Store Shelves Are Full

Now for those of you who do not know, in addition to writing here, I also work at Stewart’s Food Store. Also, before I moved up here, I worked in retail for many years in one form or another. As such, I think that I know a little bit about this subject.

I have not even been up here in North Texas for a decade, but I have loved it the entire time. However, that is not what I want to talk about. Since I have been up here, I have experienced pipes bursting causing water to be cut off to all of Olney, at least three times. Coincidentally, the day before, there was usually rain. This ensured that the grass would be safe from fires and that it would be soft when digging to get to the pipe. It is almost as if The Good Lord is protecting our little community.

But whenever a pipe bursts, a lot of people panic buy water. The same thing applies to snowstorms, tornadoes, and even heavy thunderstorms. Now while this does help me, it is not a long-term strategy if you are buying these. Consider the toilet paper rush in 2020. There was plenty of it then, but the media created fear. Put a pin in that because I will be coming back to that in a moment.

It would be much better to buy food, water, batteries, and other supplies in advance so that when disaster strikes, you can be ready. We get a grocery order twice a week. Now that is more than enough for our community and even people who come down from Oklahoma to buy our cuts of meat.

It is my humble opinion that these tariffs will not create any shortages in products that you and I buy every day. Even so, all China has to do is lower its tariffs and allow for free trade. As the Tuttle Twins teaches us, “Free trade gets stuff made.”

Until then, we will have to make do with American products that support American jobs. However, something tells me that these CEOs just want people to panic buy, which will do wonders for their bottom lines.

In truth, if the international deals that President Trump envisions come to pass, not only will manufacturing return to America, but more worldwide markets will open to our goods. Even the United Auto Workers (UAW) that is not a supporter of President Trump, admitted that this will undoubtedly result in more American jobs.

Ironically, the same people who use the slogan “Tax the Rich”, seem unusually trusting of what these CEOs are saying at this moment.

What I want to leave you with is to not panic buy and to prepare in advance for problems before they happen. Growing up, my mom always told me W.I.S.H. or “What If Something Happens?” to encourage us to be prepared.

Also, consider what Jesus told us about the sparrows and how not one of them falls to the ground without The Father’s knowledge, yet we are worth more than many sparrows.

Despite this, God provides for them. God will provide for us, but we have to remain faithful to The Almighty and not to governments or the world. It is not easy, but trusting in God is the best way to live your life.

Remember that Peter could walk on the water when he focused on Jesus, but only began to sink once he took his eyes off of Jesus.

Trust in God and everything else will fall into place.