June 12, 2025
I have the sweet privilege of going to local elementary schools as the Tooth Fairy. I have a white curly wig, pink cat-eye glasses, a pink skirt, a pink sequinned top, pink sequinned shoes, and a white sequinned cape. I also have a white sequined tooth-shaped purse. In the purse, I carry my “magic wand” - a two-foot-long toothbrush, along with a long piece of wide ribbon I call “magic string.” (It’s pretend floss.)
I talk to kindergarteners and first graders about taking care of their teeth. We cheer, we sing, we dance, and I read my favorite “tooth” book. It makes brushing fun. Cavities and toothaches are no laughing matter. My hope, truly my prayer, is that the children will let my words root down in their young hearts and they will want to have good habits to take care of their teeth.
All dressed up, I don’t look like me at all. Cloaked in sparkle, I’m almost completely unrecognizable. When I see kids I know, I hope they won’t realize it’s me. My voice is the same, and I may seem familiar, but I want them to be so focused on the words, the songs, and the fun that I am thoroughly disguised.
I am reminded of the story in Luke 24:13-35 when Jesus was disguised. Two men made the seven-mile trek home to Emmaus from Jerusalem that first Easter morning, overcome with grief, disappointment, and confusion. They had put their faith in Jesus and didn’t know what to do. Jesus came up to them as they walked along the way, but they were kept from knowing Him.
“What are you talking about?” Jesus asked. The men stopped in their tracks, bewildered. “Are you the only one around here who doesn’t know?” Cleopas wanted to know.
The guys told about Jesus, who had been powerful in word and deed but had been crucified. They had hoped He was the one who would redeem Israel. They added that the women had seen angels who told them Jesus was alive.
Jesus had an answer: “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” I would have loved to hear that.
As they arrived at their destination, they urged Jesus strongly to stay with them. So, He did.
Jesus was at the table with them. It wasn’t His house or His food, yet He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and shared it. And that’s when they knew. It had been Jesus Himself walking and talking with them. Their eyes were opened and then He was gone.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
I’ve often wondered what it was that kept them from knowing it was Jesus. Did He actually look different or were their eyes veiled with heartbreak and disappointment? But wasn’t His voice still the same? One thing was for sure: His words had rooted in their hearts and it burned.
Wasting no time, the two raced seven miles back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples. It’s one of my favorite stories.
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Dawn Reed is a pastor's wife, newspaper columnist, and the author of Weiner Stew: Inspiring Stories from Appalachia. Reach her at preacherswife7@yahoo.com.
