“
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 NIV¹
Here I am, 12:30am, just starting this post. I have been thinking for a solid two weeks straight (in between running around with my “essential” job) about what to write during this rough patch we’re globally going through. I have to be honest, I’m totally winging it because I got nothing… and also everything. You will notice this week that I haven’t included a recipe and that is intentional. This post is not intended to admonish anyone, but these thoughts and feelings have been weighing heavily on my heart and I feel like I may not be alone in that. That said, I urge you to read on anyway.
I didn’t want to do another coronavirus post as everyone under the sun is doing right now, but I feel like I need to address the behavior of our society during this pandemic. I personally have always held out hope that people are genuinely good deep down and that we would help our fellow man in times of crisis. Humanity would band together and we would pull each other up out of the depths and protect one another. However, I have been sadly disappointed since the pandemic has hit American soil. It’s almost like people have lost all common sense and reason. They are out of their minds, hoarding as though this is an apocalyptic event. Greed and selfishness has been prevailing.
Why are they in a frenzy though? Because the mainstream (and biased) media has continued to exaggerate our situation, making it sound as though everything is hopeless and civilization is collapsing around us. It amazes me that no one can see through their agenda and actually research the facts of what is happening globally. The mainstream media’s main objective is to make money. Not just from the consumer, but they are also paid by covert individuals who want to also push forth their own propaganda. For examples, see CNN or Fox News. Both are pushing their own narratives and neither has society’s best interest at heart. News is no longer about presenting the facts but rather controlling the populus. Please, please, please I beg you to do your own research from UNBIASED news sources and use alternative search engines like DuckDuckGo, which don’t filter results based on an algorithm to show you only what they want you to see like Google does.
Guys – you don’t need to hoard toilet paper. There wouldn’t be a shortage if you just bought what you need and then everyone could have a clean bum. I went to the stores in my area and I was astonished at how barren the cases and shelves are. Take a look at this:
Ridiculous, right? No one needs to buy that much. You can’t even consume that much food before it would go bad. I even saw online that people are buying things in bulk only to turn around and sell it for an exorbitant amount of money. Despicable. So I say all of this to give you guys some advice on what to do when the stores are empty and you need food.
My store had limits on a lot of staples. Meat was limited to only 5 packages per person. So what did I do? I bought five of the largest packages of meat I could get, skipping over the better and smaller cuts. I got a 12 lb pork shoulder and guess what? I made some pulled pork and can now freeze a lot of it into portions to pull out later. Think long term, friends. Don’t think about what will taste good right now – think about what will sustain you and your family the longest with supplies in demand.
Our frozen vegetable section and canned sections were also decimated. Now while I applaud the people who thought enough to buy non-perishables, it is just greedy to buy out the whole store. There are elderly and people who can barely fend for themselves and these locusts just swooped in and took everything. They should really be ashamed. I’ll step back off my soap box to get back to the point. If you can’t find frozen or canned vegetables, I’ve found most places have fresh vegetables fully in stock with no shortage in sight. You can do a quick online search to learn how to blanch and freeze vegetables and how to store them long term from fresh – whether it be to freeze everything or take up canning.
I wish that I could assist you in the bread situation, but the same people who bought all the bread have also bought all the yeast – EVEN ON THE WHOLE INTERNET. I swear… I spent weeks looking for it everywhere and it is just gone. The best suggestion I have is to seek out bread recipes like this bagel one over at SkinnyTaste that don’t require yeast.
The only other thing I really want to emphasize is…
BUY ONLY WHAT YOU NEED.
The only reason there is a shortage of supplies right now is because people are panicking and hoarding and buying way more than they need. When you go to buy supplies for yourself and your family, think about those elderly and others out there who have a hard time and also need those supplies. I promise you do not need 14 cases of toilet paper and all of the salt in the store. Remember there are others out there less fortunate than you and you need to look out for your fellow man. We’re in this together and we need to support each other.
I’ll end this with some great advice that we should all take to heart during this time of hardship:
Hebrews 13:16
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
John 15:12
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Romans 12:13
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Proverbs 3:27
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Luke 3:10-11
“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
James 2:14-17
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Deuteronomy 15:11
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
1 The Bible. New International Version.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of All Unrivaled. Any content provided by our contributors/bloggers/authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.