I’ve worked sporadically for almost two years improving my mother’s childhood home. Progress was slow but steady until a blue heeler named Harriet came along and distracted me. Working together in the woods became our routine last September. 

On June 22 heavy rain was forecast, so I went inside to refresh my memory on what was left undone. Two toilet paper holders called out from a mantle where they had been patiently waiting. Mounting them seemed like an easy job to kick off a restart. 

My first thought while unboxing one was that someone went overboard with instructions. It turned out that similar steps applied to other products such as towel bars. The only difference was the spacing of the mounts. Multiple templates with directions in four languages resulted in extensive paperwork. 

Using the short template seemed a waste of time, but I’ve ignored instructions before and come to regret it. So I cut the pattern out, leveled it as directed, then taped it to the wall.

The next step was to mark holes for the brackets. I lightly tapped a small nail to make indentations in the wood, took the taped paper off the wall, then secured each bracket with two screws. That’s when the trouble started.

It wasn’t a major obstacle, just the frustrating inconvenience of using the world’s smallest allen wrench to tighten set screws I couldn’t see. My body is not as flexible as it once was. And bifocals don’t work well when you’re upside down with your head wedged between a wall and a toilet bowl.

I had no idea I could turn my neck 180 degrees. That helped me complete the project but I had to drive home in reverse. My neck was sore for a week. It’s worth it, however, to have two toilet paper holders that look as if they were installed by an accomplished tradesman. They will likely be admired for decades to come. 

A closet in our home offers an example of what can happen when instructions are not followed. The original fluorescent light had lasted 21 years, so I figured the warranty was out. Jane bought a smaller, yet brighter, LED.

With only three color-coded wires, it glowed with do-it-yourself appeal. There wasn’t room for a ladder without moving clothes, so I grabbed a step stool. Thanks to my long arms I could reach the ceiling, but it was cumbersome looking up while taking the old light down and putting a new one in place.

That awkward position is why I didn’t use the template that was provided. With great confidence I eyeballed the alignment, put four screws in, then flipped the light switch on. The illumination is great, but it was disappointing when I realized how poorly centered the rectangular fixture is.

One end of the light is four inches closer to the wall than the other. My wife graciously said it’s okay, but several months later it still bothers me that a five-minute shortcut led to a subpar result. I’ve been down that road enough times to know better. 

A light fixture being off center isn’t critical, and those perfectly mounted toilet paper holders aren’t really deserving of major accolades. The contrasting results of those little undertakings, however, demonstrate the advantage of following good instructions. It’s even more important in life.

Fortunately we have The Good Book available which features a perfect example. It’s increasingly popular, however, to dismiss and even ridicule biblical values. They’ve lost favor in a secular society that’s rapidly traversing moral boundaries.

God’s word can be completely ignored, or it can be watered down so much it doesn’t affect decisions. Blending with what’s trending began eons ago. That’s why Noah built an ark on dry ground. People of that day didn’t see a need for spiritual guidance until the waters rose.      

An off-centered light doesn’t really matter, but an off-centered life is a different situation. God gave us a Light for aligning our lives. It’s our choice to walk toward it or away.                               

Using that template to mount a toilet paper holder seemed a waste of time, but I’ve ignored instructions before and come to regret it. Some mistakes have only nominal consequences of a temporary nature. It’s a lot more serious when regrets last forever.