Grocery shopping in the era of COVID-19 requires a different approach. For me, that means a well thought out strategic plan! Nothing about the venture can be random. Days before, I choose the specific day based on the patterns of other people. I decide against weekends and Mondays since that’s when most people will be in the store. I contemplate the time of day to shop by balancing the store’s highest “sanitized” hours with the anticipated arrival of the new shipments. I decide which store to go to based on the likelihood of them having the product that I’m seeking at that time. And once in the store, I follow a specific route based on priority of needs and greatest ability to maintain a social distance. Nothing is random!
With the Lord’s favor and my perfectly executed plan, I have great success— eggs, meats, frozen fruit, almond milk, bacon, bananas, and Entenmann’s apple pies. Yep, I even snag the coveted paper towels and toilet tissue! And since we use so many paper towels in my house, I am quite pleased! It is the thrill of the hunt that satisfies me: the thought, the plan, the execution, the catch!
As I take inventory of my spoil, I decide to do the unusual. I had planned to drop off a few items to a friend, so I tossed in a couple of rolls of paper towels and a few rolls of tissue. I don’t know if they needed them, but this time it wasn’t really about what they needed. It was about me declaring to myself that I would not fear scarcity. That I would not hoard, but that I would even give the things that I might not be able to find later.
Since Jesus gave all that he had, the least I could do is share paper towels! Remember that woman who made the cake for Elijah. That was her last meal! My paper towels don’t compare! In this time of scarcity, what things could you share with someone else? (No, you don’t have to share your kids with us!!) It’s easier to give in times of plenty and certainty, but it is more rewarding to give in times of lack and uncertainty. Can you CashApp someone $20 even if you aren’t working? Can you drop off a box of cereal for a neighbor’s children even though your own children will need a box by next week? Can you give a restaurant gift card so that a mom doesn’t have to cook for the thousandth time? Elijah’s cake lady made a cake for him and she did not run out of flour or oil during the famine. Let’s push past the fear of scarcity and lack so that we can share what we have with someone else. Then believe that because you gave, you will never lack.
I Kings 17:14 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. (emphasis added)
Tara thank you! We have so much. A pastor on my team in Nepal wrote me this morning that he afraid he may die of hunger during this pandemic. I’m sure the children in his orphanage are hungry also. I find I am so selfish and self preserving in my big house, annoyed I don’t have the ingredient I need to make the casserole I want. Thank you for this reminder! This is exposing so many things about our culture and so many things about my heart!! You are a blessing!
Thanks Jodi for sharing this. I think that we all are getting a different perspective during this time. Praying that we all take a look at our on hearts and adjust.
Amen and amen!!! 💜💜💜
Other suggestions: (from this lovely spring time season here in NC) –>
1) Buy a whole flat of strawberries from that roadside stand while you’re out (even if you only need a quart); divide them (and all their vitamin mineral goodness!!) among friends, neighbors, and family… even the local street/disenfranchised-person.
2) Cut and share flowers from your yard … 🌿🌸🌿
Ask the Lord who needs either of the above to be reminded that they can “taste and see” (and smell!) “that the Lord is GOOD” (Psalm 34) … yes, even times of world-wise pandemic. 💜💜💜
Great ideas Fuller! Thanks for sharing! I like the idea of being intentional about getting more for the purpose of giving.
I love it, this is Awesome and once again GOD uses you for confirmation. I just posted a Giving Challenge this morning using the Cash App. Love it!💖💖💖
That’s awesome Susan! Great idea! We call all do something!
Glory to God! The truth of the matter is this can be a challenge for me if I am not seeking Holy Spirit for direction. If I am not mindful, the “what ifs” of life will drown out the Holy Sprit’s prompting to be a blessing and remember “you are blessed” and God is the source (James 1:17). I thank God for JESUS that He loves us so much to keep us from going to the left or to right.
I agree Keisha. The “what ifs” can plague us all so we have to keep listening and push past them!
Everyone is frantically looking for their stimulus check whether in need of it or not. Do I understand need? Oh yes from childhood on, but what if we took 10 percent of that and bless someone else or buy them food or give to an organization that is fiscally, culturally and socially responsive. The Bible speaks truth about giving. Giving sacrificially is of great value to the soul.
Thanks Tharesa. It is something for us to think about. Thanks for challenging us to set our “giving” goals and to also be thoughtful about where we give.
Amen! Thank you so much for this reminder! When my flesh wants to think ahead and consider all of the ”what ifs”, the Spirit gently reminds me of God’s covenant promise to me as His daughter! …I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. Psalm 37:25. Thank you for being the Lord’s mouthpiece at such a time as this!
Amen LaVett!! Thanks for reminding us of our covenant promise!
This word is so true and timely. The last time I went to the grocery store, I thought about how we’ve taken living in the land of plenty for granted. It can make us wasteful, selfish, so forth and so on.. But giving, when there isn’t enough is a Godly mindset. It’s knowing our faith is not in things seen, but unseen! Thanks for reminding us.
Amen Jynel! Let’s hope that we all adjust our attitudes about our abundance and our giving.
This is a delightful post with a serious challenge tucked in from the Father’s Heart. Thank you for reminding us about what #InThisTogether really means!
Thanks Tracey. I love #InThisTogether – it does remind us that we are one body!
Great read Tara. During this time I think of the small businesses like my stylist who has no income coming in because she cannot work and I send her little tokens just because. Even though her kids are of age to work, they are not able to work either because their jobs are not essential. We that have jobs that we can still receive a paycheck from are so blessed.
Great read Tara. During this time I think of the small businesses like my stylist who has no income coming in because she cannot work and I send her little tokens just because. Even though her kids are of age to work, they are not able to work either because their jobs are not essential. We that have jobs that we can still receive a paycheck from are so blessed.