Having the Grocery Store Blues

I rarely find that our blog is one to be a place for me to complain. Instead only to help, heal and give inspiration and motivation. However, on my most recent trips to the grocery store and gas station, it truly leaves me a little blue.

I walk down each aisle and wonder how did pricing change so quickly and in vast amounts? How did we become a society where it is now an everyday occurrence that the shelves are found empty and out of stock? We do live in America…the greatest country in the world we say.

I have come home a time or two from the store without something on my list simply because I don’t have the heart to pay the price of an item…I am simply just too thrifty. Yet, I struggle knowing that on the other end of that item is another person just like myself trying to provide for themselves and their family, and my choices affect their livelihood that they can’t always control.

Yet, as maddening as I find my current situation and the strain it puts on my heart and purse strings to spend the extra money, I know that we are blessed. We are not living in a war-torn country or one without common amenities like clean water that we so take for granted. And even though I didn’t splurge on the baby back ribs or corned beef brisket this time, we will still be satisfied with the discount chicken and homemade sausage we already have for a start.

In James 1:2-4, we read, “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you, now that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Although it seems when we go through times like these, it really tests our faith. However, maybe it is just God calling, telling us to pull up our bootstraps and get involved. Maybe it is our time to consider getting involved in things we wouldn’t normally do to ensure we can find a balance in our economy. However, it is mostly a reminder that through our faith, we will lack nothing.

Blessings to each of you, and may you be reminded that we don’t lack anything!

Contributed by Jessica Clemens