Why eat organic?

This is a question I ask myself everyday, possibly multiple times a day. Let me give a little background to why I am asking this question all the time. I am the manager of a coffee shop/cafe. The other half of our business is a gourmet market. Now I live  and work in the mountains of North Carolina, also known as hippie region. We carry a lot of organic products. However, I typically do not go a day without having to listen to a customer pitch a fit about something not being organic, even though a good 80% of what we carry is organic. Something may even be technically organic, with no hormones, but it does not have the USDA label so it is not good enough for them. Does eating organic cause grown women to act like 2 year olds, because if it does I want nothing to do with it?

 Why do people insist on eating organic? What is their reasoning? I know some people legitimately do it for health reasons. Parents do not want to pump their kids full of hormones. No one wants their 7 year old daughter to look like a full grown woman. Let me go ahead and say that I have no problem with eating organic, and especially no problem with fair trade. I myself eat organic products from time to time, and like for my coffee to be fair trade. I really do not have a problem with it if it's being done for health purposes. But let me tell you, one non USDA approved turkey sandwich will not kill you.

Does eating organic make one person better than the other? How many times have I heard, "Well I can't drink the milk you drink because it is not organic." Really??? I'm still alive and kickin' so it won't hurt you to have one latte without organic milk. I think being a organic eater or a local buyer has become something to be proud of, especially in my area. Do we really do it to because it's something we believe in, or are we following fads? 99% of the groceries I buy are not organic; so does that make me an "unhealthy" person.

Let me ask you this, do you think you have the "right" to eat organic? Ok so maybe you do. Are you entitled to it? No, you're not it's a blessing that you have that option.

According to the United States Census Bureau, "In 2010, 46.2 million people were in poverty, up from 43.6 million in 2009—the fourth consecutive annual increase in the number of people in poverty." It has probably increased since then, but that means that 46.2 million people cannot afford to eat organic. What makes you deserve organic food more than them?

Let's think globally here for a few minutes. What about the orphan in Haiti, who doesn't even know what the word organic means? Does he have the right to eat organic? He is very unhealthy, gets very few nutrients, has no mom to cook for him, yet fully enjoys the half of non organic pb&j sandwich he is offered.

Or the little girl in Asia who is forced to service men 8 times a day to "earn" her food. If she works a little harder, does she then have the right to eat organic?

Why don't we as Americans just ship all of our non organic food to other countries? Just think of all the kids who would so much healthier, their tummies would be full of food instead of empty and bloated.

Now I can't stereotype organic eaters and I know I am being very blunt. You may eat organic, but give to charity, or work with the orphans and the hungry. That's awesome. Praise God that He has blessed you to be able to eat organic food and help others.

I mainly just want to call attention to patterns I am noticing, and suggestions for making everyone's lives a lot more pleasant.

• The organic eater is not better than the single mom who does all she can to be able to buy non organic sustenance for her children.
• It will not kill a person to eat one meal that is not organic.
• If you go to a place of business and they do not have organic items, leave instead of complaining to the poor innocent employee who probably can't afford to buy organic food herself.
• You are not entitled to organic food, you are blessed to have that option.
• Think of those who do without food altogether.
• As believers, Jesus tells us to feed those who are hungry, and cloth those who are naked, for when we do this we are feeding and clothing Him.

Friends Part 2

This is the last week of college for most of my friends. In just a couple days it will be one full year since I graduated from Montreat. It really seems like it was forever ago. This week will be full of celebrating with friends and putting off saying good bye to those who are near and dear to my heart.

Recently I have been reminded of the many beautiful friendships the Lord has blessed me with. Those who are here in NC, but not limited to NC. Friends in Florida, Tennessee, Haiti, Georgia, Boston(well soon) and many many other places.

I love how the Lord puts people in your path to go through life with you. We may not still work at the same camp, go to the same school, or live in the same town, but a quick message can be sent to encourage someone and make a friend's day a little bit better. I love being able to sit and share our hearts with one another, whether we're in the same room or talking on skype. We are here to spur one another on towards love and good deeds. It makes me smile when I see friendships who actually do that. Sisters, who sit and listen to all the struggles that have taken place over the past year. It's so cool when a word doesn't have to be uttered  but knowing looks are shared and smiles grace each other's faces. When you haven't talked in weeks or months, but you can send a quick text that says, "Pray for me," and you know that is exactly what they'll do. Or a friend that you see every day and the craziness of life can get in the way, but you're called into the room and they say, "I just wanted to say, I love you." Oh how it warms my heart.

It is so good for us to remind one another that we love each other. Does the Lord not use friendships to love us? That's not the only way, but I know He blesses me over and over again through my sisters.

So to all my friends who are graduating or have graduated, "Congrats, you made it and I am so proud of you. I'm so glad I have been able to walk through this season with you."

To ALL my friends everywhere, "I love you and I so glad to be able to walk through life with you, whether I talk to you every day or we haven't talked in a while."

It is such a priviledge to be able to do life with one another. Let us not take it for granted. As spring turns to summer we all enter into new phases of life, or at least a new season :) But as life around us changes, let us not forget that it is the Lord who put us in one another's lives for a reason. I am sure He will continue to use us in each other's lives. HE is so good and faithful, even when we are not.