Newlyweds separated by one very large ocean. One lonely toothbrush standing all by itself on top of her dresser in the Navy barracks in Southern Italy.
One year later together at last! Two toothbrushes hanging side by side.
Two kids later, a nice perfect family. One boy, one girl; one husband, one wife and four well-worn toothbrushes thrown together in a gooey, white paste crusted cup.
Eighteen years of reminding her son to brush his teeth, the toothbrush is then packed away in a small bag traveling to a Chicago destination: Boot camp! “I’m not ready for this one to leave” she cries, but she knows he is.
Three toothbrushes which should have been together for a much longer period of time suddenly diminished. One day the husband took his bristle deprived toothbrush and moved out. He no longer wanted to be a part of the “family of toothbrushes” he wanted out on his own. To sail his own ship without a crew. “Why does he have to leave?” she begs. Her cries fell on deaf ears, he had already tuned her out, turned his back and walked away.
Two toothbrushes remained, but not for long! The aspiring daughter left home to make her way in the world. It was as it should be, however it was still hard to watch as that next to last toothbrush was packed away. It went to Southern California along with hope, ambitions and student loans.
One “single” toothbrush remained. It tilted low to the side of the cup because there were no others for it to lean against. “How will I ever survive alone?” she whispered. There was no hope, no revelation, no miracle. She waited, and waited but nothing happened. Then over time she realized she had had the answer all along. “Jesus, I’m not alone for You are with me. You have always been with me. You have seen each toothbrush arrive, and You have seen each one leave. Nothing happens that You don’t know about. YOU will never leave me or forsake me. I am Your precious bride, and You love me with an unending love.”
She went to the store, bought a brand new toothbrush and put it next to her worn one in the cup. “There” she exclaimed! “Now I will always remember that even though loved ones will come and go, God is always with me. This is no longer my trial, but my testimony of His unfailing love for me.”
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