Another “Color Purple”

See the nice National Weather Service Map.

See the nice purple color covering a large section in the middle of the nice map.  The purple crayon is the pretty one the nice people at the National Weather Service use for Ice Storm Warning. 

However, many Midwestern-ers don’t consider that very nice.  At all.

In fact, by last night, with roads still clear, many schools cancelled classes for today in anticipation of the pending storm—(of that you won’t hear me complaining, but that’s beside the point.)  Also in preparation of potential power outages, frozen pipes, and downright scary road conditions, the local Walmart seemed a bit busier after work yesterday.  I know this because I was there with the rest of my neighbors.

The big chain store was ready with a small mountain of bagged, ice-melting salt waiting for us at the front door (smart marketing).  I already had batteries, flashlights, candles and matches at the house, but I probably should pick up some bottled water, and since it was my normal weekday grocery run anyway, I would just add a few more items to my mental list.  Then I turned down the bread aisle…

It was all but empty! 

At least I tried to go healthy…

Which makes sense, when you consider that the kids are going to be home, stuck inside all weekend, and hungry; that if the power goes off and cooking is not an option, PB&J can still reign supreme.  Or if mom and dad have to go to work (somehow) the kiddos can make their own sandwich.  So, even in our first-world environment, bread continues at the top of the staples list.  Of all the other aisles I went down, that was the one that was obviously the most popular.  But it was only 4PM, and the store was running out.

Similarly, how interesting it is to me that sometimes when things are bad, or there is an impending crisis, we head for the Bread: 

“Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

The influx of people into the churches after 9/11 is just one example.  For many, true emergency causes us to hear “deep calling unto deep”, that perhaps there is a solution beyond what I am able to sustain on my own.  And if I’m truly fortunate, I’ll also recognize that my need to provide for others goes beyond my own ability to do so.

When that happens, and it will, and people head for the Bread aisle, will the church be prepared?

Will I?

John 6:35  Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.