THANKFUL THURSDAY...a million dollar smile

After 18 months, the wait was finally over with for my teen daughter. 20 appointments later, lots of rubber bands tossed in the trash, every color of wires imaginable and thousand and thousands of dollars later....a brand new smile thanks to 18 months of wearing braces.

On the way to the anticipated orthodontist appointment, my 15 year old daughter wondered if it would be worth it all. What would she look like with the braces off? What if they discovered it didn't work and they would have to put the braces back on?

A short time later, she went into the office to find her answer. Her questions made me think, "just how much is a smile worth?" For us, it cost a mere $6000 (thank goodness for good dental insurance!) But while she was in the back waiting upon her answer, I sat in the waiting room and God showed me a different kind of answer to my question.

• The answer did not come from the orthodontist.
• It didn't come from the dental assistant.
• Nor did it come from the ortho office receptionist.

But the answer came from God thru a little girl that came in with her mommy. As the mommy helped the little 6 year old to a chair, she went to check in at the front desk. She needed her mommies help because she walked with quite a limp, probably from the braces that she wore on both of her legs.

Something about that little girl caught my attention. She had such a sweet spirit about her. So sweet , just looking at her made me smile.

It wasn't long after her mommy came and sat with her, I heard her ask her mommy a question, "Are we the only ones in here mommy?" As her mommy quietly told her "No" and then she shushed her. It was then that I realized that not only did this sweet little sunshine have a handicap that required her to wear braces but she was also blind.

"How much does a smile cost?"

I would imagine that anyone who spent anytime with that little girl would soon realize that the joy and the laughter that was found in her smile was just simply priceless.

PHILIPPIANS 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always, again, I say rejoice!"

A short time later, my daughter came out, she got her answer to her questions. The braces came off and she was beautiful. For a mere $6000 she had a million dollar smile now.

(Just one of my beautiful blessings from God...my daughter, Anna!)

 But  more importantly, the joy that bubbles up from within her spirit is simply priceless to me. So how much does a smile cost? When God breathes His blessings upon us...it is simply priceless!

Today we join IRIS for THANKFUL THURSDAY. What are you rejoicing about? Join your grateful heart with ours by linking up over at GRACE ALONE.