Toilet Paper

 

When we got to the hotel in Belize, 

I saw a sign hanging in the bathroom, 

But I didn’t pay any attention to it.

I assumed that it said not to throw anything but toilet paper into the toilet.

I see those signs all the time.

No big deal.

 

I was wrong.

 

This sign said to not throw toilet paper into the toilet!

Instead, it said, use the trashcan.

 

Evidently, because of the design of the septic system,

This is customary in Belize (and some other countries as well.)

Before arriving, I had no idea. 

 

I must confess,

I was really bad at this new way of using the restroom! 

I succeeded often 

But failed equally as much, 

Going on autopilot and not thinking enough to alter a lifetime of habit. 

 

Old habits are hard to break,

Even when good intentions are there. 

 

It takes 

Time, 

Intention, 

Effort, and 

Focus 

To shift behavior and do something new. 

 

It also takes 

Grace,

Forgiveness, and 

Determination to keep trying 

When we mess up. 

It’s easy to feel defeated. 

But we must keep going if we want to see something new. 

 

I’m back in America now. 

I will return to throwing nothing but toilet paper into the toilet. 

But now I know the protocol for Belize

And the next time I’ll be ready. 

 

I can do hard things. 

And you can too. 

 

This is our permission to break out of old habits and try something new, 

Even if we stumble and fall and

Throw toilet paper into the toilet in the process. 

 

Amen.