O God, by your name save me. By your strength defend my cause. O God, hear my prayer. Listen to the words of my mouth. // Psalm 54:3-4
“Gracias, gracias a Dios, gracias,” my patient cried while hugging me. I had just extracted her tooth after weeks of pain and years of no dental care. I hugged her back and released her back into the dental chair while my assistant explained post-extraction care instructions. My patient’s husband warmly shook my hand and thanked me for the care I provided.
My patient suffers from severe dental anxiety. I had met her several appointments before, where she was crying and shaking in the chair. She had been turned away from provider after provider due to her anxiety. I felt such compassion for her suffering, but I knew it would be a challenge to treat her needs. I listened to that nudge on my heart compelling me to do what I could for her.
It took multiple visits to calm her enough to extract her infected tooth but with guided breathing and patience, she was able to make it through the procedure.
After the visit, her husband took her arm and walked towards the waiting room. She looked exhausted but finally out of pain. I was emotionally drained, but content and at peace.
Sister, we are often inundated with the noise of the world, the hectic pace, and the demands of our time. It is hard to hear that still small voice—that prompting from the Holy Spirit—when everything else is so loud.
Make space for some quiet so when you feel that nudge or hear that whisper to your heart, you are able to listen. You may be an answer to someone’s prayer.
Sister, what can you do to hold space for the Holy Spirit today? Can you travel your commute in silence? Can you leave your phone in another room for an hour? Listen to Him.
Dr. Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm is a wife and mom to four little ones and practices dentistry at a public health community center for low income families in the Bay Area, California. She (unashamedly) thinks ice cream is its own food group and does not leave the house without wearing sparkly earrings. She was a contributing author to All She Had. and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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