What a privileged thing, the toilet. For many, it's a trough dug into the ground. It's not always a private place, and it can be source of anxiety for some. From a young child who has issues learning to use the toilet, all the way to my 90 year-old grandmother who will never again experience the privilege of using the toilet without help—we tend not to discuss the blessing of being able to go to the bathroom with ease and privacy.

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Years ago, I remember my dad sharing a story from a woman at church who had such a depth of kindness and genuine warmth that for any suffering to befall her seemed wildly unjust. As it turned out, she was diagnosed with an aggressive illness that kept her from being able to participate in the everyday biological functions of life—one of which was going to the bathroom. My dad said that ever since knowing her suffering, he thanks God for his ability to poop. It might seem silly, but isn't it true that we often take for granted the gift of a body that works? Particularly its ability to flush out waste? And what might that biological function teach us about our own psychology? Aren't there times when we recognize that holding onto a toxin for too long—becoming emotionally constipated, if you will—might be detrimental to our health?

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The next time we use the toilet, may we remember the great privilege we're experiencing if we're one of the lucky ones who can do so alone, without help, behind a closed door. And maybe during that time we can also consider what else in our life might require flushing away.