Don’t Forget the Toilet Paper

Last updated on: January 5, 2024 at 11:23 am by Beverly R. Green

Don’t Forget the Toilet Paper 2024-01-05T11:23:40-05:00 Beverly R. Green

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Alexas fotos/pixabay: 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.

General Christian

Family, Parenting and Religion

Previous Post

December 29, 2023

Just A Little Holiday Nostalgia

Next Post

January 10, 2024 The Gospel of Peace--Holy Boots

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Elisha Elijah Moses Samuel