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| LOC: Kitchen table in a Tenement Museum, New York. |
Bits of news have been brought to my attention. I am being told that times may get worse financially. Many are suggesting that I need to stock up on food and necessary groceries. "There may be shortages," they say. Honestly, I would like nothing more than to stock up and be prepared for such emergencies, but I do not have any money to spare. For the last few weeks this has almost had me in a panic. I have visions of the pandemic and remembering what it was like to see empty shelves on a regular basis. I dearly want to stock up. I want to do this as a normal part of life, not just out of fear. But the problem comes when there is not any cash available.
This has been an extra difficult month for us financially. We've had a car repair bill as well as a couple of medical trips. This leaves little money available for food. We have been making the best of things by getting only the most basic items. The price of eggs has soared. I bought less than usual. I also avoided buying things I really wanted. Yet, I know I am not the only one in such circumstances.
Regardless of our financial difficulties, we have to find ways to keep up morale. We need to cheer up the family and remain calm. I have been thinking about the immigrants who bravely came to a new world searching for a better life for their families. Many lived in tenement housing and had little resources. The times in which they lived, the poverty they faced each day, were much worse than what many are going through today.
Each day we need to do the housework. We have food to cook and bake, regardless of the scant supply. We have dishes to wash, laundry to do, floors to sweep, and families to nurture. We can do this with courage and good will. We pray for our daily bread and lean on the Lord through good times and bad.
The next time we are advised to spend money to stock up for the coming crisis, let us not panic for lack of funds. Don't let fear drag us to despair. I realize that just a few hundred dollars would make a great difference in stocking the kitchen shelves and bring a sense of security, but one can only do what is financially possible. We can work on keeping expenses low. Then we can focus on securing the daily food. There should be a sense of order, rest, peace, and common sense.
One of the greatest needs of the family has always been to simply put food on the table. This is the very basic and foundational aspect of home life. There is comfort in enjoying the dinner hour. It is a blessing to have food on the breakfast table. A wonderful lunch is such a gift. Regardless of our resources, we can make home a pleasant and cheerful place to be. Remember the old ways. Serve humble meals with love and gratefulness. Do not worry! There may not be a lot of food available, but a kind heart and pleasant outlook will bring a beautiful sense of contentment.
We will get through this. Better days are coming soon.
Blessings
Mrs. White
From the Archives:
What many of us crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.
Remembering my Childhood - When Television was Special.
Encouragement - How the Old Time Mothers Survived Poverty.
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12 comments:
Fear not, Mrs. White. The Lord always takes care of His own. He promises that those who believe in Him will neither hunger nor thirst. I also think the media hypes things up quite a bit. Yes, I do think tough times are ahead, but good homemakers know how to stretch the dollar, make soups and casseroles and simple meals. Sure wish I lived closer to you as I would gladly share the bounty of produce from my garden! Is it possible to barter with others for the food items you might need? I have noticed that farmer's markets around here have raised their prices to ridiculous amounts. I am glad I don't have to buy everything, that's for sure. It's no secret that our nation is in big trouble, but we will get through this. I think of my parents who lived through the Depression Era. Many of the recipes from that era are good to follow. I don't see grocery prices coming down any time soon. Thankfully I am able to do a lot of canning and freezing and I am blessed with a good garden. Hoping that things will be OK for you and your family.
We all just do the best we can with what we have. Fortunately, there's plenty of food pantries and charities for those in true dire need. And as my minister used to tell me, " just add more water to the soup"! The old standbys of beans and rice are still relatively inexpensive.
The Lord has promised good to all who believe in Him. Please, dear Mrs. White, keep the faith and inspire others, as you have been doing through your blog, that our heavenly Father knows our needs before we ask when we trust in Him. May your example reap great rewards for God's kingdom.
The press love to frighten everyone with scare stories and there seems to have been a constant stream of them for the last few years, since just before Covid struck. We got used to making substitutions then - can't get pasta/pasta too expensive - use rice or potatoes instead, along with making things stretch. Most of that didn't depend on spending more money, just being creative and there is nothing as creative as a determined woman!
In Britain we are finding that our Food Banks are almost overwhelmed by demand. It is a sad situation. We 'older' people who were brought up to be frugal and who know how to stretch a menu, are fortunate indeed. I dont think many people here can afford to do enormous stocking- up shops. The world is a sad place, and we can only cling on to our faith.
I am curious as to where you heard that there would be a shortage. I do see prices continually going up, but haven't noticed shortages so far. I wish I lived closer - we have 15 hens and I would bring you a dozen eggs. I questioned the wisdom of buying hens and building a coop last year, as it wasn't inexpensive, but now that the infrastructure is in the cost has gone down, and we are able to sell them to neighbors for below market price.
I truly believe we are in for much harder times. And I understand that grocery store stockups and just taking advantage of sales by quantity is not to be had by anyone who hasn't the extra money. I've heard stories of my parents about growing up during the depression. My grandma made a dress for my mom out of their curtains. It was a treat if their Christmas present could be candy. Many families were large and people these days don't realize what it's like to multiply every need by eleven people (like my grandma did). When I was young, I remember looking in my mom's pantry and seeing one can of potatoes (and who even eats canned potatoes?!) If it wasn't for a generous grandmother, my parents wouldn't have had food most of the time. Luckily coal heat was very cheap and we kept very warm. When newly married, my husband and I had a very tight budget. That's how I know that we had no money to stock up, or even buy canned goods on sale if you had to buy a certain quantity to get the sale price. When things get bad, we will have to rely on helping out our neighbors and each other. andrea
DIOS PROVEERA SEÑORA WHITE. AQUI EN BUENOS AIRES,ARGENTINA DONDE VIVO, LOS ALIMENTOS AUMENTAN CADA SEMANA,HAN AUMENTADO LOS SEVICIOS COMO LA LUZ,EL GAS,LOS IMPUESTOS ESTAN POR LAS NUBES,PASAJE DE OMNIBUS Y DEL TREN, LOS SUELDOS SON MUY BAJOS,ESTAMOS EN UNA RESECION MUY IMPORTANTE,EL DINERO QUE TENEMOS SOLO ALCANZA PARA COMER Y PAGAR LOS SERVICIOS QUE USAMOS,SOMOS 6 VIVIENDO BAJO EL MISMO TECHO,HAY MUCHA ROPA QUE LAVAR,COSER,TEJER, ECT. MUCHO GASTO SE TEJER Y ARREGLO LA ROPA USADA, DANDOLE MAS USO, PASANDOLA DE UN HIJO A OTRO,MI ESPOSO Y YO SOMOS JUBILADOS,YA PASAMOS LOS 60 LARGOS AÑOS, ¿QUE PODEMOS HACER? ORAR Y ESPERAR EN EL SEÑOR,UN HIJO DE DIOS NUNCA SE RINDE CUALQUIERA SEA EL FUTURO INCIERTO QUE NOS ACECHE. BENDICIONES¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
For a number or weeks we would go to the grocery store and see bare places on the shelves and it started to make me very worried. Than I realized that 300 new people are moving to our county every single month. I don't know why as we are just the average town. But we do not have any new grocery stores to feed all those people so the stores can't keep up with stock. It is very concerning when I consider another shut down or even bad weather situation. But the biggest thing I know is that God knows our needs and cares for us and he will supply.
I live in a rural county. We are very blessed to be able to drive to a more distant town with more choices of grocery stores to buy food but today I was in one of our two local grocery stores. $7.50 for a single package of brussels sprouts. $5 and $6 for a bag of onions. 30 count eggs were $16.71. When I commented on this later to my husband, he reminded me that a lot of our county is indigent and on SNAP benefits...and thus the store can charge these sorts of prices because few are paying cash for the food. I know from personal acquaintances that SNAP benefits for a family of five just now are about $1200 a month or more...I cannot even imagine having that much money a month to buy groceries, but then again, I can understand why they need it if they are stuck in rural areas without adequate transportation so they have no choice but to pay those prices. Other stores in our area include Dollar General which does carry some frozen meats, dairy, canned foods and fresh produce but quantities are limited.
Is there a shortage of food coming? Eggs are high just now because of massive recalls. A lot of foods are being recalled due to unclean facilities. It's been more than shocking to read weekly of the recall of millions of pounds of foods. There have been weather conditions that prevented planting or affected growth. Beef prices are through the roof in our area. Much happens that affects prices and what affects one area might not affect another. Where you live dictates prices, shortages, etc.
I have seen some empty shelves in several stores recently, as well as a lack of the more usual sales. My grocery list these days are shorter than ever because few foods are within my budget and sales are simply not happening. Costs are crazy on many items.
I am experienced at cooking and can make some really good frugal meals. I am well able to substitute and stretch but one must eventually replace staples like flour and rice and beans, so I do understand Mrs. White's concerns. It's not a lack of knowledge or lack of trust. One simply must wonder at times how we shall manage when other things also arise that take money we might have put towards food.
That is where we must pray and ask for guidance and provision. We must share what we each are experiencing or seeing and let others know so they too can be aware. And teach others what the more experienced among us might not know about making do and stretching and foraging, etc.
And we can pray for one another...
Psalm 37:25 says "I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread."
We trust in Him and His eternal Word, and we do not focus or cling to the wicked and unrighteous order of things. He takes care of the birds of the air and we are much more valuable than these. We abide in Him. And we must encourage one another daily, the body of Christ needs one another. Thank you for posting here where I may get encouragement.
I have been shocked about the egg situation for months! I had switched to powdered milk last year because it is so much easier, but I’ve now incorporated an egg substitute from Bob’s Red Mill. I’ve made cornbread with it and no one noticed at all! Just another way to stretch my food budget:).
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