I’ve recently determined that I owe a lotmore than a corrected crossbite and an empty pocketbook to my daughter’s orthodontist. I also owe him for a newly developingrelationship with my daughter, Avery.

You see, if you happen to be one of the lucky few steeped in orthodontia (sarcasm fully intended) then you will understand that it is a very time-consuming process. And if you are also the type who likes to choose an office located in what could be potentially the farthest section of town, like me, you soon learn that there will be many a car ride to and from appointments in your future.

What I’ve alsocome to realize is that the long car ride is not only the perfect arena tobust out some serious”Mamma Mia”but it also allows a prime opportunity to converse with my daughter.

And she’s funny. Her seven year-old intellect is still young enough to be adorable but mature enough to come up with some thought-provoking topics.

On our most recent journey to the orthodontist’s office she was throwing out some real doozies.

“I want an iPhone,” she says, rather randomly.

“Um, why? You’re seven. What would you do with an iPhone?” I asked.

“Uh, make phone calls. It’s an i—phone, mom.”

Riiight. Thanks for pointing that out.

Not long after the iPhone conversation, I threw in a Christian music CD, Point of Grace. Although I’m not a huge Christian music fan, I’ve always loved this particular group and honestly think I should have been invited to join. I mean, I can sing me some Point of Grace. Granted, in order to fully appreciate my sound, it’s necessary for me to perform from my vehicle. But I’m pretty sure I could have phoned my part in. Anyway.

Avery was listening intently to the music and said, “This song is really good. It’s about Jesus.”

“It is a good song,” I agreed.

“Hey, did you know that Jesus is in our hearts? It makes Him happy when we sing about Him,” she preached.

“Yes. And we should be very glad that He’s in our hearts,” I added.

“Yeah. God was really busy when He made the world. Did you know He’s got the whole world in His hands?”

Now, at this point I must admit I was a bit flustered. We are a Christian family and have attended church services (full disclosure: nowhere near as often as we should) but Avery’s sudden interest in conversing about God was a little startling. I had to check the backseat to make sure Billy Graham wasn’t riding shotgun, feeding her lines. She seemed so resolute. I was proud of the little gal.

After the mini-sermon, we reached Avery’s orthodontist’s office, heard the standard “another six weeks, yada, yada, yada” and headed back towards home.

On the drive through town I made a startling observation. In almost 12 city blocks we had not yet had to stop for a single red light. It was as if my car had been equipped with some little “green light guarantee”doo-dad. We cruised through each and every intersection, smiling broadly atthe cross traffic sitting at their respective traffic lights as we blew through ours.

I said, “Wow, Avery. We got really lucky with the traffic lights. Not a single red one. That almost never happens.”

And then Avery, in all of her newly acquired spiritual wisdom, said…

“Yeah…I bet it’s ’cause of allthe Jesus music.”

Man, I love that girl.

Happy Friday All!

Mindy