Good morning and happy Saturday. I hope that you are doing well and are healthy. As we read in God’s Word:
2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well (3 John 2).
These certainly are interesting times in which we live. So much has changed in a very short period of time. It is a reminder of the uncertainty of life. By now, I am certain you have heard of the many precautions: wash your hands, practice social distancing, sanitize surfaces, etc. Please do your best to follow the recommendations and stay healthy.
One thing that is has happened this week has been the panic shopping taking place at the stores. People are emptying the shelves similar to what you would expect with an impending hurricane or when they predict a snow-mageddon event in KC (which seems to be three times per winter). It is understandable that people would want to be prepared in case they need to be quarantined for 14 days. Who knows, that could become a reality for a lot of people. However, there are people that are hoarding enough supplies to last months. If you have gone to any stores lately, it is crazy. Sections of the stores are empty. Shelves are bare. The pictures from TV show people with carts laden down lack pack mules. One item that has become a valuable commodity is toilet paper. Yep, something you don’t think about much unless there isn’t any. When they re-stock the shelves after a shipment comes in, pandemonium breaks out. People grab as many rolls as they can get their hands on. Stores are now limiting how many you can buy. Isn’t that what we used to read about the Soviet Union? One place we went now keeps those precious rolls behind the counter because two women almost got into a fistfight over that two-ply sense of normalcy. Now, don’t get me wrong. I personally like to have toilet paper around when it is needed. Most of the time I am not a fan of the single ply. In Romania, some of their TP was made with recycled sand paper mixed with wood mulch. Nevertheless, if that is all that was available then it was better than the alternative. Although, whenever I roomed with Jim Stockwood, he brought rolls of Charmin from the States so that was kind of nice. Yes, I know, we were lousy missionaries. Anyway, it is a rather bizarre time in our lives when the so-called dignified folks in sophisticated Johnson County are ready to fight over toilet paper. Instead of being embarrassed like you had a bad batch of chili, people seem to be proud of themselves as they wheel their carts filled with TP to the cash register. For many, there is no concern for other people that might have to improvise (let your own imagine fill in that blank). In situations like this, you will often see the worst of humanity or the best. Obviously, hoarding toilet paper is not the most grievous thing you will hear about. No, that will be the charlatans selling false products to sanitize, fake medicine, and price gouging. Nevertheless, let’s not forget what we learned in kindergarten. Let’s share with one another, make sure everyone gets a share, and take a nap when you get tired.
In the New Testament, we read this description about a man named Cornelius:
2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly (Acts 10:2)
That is a good reminder in the times in which we live.
Hope to see you Sunday!
Larry
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