We have something in our home that we did not purchase and never would purchase, at least on purpose. This item was really 4 items, and they were all the same and came in one bag and were handed to us to be used daily. From those clues you probably still haven’t guessed what we have that we would never have purchased. These 4 items are paper products that I am sure everyone uses in some form or another. And if anyone wants to share our 4 items with us, we would be glad to share! I refuse to call it sharing our wealth because probably no one would call them desirable. We do not. We are the recipients of 4 rolls of single-ply toilet tissue, and we are sure that someone must have purchased them by mistake, didn’t like what they purchased and decided to do the charitable thing and give them away! But I have often heard that when you want to do a favor, you should give of your best! In my estimation, if you like this kind of TP, then you can call it the best! But for us, that definitely is not our opinion, and we were not thankful for the gift. It is TP that you can literally read through. I would call it old-fashioned tracing paper. But that is not what it was sold as. I like to often use 3 squares of our regular TP but—–with this very thin see through kind, I need probably 21+ squares to accomplish the same thing! The first roll seemed to last FOREVER! We haven’t wanted to try the next roll. The next roll we are now using was back to our normal brand. We are definitely planning to space the remaining 3 rolls out, but in the meantime, we are hoping we figure out a better use for them. [Practicing good stewardship!] For now, I haven’t investigated what the brand might be or how much it would have cost. If I knew that information, I am sure that I would not have a good customer review for them! My word for the product is WORTHLESS! It won’t even clean up a spill on the floor. And for anyone who likes to grab some tissue for a drippy nose—don’t do it with this product! Our unhappiness with it led me to ask what lessons could we learned from our experience?
Cheap, see-through toilet paper can remind that sometimes, something that looks flimsy and inadequate in our own hands is often still enough for God’s daily provision for us. When we hold up a thin, single-ply sheet of toilet paper to the light and see right through it, our first instinct is doubt. We wonder how something so fragile looking can possibly handle the mess. In life, we often look at our own strength, resources, or faith and feel the same way—we are too thin, too transparent, maybe even too worn out. Unlike the thick, padded layers we try to use and put on for the world to cover-up our flaws, see-through toilet paper has nothing to conceal. Psalm 139 reminds us that all our ways are laid bare and transparent before God. Transparency is not our weakness to be ashamed of; it is the exact place where His grace starts working.
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to
say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!”
God does not always hand us heavy, luxurious reserves, 2-ply toilet tissue for tomorrow; often, He gives us just enough for the moment. Like the manna that was given to the Hebrews in the wilderness, cheap or sparse supplies strip away our false sense of self-reliance and force us to trust that the Creator who oversees the sparrow, also supplies the mundane, unglamorous necessities of everyday life (Matthew 6:31–33).
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. The Israelites did not consider the manna the best that God could have provided. They wanted the 2-ply or even 3-, maybe 4-ply tissue—the free fish, leeks, onions and garlic, and cucumbers and watermelons! No manna for them even though it was sufficient! The single ply did the job for us, but we just wanted the thicker 2-ply! We were convinced what we didn’t want after just one roll!
I’m sure you’ve heard the crazy stories of people hoarding toilet paper in 2020 (and before that in 1973 caused by a Johnny Carson joke), among other hoarded things, and how many stores were running out and having to ration the number of packages they allowed people to purchase. A Psychologist, who was being interviewed on the news, said the reason people were buying up toilet paper was because it gave them a sense of control, when their lives feel out of control. While I’m not sure why toilet paper, if that’s what brings people comfort and makes them feel in control, it’s just proof positive that apart from God we are utterly foolish. Personally, I am glad God is in control of everything, even TP or Manna!
People reject the Creator and turn to creation to find comfort and security. Creation was never meant to bring us satisfaction; it is merely a sign that is pointing us to the One who can satisfy. Toilet paper, as wonderful as it is, was never designed to be where we find our security. True security can only be found in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
See how similar we are to the nation of Israel from 2600 years ago. God was faithful to them and yet they rejected Him. God was able to provide for them, care for them, rescue them, and yet they turned their back on Him. See any similarities? Toilet paper is great for what it was created for, but it makes a terrible foundation to build your life on. In times of chaos and panic, the only thing that can truly bring security is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Think of what brand of certain products you like and refuse to try another brand. You like the brand you are using now just fine and don’t want to change. Tomorrow, why not decide to try a different brand of yogurt or flavor or maybe a different cereal for breakfast and yes, even toilet paper. We can be so set on one brand or thing that it never crosses our mind to try a different one. You may find out you like the old product better but at least you did learn something. It wasn’t a total waste. Then again, you may find out you like the purple brand better than the blue. That discovery may not change your world, but it might make you rethink old ways of doing things. That old way of being in a rut may be keeping you from doing something better. I write about real life
things about or concerning me. This week was one of those very real days. I’m just being honest. Maybe you had a good chuckle at our distress. The Bible tells us a merry heart does good like a medicine. We also know laughter does the body good so go ahead and laugh until you are either blue or purple in the face. I’ll let you choose the color you like best.
REMEMBER, JESUS CHRIST IS LORD AND SAVIOR FOREVER! IS HE YOURS? IF NOT, HE WANTS TO BE. SEEK HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND, IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY AND YOU WILL FIND HIM. YOU WILL HAVE FOUND THE ONE AND ONLY LORD AND SAVIOR. THERE IS NO OTHER. No Substitutes for me!
Realizing that your faith is low is like being caught without toilet paper. You can scramble for substitutes, (maybe some paper towels?) but Kleenex and Bounty don’t flush well. Nothing works better than the real thing. So keep stocked up on faith. I can meditate day and night on the promises of God. If nothing new comes to mind, I can remind myself of His faithfulness in the past, in my own life or the lives of others. When your panty is empty, sooner or later, you’ll have to make a run to the store. Even if you eat out every night, I’ve never met anyone that can manage without toilet paper. Hard to be creative in that arena. You’ve seen these folks. Standing in the check-out line with nothing but perhaps a family pack of Charmin Mega rolls. You know they waited until they totally ran out. Shifting their weight from side to side, they stand there fidgeting with their debit card in one hand, ready to swipe, and their salvation in the other. You can even see their need in their eyes. That’s the point of desperation. I admit! We’ve been there a time or two for cat food! We could have prepared ahead! But we didn’t. I usually conceal my desperation with at least a couple of other essential items. I really came to the store for the gallon of milk and the box of Corn flakes I plunked down onto the counter. The toilet paper was an afterthought. Right!!!!!!? Hmmmmmmm!?
I need to keep my spiritual pantry stocked up with faith stories. Keep them there for a rainy day. Remember the times the Holy Spirit brought reconciliation in an angry dispute. When God took the Israelites out of Egypt and parted the Red Sea, He told the Israelites over and over to remember the miracles in the days of old and to consider the generations past. Why? Because we all have short-term memories. We need to be reminded. Remember the things he has done for you. Remember the things he has done for others. Remember the times He miraculously provided for you when you were down to your last dime. Remember the times Jesus cried with you. Remember all the aha-moments when the light finally came on, the divine connections and coincidences that you knew only God could orchestrate. Remembering fuels our faith.
David consoled himself. He said in Psalm 77:11, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” The prophet Joel urges us: “Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your forefathers? Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.” Joel 1:2-3 We must remember. We must remind ourselves and our families.
When we recall his faithfulness in the past, it encourages us to believe for the future. God is the same God today. Nothing is impossible with God. He can do it again!
Dear Lord, Forgive me for the times that I have focused on doom and gloom and the awfulness of single-ply. I want to remember Your faithfulness and the amazing things that you have done for me, the 2, 3, and 4-ply days. I want to meditate on how You have met my needs and even desires and even with single-ply. Please help me to focus on faith and keep it well stocked in my spiritual pantry. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:12
Faith is like toilet paper, even 1-ply. You can’t get by without it!