Musings on the Bacon Shortage

OK, I don't know if you heard the news story that because of this years drought there was not enough pig feed, so that next year there will be fewer pigs.  One farmer even went as far as feeding his pigs gummy bears to supplement there feed.  (Hey, that would make the part about the Prodigal Son wanting to eat what he was feeding the pigs have a very different twist!  But I digress....)

So the news media is predicting a bacon shortage next year.  That would not have been a problem for Jesus or his disciples, because of course they were Jewish and forbidden to eat pork products.  We , however, are descendants of Gentile Christians, and thanks to Paul did not have to follow all of the Jewish cleanliness regulations to convert.  So we can eat bacon to our heart's content, which is very good news to the men in my house.

Our Family eats bacon at least once a week when we do breakfast for dinner, and I was happy to find that bacon really isn't that bad for my diet.  Two pieces are only 70 calories.  So a bacon shortage is going to make our household very sad.  But as I read and heard people whine about the bacon shortage it made me think about how faithful was that response...

There will still be bacon.  It will just be more expensive next year.  Our family will probably still buy it just as often and "eat" the price increase.  We may have to switch from name brand to generic, but we will not go without.  But what about those who can't afford bacon or many other foods that we consider staples.  There are so many hungry people in the world, even here in our own communities.  The DeSoto Food Bank has been desperate.  Because of the economy the number of people needing food each week has grown and the number of people donating has shrunk.  They run completely out of rice, beans, and peanut butter every week.

Those of us who can afford to put food on our tables shouldn't complain or whine.  We have been blessed!  We need to be very thankful and not take for granted how much we are blessed.  But between the drought and the economy, many of our brothers and sisters are suffering.  God created enough food for everyone if we are just willing to share.  So, while our budget is still OK, I am trying to pick up something for the food pantry every time I go to the grocery.  I get peanut butter, or beans, or rice, or pasta, or canned goods for the food pantry.  So often we overlook the fact that we have food, clean water, clothes to wear, and a roof over our head.  Many people don't.  So in your daily prayers, thank God for what you have been blessed with, and in your daily lives, ask what you can do to be a blessing to others.

Peace.