Don’t Forget the Toilet Paper

I Admit It–It’s My Fault

In my home, I usually do the shopping. I go faithfully every week, and because at my house we love to cook and we love to eat, I usually end up with a pretty full cart at the check-out. I don’t do a bad job, really, but there is one thing I can never seem to remember—toilet paper! I always forget the toilet paper! And believe me, this is not something that goes unnoticed!

One of the fundamentals of our rather spoiled society, we always know immediately when we run out of toilet paper, and it is a very uncomfortable situation. It’s hard to determine the proper course of action in those moments when you realize, it’s just not there. I’m certainly not going to make any suggestions here.

I Always Forget the Toilet Paper

It’s hard on my ego, too, because no matter what other wonderful items I buy, it’s the toilet paper that’s going to be missed. I can remember the chicken, the pork chops, several kinds and cuts of cheese, bread, tea, coffee, chocolate (not likely to forget that), and even the good-for-you stuff like milk, apples, and eggs, but all of those can have a substitute in case they’re missing. We can even use baking soda if I forget toothpaste. But what can one substitute for toilet paper? The facial tissues don’t last long and the paper towels are rough and clog things up—there’s just no good option. There’s always the nearest “rippy mart,” but they never have the right brand and it’s always more expensive, and besides, when you realize the need, you are already “in the moment,” so to speak.

I’m really going to try to commit myself to remembering from now on. After all, it’s not like the day is going to come when we’ll get tired of toilet paper or stop needing it—at least not on this side of the grave. Maybe I’ll just begin buying in quantity—a big supply could be a good thing–but then there is the problem of storage.

Love and Toilet Paper

So, what’s my point? First John 3:11 says we should love one another. The Scriptures also teach: “Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred” (Proverbs 15:17); “Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman is fulfilling the law” (Romans 13:8); “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of the house for love, it would not be enough” (Song of Solomon 8:7); “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have the faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I have to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing” (I Corinthians 13:1-3); “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (I John 4:7-8).

Am I trying to say that love and toilet paper are the same? Well, they’re hard to do without, you always know when they’re missing; there is no substitute for the right kind; and the need for them is not going to go away. You be the judge …

God bless you, and whatever else you may forget today, don’t forget to love.

*first published in Coffee on the Porch with Jesus, Beverly R. Green, 2016.