Toilet Paper and Chicken Wings

This morning, like every morning, social media wants to know what is on my mind...I decided I am going to tell my social media EXACTLY what is on my mind today -

Toilet paper and chicken wings. Yes, you read that right – because that is what is on my mind.

Over the last week I have seen SEVERAL people share a new version of "tattle on your neighbor" happening on social media posts in groups. The groups I have seen that were targeted have been homeschool groups, homesteading groups, and canning groups. There may be others.

Interesting array of groups if you ask me....

The messages being shared say something to the effect of, "Are you concerned that someone you know is becoming too prepared? We care about preventing extremism on (the social media website)...." Then it goes on to explain how others have been helped by reporting their friends and loved ones. And YOU, TOO can be helped as well. Just follow their instructions.

I just want to know why they have not asked ME - because YES, I AM concerned about a lot of people who, over the last 18 months, have become WAY TOO PREPARED. I mean WAAAAAAAAAAAY, too prepared. For WHAT? Honestly, I am not sure for what....it was CLAIMED it was for "lockdown." But WHO in their right mind needs 50 bulk packages of toilet paper from Costco?  And where did all the chicken wings disappear to over the last 18 months? Because SOMEONE is hoarding them like crazy, and I think social media needs to investigate.

Then there was a 30-something individual we saw locally last year, who had TWO CARTS filled to over-flowing at the Dollar General one day. It was filled with Pop Tarts, CapN Crunch, Corn Pops, EVERY Flavor of Cheerios, mac n' cheese, canned corn beef hash, and every other kind of prepared or frozen food you could imagine. And each cart was easily piled 2 feet above the top rim. I think THEY are someone FB needs to check into – because they were WAY TOO PREPARED for what appeared to be a Super Bowl sleepover party, in the off-season.

How about the people who bought cases and cases of isopropyl alcohol? Peroxide? They were WAY to prepared for something, too. But again, what?

The list could go on and on, but seriously, who do they think they are to decide WHO is too prepared – and for what? I have spoken before about the countless reasons why people are preparing their gardens, pantries and what ever else they need to prepare. I have shared repeatedly how I have had to LIVE on what I had stored – for anywhere from a few months to as long as two years. If I didn’t have the sense to prepare and store those things in advance, how would I have fed my children? MY PETS? My family? How would I have been able to help OTHER families in need?

Just this past winter with us stuck at home for up to 7 weeks we learned more lessons as we discovered there were still holes in our “plan.” We did not have powdered or frozen milk to use in our food preparations! Praise God for our dear neighbor who picked up our grocery orders for us so that we could fill in those holes! I made sure to order a little extra milk each week as well as some powdered milk online, too. Should it happen again that we are iced in, we will be prepared.

Somehow social media moguls are convinced that we are evil demons because we want to ensure we can take care of ourselves in times of need – as is happening now in Louisiana with the recent hurricane Ida situation. How many people there will have the charcoal or gas to cook on their grill, or food to eat until their power is able to be brought back? How many will have food they can share with others in this time of need?

In our times of need, we considered doing exactly what social media and others are trying to force on people now – rely solely on the government. However, their plan is not infallible. During the times when I needed to rely on food storage and such for my family too much income was coming into the home, or we owned too many “assets” to qualify for aid. I bet they never thought of that, did they? Not everyone qualifies for their socialist agenda. There are criteria needing to be met or you are denied, putting you and your family right back in the same situation.

Being a “prepper,” to me, means nothing more than being ready for whatever happens. Weather, financial, or any other issue which may arise. It is a way of life which is lived to help preserve life. Speak up – and speak out against these claims against your desire to protect and preserve yourself and family. 

We also have several excellent examples to hold up before us as we get our pantries in order. Noah - who put up food on the ark to preserve his family after the flood began. Joseph - who taught the people about the differences of feast and famine. Even the Exodus was a prepper situation - they left with provisions, their dough starter, and wealth of Egypt as they entered the desert. 

Yahweh will help us through tough situations, but having extras on hand for needs that arise is sensible and comforting. Do not let social media pressure you into thinking otherwise. And if someone you know pushes you for preparing some things for your family, why not ask them how many rolls of toilet paper did THEY buy last year!

Blessings and shalom.