Toothpicks

Years ago toothpicks were just something to pick up cheese or pieces of cantalope with. 

Then came the day I stepped on one in my bare feet.  It had been accidentally dropped and was stuck in thc carpet. I didn't see it, and it was at the perfect angle to jab deep into my foot.  The pain was horrible and it made my stomach roll seeing it sticking out of the bottom of my foot.  After it was removed, I hobbled around for days and I was very cautious about where my bare feet were. 

Fastforward several years:
At the funeral home memory table, I had a container with toothpicks.  For my beloved often had a tooth pick in his mouth, to pick his teeth with, to chew on, to play with with his fingers...  When we were dating he even added a wooden toothpick holder to my elephant collection! 

 And now whenever I see a toothpick, I smile and think of my beloved.  Unless my children have them scattered across the floor, then the old painful memory of a sore foot comes to mind. 

It is interesting how because of our experience, how a simple item like a toothpick can bring back painful or sweet memories.  It all depends on how we want to look at it.  The interesting thing is our minds cannot think of both memories at once.  So we choose.  Sometimes we let our minds wander.  Sometimes we conciously choose which one we meditate on. 

It is kind of like it depends it you hold a toothpick by the middle or the tip.  Roll it smoothly between your thumb and finger or poke yourself with it.  We choose.  Let us also remember we choose what we want to think upon.

Philippians 4:7-8
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;