keep wearing my mouth guard when I'm back to normal? I think I will! Gives me an excuse to clinch my teeth which aligns my jaw which makes me stronger which makes me....... That remains to be seen!
Applicable quote of the day:
Hair is the first thing. And teeth the second. Hair and teeth. A man got those two things he's got it all.
James Brown
God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
www.hawleybooks.com
E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com
1 comment:
Once I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you possibly can remove me from that service? Thanks! casino play
Post a Comment