Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD! // Job 1:21
I recently met a new patient at our clinic. He was a soft-spoken man with kind eyes, a wrinkly forehead, and calloused fingers. He had several medical ailments and a complex dental history with inconsistent access to dental care.
After I completed his dental exam, I informed him of my findings, walked him through his dental X-rays while pointing out several areas of concern, I gave him my tentative treatment plan and answered his questions. Throughout his appointment with me, his constant refrain was,
All glory to God.
He told me that it has been years since his last dental exam, and he knows he has a lot of work to do. But he said, “At least I have some teeth left. All glory to God.”
He spoke of his unemployment due to the pandemic and his desire to find a job that would support him and his family. And again, “But my needs are met. All glory to God.”
He told me of his health and his dental pain, his previous job experience and his training.
“It’s been hard, but all glory to God.”
His financial, health, and material circumstances had been dire. But in whole-hearted sincerity, his refrain was All glory to God.
I walked away from that appointment with a renewed conviction. How many times have I watched myself cycle between self-pity and self-righteousness? I’ve told myself, well, if I just prayed harder and better, then this wouldn’t have happened. Or, well, God must be angry with me to let this have happened. It has all stemmed from pride and the lack of acceptance of the role suffering plays in my own life.
But my encounter with this patient has left a profound mark on my heart. And I hope yours too because in suffering, all glory to God. In joy, all glory to God. In pain, all glory to God. In prosperity, all glory to God. In anguish, all glory to God. When I’m angry at Him, still, all glory to God. When my prayers are answered, all glory to God. And when He’s silent, all glory to God.
Sister, think about what is happening in your own life and how you can give all glory to God right where you are today.
All glory to God. // @substance_soulClick to tweet
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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