Another sultry summer day crowned with Father Sky’s beautiful cloud free blue heavens. I spent two hours in the dentist chair this morning getting a permanent crown on one side, temporary crown on the other side. There was a tall pink crepe myrtle out the office’s tall window so I watched for birds while the dentist worked. The dental implant procedure will last till Christmas so Santa Claus is bringing me a “get out of the dentist chair” free card for Christmas. I’ll put it in our Monopoly game. I love ice cream being considered a soft food! I’ve quit eating butter pecan because of the nuts but I’m enjoying the Blue Bell chocolate. Got tickled by this Soupy Sales quote, “Be true to your teeth or they will be false to you.” I love that!

I’m back on the porch after supper, the lure of a beautiful sunset calling to me from the day’s gloaming. I can see the sun’s bright white ball beaming through an ancient oak like a lighthouse beacon over the blue ocean waters of the horizon. As the light filters through the oak leaves I can see the rainbow prisms of the sun’s rays. As the day darkens a small jewel of pink appears in the sky as the cicadas synchronize their calls and tune up their timbals.

The Bible Hub says “teeth are often mentioned in both literal and metaphorical contexts, symbolizing strength, power, and sometimes judgment or suffering. The imagery of teeth is used to convey various spiritual and moral lessons throughout the Scriptures.”

I looked for Bible scriptures mentioning teeth this afternoon while I was reading and a lot of verses I read spoke of “gnashing of teeth,” the scriptures using teeth as a metaphor for the wicked. Proverbs 25:19 states that “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint,” advising us when we face trying times we should not put our trust in an unreliable person.

Next I searched for scripture about smiling and I found several verses highlighted smiling as an expression of joy. Proverbs 15:13 states, “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.” We should all have smiles on our faces from the blessings of God’s peace and grace. I’ve always heard it takes more muscles to frown than to smile. Nothing is as beautiful as a genuine smile, a ray of happy sunshine for the recipient. Numbers 6:25-26 reads, “The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Describing a beautiful smile we read King Solomon’s words to his bride in the Song of Solomon 4:2, “Your teeth are as white as sheep that have just been shorn and washed. Not one of them is missing; they are all perfectly matched.” Made me smile as I thought of my new teeth as a flock of sheep.

“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight,” Phyllis Diller

I’ve often thought of God’s smile and I know it’s warm and full of love. His scowl complete with thunder and lightening is probably stern and scary. He has to smile with a twinkle in his eyes as he looks down on the beauty of the world he created. I’m sure he weeps at our transgressions, too, and prays for the world to find kindness and forgiveness.

Smiling makes everyone around us feel happier. Smiling is a blessing to others, reflecting God’s goodness. To see God’s smile, Ephesians 5:10 states, “Figure out what will please Christ, then do it.”

“Joy is God’s smile; love is God’s laughter.” — Matshona Dhliwayo