COVID-19 Food (& Toilet Paper) for Thought - Little Mama of Faith

One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.

Romans 14:2-3 New International Version (NIV)

I believe the verse above says something about our current situation and how people are reacting when others are buying in bulk and therefore, stores are running out of food and merchandise.

I don’t think the empty store
shelves are simply about selfish hoarding. It also has a lot to do with the
fact that we realize our kids will be eating lunches at home rather than the
cafeteria, some parents will be working from and eating lunch at home rather
than getting takeout, and more people will be eating dinners at home rather
than grabbing fast food on their way to a practice, game or other activity.
It’s being practical and planning ahead for our families.

And as far as the toilet paper goes, I don’t think I ever
imagined the possibility of it running out. Don’t they just grab more from the
back? 😜 I guess that’s what happens when EVERYONE all of a sudden
learns they’ll be spending a lot more time at home.

Other mistaken assumptions we should avoid are . . .

• Everyone is able to get to a store whenever he/she pleases and has reliable, readily available transportation or the physical stamina to shop from store to store, if needed. – I know personally with my orthopedic issues, joint pain and stiffness, I greatly appreciate stores like Walmart where I can drain all my leg strength in one place.
• Anyone purchasing several cases of something should be smart enough to know that’s just TOO MUCH. – Some people are used to shopping in bulk and knowing how much “enough” will be, but for others this is a new experience, and they are perhaps unknowingly purchasing much more than necessary. Plus, at this point, none of us knows for sure how long we might possibly be told to stay home.
• They can and should wait another week to buy that many items. – Some may have the financial means to only shop at certain times and must get everything they need, in the quantities they might need, once that money is finally available.
• They couldn’t possibly need that many groceries! – We also don’t know how large the families are, if they’re perhaps buying for themselves and their elderly parents, or maybe even purchasing with the intention to donate to a shelter or an elderly neighbor.

Everything we feel and believe is at least somewhat influenced by our past and present experiences and circumstances. So I think we need to do less judging and cut each other some slack.

After all, we’re all figuring this whole COVID-19 thing out one day at a time, based on our own experiences and perspectives. We’re each experiencing this time of uncertainty and challenges in our own (perhaps very different) ways.

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:18 New International Version (NIV)