You’ve been there just as I have. You’ve just gone to the restroom, you’ve washed your hands and you’ve found out . . .

There are no Paper Towels in the dispenser.

And we’ve all tried the alternatives. Do they ever get the job done right?.

Nothing does it better.

Alternative #1: Tissues. A few restrooms have them but in the end you are left with a soggy tissue clump in your hand that you need to re-wash! Bad move.

Alternative #2: Back to the stall for Toilet Paper. This option is typically available although you may have just emptied the roll in which case you’re out of luck. But again, they aren’t strong enough and to me it’s kind of gross.

Alternative #3: The dreaded blower. I hate these things. Even the Dyson super charged “air-scissor” ones don’t get it done. I find I need at least three or four run-troughs to get fully dried hands and I’m usually in a rush to get OUT of a bathroom rather than stay for the ambience.

Alternative #4: Your clothes. This move can and will leave wet spots in the most awkward of places. Need I say more?

Alternative #5: Air dry. This move will always lead to the first post-restroom handshake and your sense of obligation to explain that you had just washed your hands to the person now gripping your slightly moist palm. Does that conversation ever take a good turn from that starting point? I don’t think so.

What am I trying to say?
There’s not substitute to having paper towels in your paper towel dispenser.

Some things are just made to do the job far better than others.

In the church I think we need to be honest enough to say the same in regards to the gifts of God’s people.

We need to be honest to the person who sings a half-step flat that he/she should use their voice wherever there is NO amplifying device.

We need to be honest with the children’s worker with a short fuse; leading them to the cleaning team or the set-up team – let them yell at inanimate objects instead of who Jesus calls the “greatest of these.”

We need to be honest with the greeter who plays favorites. If you ignore first-time guests consistently because you’re continuing your “Sunday conversation” with Sunday “friends” at church – you may be a pretty good small group leader – but I would also suggest you read the Gospels. Jesus was always reaching out to the furthest ones from God, the newest ones in the group and those who have not yet heard.

We need to be honest with the sound man who volunteered because no one else qualified stepped up. We need to tell him he’s tone def and ill-equipped to handle such a roll in the church. And the worst part is – the rest of the church is paying for it!

In summary – Make sure you’ve got Paper-towels in the towel dispenser. Nothing else does the job quite the same.

I believe each Christ-follower is uniquely gifted to do something in the kingdom that God created them for (Eph. 2:10). I don’t believe there are any mistakes in God’s order. I do believe we tend to be too nice because we have equated nice-ness with Christ-likeness. But if Christ was only nice, how did He get crucified?

I say “speak the truth in love” and “Each one should use whatever gift he has received.” ASK: What gift have you “RECEIVED?” Don’t ask what gift you “WANT.” What gift have you GOT? Have others confirmed it? And by others I mean HONEST non-relatated people you may not know personally?

Most of all remember – you’re time here is brief. About as brief as a Paper Towel in light of human history. So don’t waste your life doing something you were never created for. Live in the sweet spot.

May we all be able to say with Paul: For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8