Paper Plates
March 3rd, 2010 by Ashley
I don’t buy paper plates.
I’ll just be honest. I think they’re a complete waste of money. I think it’s so silly to pay for something that is made to go in the trash.
Does this view extend to every single disposable product in my life? No.
But for some reason paper plates have come to symbolize the ultimate waste for me. And if I start thinking very hard about all of the trash piling up in landfills and threatening to overrun our lives, then of course my feelings only get stronger.
However, as I cleaned the kitchen this afternoon, and noticed the limited amount of time we have to finish chores, take showers, eat dinner and be ready to leave for church tonight on time, the thought passed through my mind “wouldn’t it be nice to just use paper plates so the kitchen could stay clean?”.
Instantly my rule abiding self took over. Of course it would be easier, but that doesn’t make it okay. Using paper plates is just never okay.
I have a point, I promise.
Some verses I just read yesterday came to mind:
And He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had a withered hand. And they watched Him to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse Him. And He said unto the man who had the withered hand, “Stand forth.” And He said unto them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill?” But they held their peace. And when He had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said unto the man, “Stretch forth thine hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored whole as the other.
Mark 3:1-5
My thought was this: how often do I let my rules get in the way of what I should do?
My rules are all good. Very well thought out and purposeful.
But if I let them dictate everything, is that okay?
I don’t think it is.
Maybe paper plates are a waste of money. And bad for the environment. And not very glamorous to eat off of.
But, if using paper plates one night a week when things are hectic would mean less rush, less mess, and me being less grumpy to three innocent little girls…wouldn’t it be worth it?
I can think of a million other things in my life where this applies.
The problem is I tend to have an all or nothing personality. Either do it all the way or forget it. This results in a LOT of “rules”.
And maybe most of the time my rules are okay, and even good to follow. But there needs to be grace. The rules cannot overrule what’s most important.
We read this today for school:
And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” And Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength;’ this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this: `Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:28-31
All I can think is, am I checking all of my rules against the greatest rule of all?
Posted in Inspiration, Philosophizing
paper plates can be a lifesaver…now that i have a dish washer i am on a no paper plate kick…but before…that was another story. There was just simply no time to wash dishes if i wanted to do homework, housework, and spend quality time with my precious kiddos! I think you should buy some and use them on busy crazy nights! I promise you will feel soooo much better and the clean up is so easy!
Comment by Jennifer — March 3, 2010 @ 4:43 pm
If you use the cheap paper and not styrofoam plates, use can throw them in a compost and reuse them
Comment by jennee — March 4, 2010 @ 1:56 pm
i think i got it here, it’s not really about the paper plate….but I will say this:
And I am happy for paper plates.
I used to despise paper plates unless it was a bbq or picnic, never to just eat normal meals off of! My life is too insane and now the kids eat off of paper plates for lunch (every day) and sometimes even breakfast. And I still have a sink full of dishes to wash, even though I already spent 45 minutes at the sink! Things change with kids, don’t they?
Comment by Tara — March 4, 2010 @ 11:05 pm
Do it Ash! If you buy a pack, and only use them on Wed., that pack will last you several months. Small price to pay for less stress.
Comment by Mom — March 5, 2010 @ 12:21 am
Glad you got it Tara….guess I needed to elaborate a bit more
Comment by Ashley — March 5, 2010 @ 7:19 am
I think everyone got it…We’re all just agreeing with you that sometimes God tells us to just “Use the paper plates on Wednesdays.” God tells me to “Stop by Wendy’s on Wednesdays.” all the time. We just have to diligently seek that still, small voice saying “My will, not yours be done, ok?” on things of this nature.
Comment by Nik — March 5, 2010 @ 3:24 pm