Why can't teeth be like fingernails?

http://www.niddriedental.com.au/tooth-pain/

Why can't teeth grow in like fingernails?  Fingernails grow in and no one thinks twice about them, until it's time to cut them because they are scratching you.  As a new mama, of a 5 month old that is cutting her first teeth, this question plays over and over in my head day in and day out.

The truth is that we often want the results without the work.  Teething is painful and hard work for everyone involved.   But, when it's all said and done, the baby has a full set of beautiful teeth that will lead said child through years of healthy eating.  In the throes of the screaming, fevers, lack of appetite, ear pulling, and general discontent we forget the outcome that we are working for.  We want to throw in the towel.  And, heaven forbid that we take this time to pull out the comparison cards and see how our baby stands up to other babies.  Is she teething early or late?  Does she scream more than other babies?  Should I give her the Tylenol or not?  It all becomes too much and we think to ourselves, "I can't do this."

Good news: You don't have to do this on your own.  The first verse that comes to mind is "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."  And, while Paul's words are true and helpful they are not the extent to which Christ wants to help us.  Yes, in our weakness He can show his strength, but how does he show it?  Where can we find it?  Is it just in ourselves that we will find the Holy Spirit and the strength to make it through those long nights with short amounts of sleep?  No, God did not create us to live alone.

Paul has another tidbit of wisdom for us in his second letter to the Corinthians.
       
                "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

So I'm going to share where I have found God's comfort in this rough time so that you all can find comfort too if you find yourself in a similarly rough situation.  Please share the comfort you have found, please. I need the help.  What did you do that made teething easier?

The most important comfort I have found is prayer.  I have been praying over that little baby girl as she screams and writhes in pain and as I cry right along with her.  My heart aches for her.  I want to take the pain away.  I even asked God to give me the tooth pain so that she could feel better.  But, then she wouldn't get her teeth.  But, more than just praying, I'm praying scripture over her.  One verse in particular stands out.  Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope an a future.'"

God has a plan for my baby girl.  God has a plan for her pain.  Her mouth hurts like crazy right now, but soon she will be happy again and smiling with a mouth full of little teeth.  God is good.  It also bring together the second half of Psalms 30:5 "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."  Honestly it may not be tomorrow morning.  Her crying may last for more than one night, but it will end.  She will endure.  She will get her teeth.

The same truth can be applied to our adult lives.  We face struggles.  Life is hard.  Dating, marriage, dieting, working, and the list goes on and on.  But, we can comfort one another in Christ as we have found comfort in our own struggles.  We have to build each other up, not tear each other down.  And, weeping and struggling doesn't last forever.  Eventually it will be over.  It will get easier.  So in the midst of my teething mess when I feel so #unsuper because I can't make my daughter feel better, God shows up.  #GodSuper I don't have to make her feel better, I just have to be there and do everything in my power...then let God take it from there.