Complicated Hope

We all use it. We use lots of it.

According to http://encyclopedia.toiletpaperworld.com, the average American spends 3 years of his life in the toilet room and uses 57 squares of toilet paper per day – or 20,805 sheets a year. It’s a $6 billion annual industry (cnn.com) and has been used for everything from Bridal Party Wedding Dresses to tank camouflage during Operation Desert Storm.

Let’s do some math –

The 2014 census placed the US population at 318.9 million people.

18,177,300,000

sheets of toilet paper per day!

or

6,634,714,500,000

sheets per year!

That’s a lot of toilet tissue!

The industry standard can range from 1,000-2,000 sheets per roll yet no matter where I go, I end up changing the roll of toilet paper.

Not joking.

If I have been a guest in your home, I have changed your toilet paper roll. Name a restaurant in Durango – yup, I’ve changed the roll.

Bathrooms between Albuquerque, NM and Tulsa, Oklahoma – done it. Hospitals. Doctor offices. Gas stations, restrooms, hotels – even a Community Recreational Center in Southeastern Colorado.

I’m a firm believer that God uses the ordinary acts to teach us extraordinary lessons – but toilet paper? Seriously?

Recently, I began a private rebellion against putting our bathroom toilet paper on the dispenser roll. I change the roll everywhere else, I’m just not doing it at home! It can sit perched on the previous rolls little cardboard tube!

In one day, I changed 4 rolls in 4 different bathrooms in 1 city!

“God, what are you trying to teach me?” I cried in frustration while accruing time towards my 3 year lifetime toilet room limit.

There are no small jobs.

Oh.

I see every act of service –

picking up trash, putting items back on grocery store shelves,

giving your chair to the elderly.

I see every act of rebellion –

leaving your trash for someone else,

pushing in lines, claiming a seat first,

not serving your family by refusing

to change the toilet paper roll.

Oh my.

If I ask you to change a light-bulb, cook a meal, clear a table at a restaurant, even just share a smile -it has a purpose.

I’m using toilet paper to teach you service. One roll at a time.

I’m sorry, Father.

There are no small jobs.

Only tasks done with great love

in simple obedience.

Never discount what God is asking you to do as insignificant or trivial. Each member of the Body of Christ has a purpose.

“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ,”

1 Corinthians 12:12 (NLT).

You are an essential part of the Body of Christ – regardless of age, size, perceived ability, time, background – God has a job for you to do in His Church!

Ask. Listen. Obey.

And don’t be afraid to change the toilet paper roll!