Chocolate Desires

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There was terror in the woman’s eyes !

Accidently, I had pushed my shopping cart too close to her, and she reacted in fear, thinking that I, a mild-mannered rural housewife, could be someone who infects her with a deadly virus.

She was wearing a pink face mask, and mine was blue.

We were shocked by what we saw when we travelled for two hours to a Wal-Mart store yesterday.

There were directional signs everywhere. Newfoundlanders, normally so laid-back and friendly, scurried about minding their own business, concentrating on getting their purchases quickly. Everyone’s body language and furtive eye movements told the tale of people under severe stress.

Because these changes were new to me, I accidently walked in the wrong direction and scared the unsuspecting shopper !

My husband wanted to shop for some grass seed to repair our tiny area of super nice grass. He also needed a new lawn sprinkler. (water use is free here in rural NL)

My goal was to stock up on Swiss chocolate, and I bought eight bars.

Yes, I know that hoarding is not nice, but we all have different ways of dealing with stress, and I needed to replenish my supply of my favourite comfort food. We do have chocolate in our tiny town, but it is not Swiss. These bars will last me a long time.

Fear never comes from God. Perfect love, scripture tells us, casts out fear.

Yes, of course we all need to be prudent and take proper precautions at this time, but the cultural changes I am witnessing here on our fair island are disturbing.

We need to keep casting our worry on the One who cares for his beloved.

Let us keep trusting, and not be afraid.

Published by Dr. Sally

I am a retired Sociologist/Educator from Ontario. I now live at the very edge of the North American Continent. I spend my time in contemplation, spiritual reading , intercessory prayer, and maintaining a spiritual garden grotto as a place of prayer in my backyard by the Atlantic.

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38 thoughts on “Chocolate Desires”

    1. Hi !
      Thanks for your kind comment ! You are fortunate to have so much shopping around.
      Yes, going to Wal-Mart is a major trip for us.
      I packed a nice lunch for us yesterday. We like to bring our own snacks, especially at this time.
      This particular Wal-Mart is where all outport folks come for a major shopping experience 😁

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. I just read this excellent post. Yes, so true that people can tell when we are smiling even when we have masks on.
      Yes, fear is a liar.
      It cripples us spiritually.
      Thanks for sharing this link, and I do hope that all of our shopping experiences will improve soon.🤗

      Liked by 1 person

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  5. Hi Sally! Sorry to hear things are not so peaceful out there in the usually very quiet and peaceful land! Yes, people are stirred up and on edge creating an unworldly atmosphere to some eyes or in the least a truly paranoid one that had been to some significant degree in this fast digital world times only it all got a swift kick into new uncharted territory with the pandemic boosting fears or human shortcomings exponentially; maybe even a bit like that article I recently wrote The Invaders; the Seen and Unseen ! Yikes!!! I hope not!
    Funny you should give focus to the Chocolate Bars!!! That’s been my one major or even only indulgence to have moments of escape while enjoying the many soothing effect of chocolate on the mind and body! I’ve known this for years but just the simple truth of how it makes me satisfied reenergizing my zeal whenever I have a nice piece of Chocolate, sometimes I even spread some gourmet peanut butter over a segment for a double mouthwatering dessert! “Eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate benefits health in many ways. In fact, chocolate is now considered an anti-aging, anti-inflammatory “superfood” for the brain and body. Studies examining the health benefits of chocolate continue to reveal new and exciting chocolate benefits, particularly in the realms of cognitive function, mood, and heart/ blood vessel health.” universityhealthnews.com
    I’m heading to the market in just a bit and I won’t be leaving there without a few more large packages of my favorite chocolate! Let’s enjoy these simple pleasures and comforts while giving thanks; that God created them for us to savor with appreciation and delight! Life isn’t all about suffering! We need redemption; but also a bit of temporary relief here and there to get by as we are only living flesh beings with souls, and not in the kingdom to come yet, so these earthly vessels need simple material help too! ENJOY SALLY! 🤗

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    1. Hi Lawrence !
      I agree with you ! Chocolate definitely is healthy , and tasty.
      Hot chocolate is one of my favourites too.
      Yes, absolutely, God is pleased when we enjoy all the fabulous foods that he has created for us. 🐑

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      1. Hi Sally! Isn’t it so awesome that something that is so delectably tasty is very healthy too, that’s not typical! Just the antioxidant properties alone are sufficient reason to have chocolate around the home, good for the heart too! I did stock up today at the grocery store but it’s surprising how the paper goods and household cleaning products aisle are wiped out, understandably, I suppose those were items hoarded at the onset of the pandemic. Hopefully things will rebound better than expected on all fronts, and that is something I pray for! Hope your day was peaceful and enjoyable!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Hi Lawrence ! Glad that your shopping went well. We’ve had shortages of
        flour, which is understandable, since NL housewives are breadmakers.
        Loaves are shaped using three smaller loaves joined together, in honour of the Trinity.
        Yes, it is amazing the great variety of nutritious food we are blessed with.🐑

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Thanks Sally! Isn’t that very interesting how the locals there make their “Daily Bread!” I never heard of that but that is quite a tribute to the Lord God and simply a beautiful thing to do I think! Yup, we sure have a wide variety of beautiful foods to choose from, which I have to say that this fact isn’t fully appreciated by many. I’ll just be thankful for what I do have and “make do with what I’ve got!” I’ll pray that those good folks there are able to have the flour hey need to make the “Daily Bread!” Thanks for mentioning that locale tradition!

        Liked by 1 person

  6. I have found going out to run needed errands exhausting……..everyone is on edge and you are trying to stay away from people and remember everything you need so you don’t have to get out very often……..so, today I head out to do some errands with a mask and a prayer! 🙂 Glad you were able to restock your chocolate supply!

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    1. Hi Wendi ! Yes, I agree, it is exhausting. I pray before heading out too, and I wear a mask. Mood is indeed contagious, just as germs are, and I often sense the anxiety of others in the store. Blessings to you.🐑

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  7. A friend of mine told me that if her dad needs to go down an aisle in the wrong direction of the arrow, he will walk backward slowly to make it appear he is traveling in the direction of the arrows. lol

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  10. My nearest big store shopping is an hour’s drive, too. So, when we go in to the larger town, we always have to map out at least 4 hrs. because we have a list a mile long of to-do’s. Interesting that Swiss chocolate tops your list. Unsalted mixed nuts – the deluxe variety from CostCo is my go-to! Here in Montana folks are wearing masks and keeping safe social distancing, but we still are a friendly group – smiling and greeting – and grateful as a whole. I’m sorry you’re experiencing rudeness. I pray we can emerge from this pandemic as a kinder, friendlier, more compassionate, more unified world. Heaven knows we need each other! God bless you! Have a blessed Sunday ❤️🙏🏽

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    1. Hi Jan ! Nice to hear from you. I’m glad that your neighbours are being their usual kind and friendly selves.

      Yes, I agree, hopefully we are learning that everyone benefits from a kinder more compassionate world. We are all part of the human family. 🤗

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    1. I so agree with you !
      Fear is the opposite of trust.
      We can help unbelievers at this time by showing that we are unafraid.
      For sure, they are watching our behaviour at this time.

      We will continue to keep focused on the Lord, who grants us his peace despite our circumstances.
      Thanks for commenting. 🤗

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  12. Keep trusting and not be afraid. Good advice. And while you are living that out, keep eating Swiss chocolate! 🙂 I haven’t been in a store since mid-March because I can’t stand for a long time in line without pain in my back/hip/leg begin to take over. So I get groceries online and have them delivered. I always buy supplements and other personal supplies online anyway, so that hasn’t changed. Everything else I guess I can do without. So I haven’t had your experience at all. Hope I don’t have to. Too bad your “culture” in rural NL is changing. Hopefully it won’t be permanent but will return to at least partial normality after this is past.

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    1. Hi Diane !
      You are fortunate to be able to have groceries delivered. This is the ideal. I find that people’s true characters reveal themselves in times of crisis.
      We can be sure that nonbelievers will be watching us now, to see how we are behaving. Hopefully are actions are showing our consistent trust and confidence in the Lord.🤗

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      1. Yes, I agree with you there. We need to be so careful how we act or react to what is going on. Taking positive action is good, but reacting in a negative way will definitely not encourage non-believers to think well of Christians.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Sally: Nice Post!
    Faith is most certainly the opposite of fear. For without faith we cannot please Him. And you are right everyone deals with their stress in many different ways for example: I have been told many times that Chocolate is my downfall. I am a connoisseur of dark chocolate and when my days are dark and dreary at my desk I pull out my trusty chocolates, better known as chocolate therapy, and am able to get the job done. Yet, I realize that I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Blessings and Peace. Thanks for stopping by.

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