I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from them. Hosea 14:4

The Saga of the Toilet-Rolls!!

By Helen Jesze, 9^th February 2024

This week I was reminded of the true story of a Christian lady in Sweden. I forget her name, so let’s call her Ingrid. Some days before, Ingrid had seen a removals-van draw up, and furniture being carried into a house, a few doors down; she wondered who had just moved in. Often when there were new neighbours, she took them a small gift, perhaps a bunch of flowers or a homemade cake, a pretty card with good wishes, to welcome them to the area.

When she was praying one morning, the thought came strongly to her, “Take your new neighbour some toilet-rolls”! She dismissed this, thinking it ludicrous, but this kept coming back to her. In the supermarket, the urging became stronger as she passed the stand with the toilet-rolls! In the end, she bought some and went home. After she had put her shopping away, armed with her unusual gift, Ingrid went and rang the doorbell of the new neighbour.

A lady opened the door and Ingrid said: “Good morning, I’m Ingrid from number so- and-so, and I’ve brought you a little welcome gift – some toilet-paper!” As she handed the rolls over, the lady’s eyes filled with tears. Ingrid felt worse than ever! “Yes, I know it’s not what you usually give somebody…” “No, you don’t understand. Please come in and I’ll explain.”

Ingrid was taken into the living-room, and the lady asked, “Please tell me why you are giving me these?” “Well, I’m a born-again Christian, and as I was praying this morning, the Lord spoke to me to bring you some toilet-rolls!” The lady cried even harder, then inviting Ingrid to sit down with a cup of coffee, she told her story.

“I used to be a Christian too, Ingrid, but I stopped following the Lord many years ago. Now we have moved to this new city, I don’t know anyone. My husband goes out early in the morning and comes home late at night, and I’ve been feeling so lonely! This morning I prayed after a long time, and said, ‘Lord, if you are still interested in me, show me that today in an unmistakable way.’” She went on, “I went shopping but didn’t have enough money to buy some toilet-paper, and now here you are bringing me some! Could this be God’s answer, that he is still interested in me, that he’ll forgive me?”

“Of course, God will forgive you! He’s never lost interest in you and has been seeking to bring you back, even though you were far from him. Would you like to come back to Jesus today?” Ingrid asked. “Oh yes, please!” the neighbour replied and they knelt down by the couch and prayed together. God had done it again! I’m sure the angels had a party at this homecoming! Now the neighbour had a new friend, another Christian to help her and who would introduce her to others and a good church.

Often we ask God to use us and to bless others through us, but we are often discouraged thinking we do not have the gifts or talents which God can use. But let’s examine this closer. What ‘gifts’ or ‘talents’ did Ingrid use here? I don’t think there were any. However, the story shows she had a loving heart which wanted to reach out and bless people. Also, she had obviously learnt how to pray and to hear the voice of God. Although not at first, later she was obedient and did what the Lord told her, even though, at first sight, it could have made her look foolish.

So, be encouraged today, that God can use multiple ways to make us a channel of blessing, even with toilet-rolls! Let’s ask him to help us to start thinking ‘out-of-the box’. There may be an exciting new assignment waiting just around the corner for you!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that your love follows each of us, even when we go away from you for years. Truly, you are “…married to the backslider” and will “… heal our backslidings…”. And it could be that some of my friends here have not been following you closely for a while, or have allowed things into their life and heart which are taking them away. Draw them close to you today, forgive every sin and give them a new start, set them free from any bondages, and restore unto them the joy of your salvation! We ask this in the Name of Jesus, Amen.