Read Time: 5 min 32 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

U.S. NEWS

The SNAP Gap

The government shutdown is stretching into its 36th day… now the longest on record. 

Pressure rose to get the government’s lights back on this past week. Nearly 42 million people rely on help buying groceries from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is a food stamp program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). On Saturday, funding ended and the grocery money didn’t come.

Judges said that the USDA needs to spend its $4.65B rainy-day fund to pay for SNAP benefits. But November’s SNAP budget was about $9B… so it’s still not enough. Plus, the money may take weeks to arrive in food shoppers’ accounts.

What will it take to reopen the government? The Senate needs to pass a law that lets Uncle Sam keep spending money for a short while, even though Congress hasn’t finished the new budget. 

The leader of the Senate, John Thune (R-SD), said he’s “optimistic” about reopening this week. But on Tuesday in its 14th vote, Congress was still six yeses short of the 60-vote majority needed to finally end the shutdown.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Fight against the pull to become hard or uncaring when you hear about people in need. Jesus calls us to have compassion on hurting people, remembering our own need for God and serving others generously. 

“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.” 
Galatians 6:9-10 (CSB) (read full passage)

What response to this story do I want to model for my children?
Generous and cheerful giving. 

Hard national headlines can leave us feeling helpless. But 1 in 8 people losing food assistance across America means there will be a surge in the needs of many people in our own communities. We can give from willing, joyful hearts because God has graciously given us everything we need: 

“The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 CSB).

How can I model putting my hope and trust in Christ when discussing this story?
There isn’t much we can do to get the government up and running again.

But the Bible describes a waiting game as one of the most spiritually helpful places to be. When the circumstances we want are deferred, God calls us to stop angling for outcomes and instead focus on our character. 

Who will we be while we wait? God will ultimately take care of the outcome, and we can trust Him for a happy ending in His presence. Until then, “You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:8 CSB; also see Psalm 27; Proverbs 3:5-6; Lamentations 3:25–26; Romans 5:2-5).

• Lend a hand locally. Reach out to your church or a food bank to learn how you can share with others, or donate to an organization like this one that provides gift cards for military families going without paychecks.
   

• Memorize Galatians 6:9, “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up” (CSB).
   

• Pray for those in your community who are struggling with their everyday costs, whether grocery or others. If your family is feeling the strain, continue praying for God to provide, and don’t be afraid to ask your brothers and sisters in Christ for help. Give them an opportunity to express love and feel the joy of generosity.

Want a written prayer to help you bring food stamps and the government shutdown before the Lord in prayer? Join us in Praying the News, TPO’s new (free) Sunday newsletter.

CREAM AND SUGAR

Gen Alpha Word of the Week: Ask your kids what 67 (the word of the year) means, because no one else seems to know. 

Family Fun: Can you spot the words from today’s Decaf in this word search? (Peep the answer key on page 2.)

Whipped Cream on Top: Pretty sure we've all done these things…

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