The Things You May Find in a Christian-Owned Mega-Corporation

Every once in awhile I kind of find myself in some pregnant pause as I stroll through the “Hobby Lobby.”

While part of me feels some amount of remorse for possibly being all “judgy” of this Christian Corporation, another part of me feels it may be okay to express my opinion.

You know.

As a professional artist.

And, a Christian, too.

Today, I had one of those pause moments, later wondering at how a product passed through the eye of whatever mechanism of product procurement this megalithic chain store uses. I mean, since they won’t use a bar code system (it is unclear in Google searches the exact reasoning…anything ranging from because the CEO David Green believes it is somehow connected to the mark of the beast to them wanting a philosophy of the human touch and continuation of less computerized methods, even in teaching employees skills….) perhaps the giant of a texted-coffee mug with an idea that in the strict sense is not very biblical somehow “squeezed through the eye of the needle,” so to speak.

One article below says that many of their products come from cottage industries making it impossible to barcode. I could be wrong, but I’m not buying that line.

When I walk in Hobby Lobby I see lots of really cute home decor pieces priced as though mass-produced. The store is full of the kinds of items I endeavor, to some degree, to make my living at, being a small full-time artist and doings calligraphy, decorative art and much more customized work. I honestly don’t know if these products originate in China or the US, but, it is simply a pet peeve of mine for a number of reasons I will go on to elaborate on, from my perspective.

David Green: Bypassing the Barcode (Part 2)

Why Doesn’t Hobby Lobby Use Barcodes? (Why Are The Lines So Long + More)

Why Doesn’t Hobby Lobby Use Barcodes? (Why Are The Lines So Long + More)

“A preacher’s son from a poor background, Hobby Lobby founder David Green opened his first crafts shop in 1970 with a $600 loan. His empire has grown from a …”

https://www.forbes.com/profile/david-green/?sh=21ca97124ef0

You know, there is a human touch needed by every cashier and stock person who has to manually key prices into the register, look through sales flyers to apply discounts, label products with sticky price tags (hopefully from a more modern applicator than I used the summer of 1985 when I worked at Surf City Five N Ten on Long Beach Island, NJ)...all while at least one customer (me) may be standing at the register not wanting to ever make a scene but hoping and wondering if I have been charged fairly and honestly on each item purchased.

My issue with Hobby Lobby is it is promoted as a “Christian art supply store.”

I have a problem with that.

Let’s take sports.

Are there “Christian baseballs” and then “regular baseballs?”

How about musical instruments.

Are there “Christian guitars” and then “regular guitars?”

I have noticed that while other secular Art Supply Stores with more quality, professional items and less “pre-made” hobby stuff (darling as it may be) such as AC MOORE are going bankrupt, and Michael’s Stores sometimes seem overshadowed by the “Hobby Lobby,” that all of these, together, are putting the “mom-and-pop” art supply stores nearly out of business.

In Newark, Delaware, I am intimately acquainted with a small art supply and frame shop I’ve patronized since college. They sell quality stuff, and it is super small. But you get advice on products, personalized service, and much more. Shout out to Finley’s Art Shoppe!

But, yes, times do change. Now there is a Jerry’s Artarama in Newark. I must say, the plethora of items is also enticing.

Where I live in a more rural area, the nearest Dick Blick Supply Store is in Baltimore. I made a trip there last fall and bought nearly $500 in paints and top-quality professional art supplies.

Things you may find at Michaels, too, somewhat, but not the “Hobby Lobby.”

There is one particular shade of Winsor watercolors I use…(Winsor Blue/Green Shade…as opposed to Winsor Blue/Red Shade…) which for some odd reason, thought the “Hobby Lobby” does sell Winsor and Newton fine arts watercolor tubes…they do not stock this color. It is a pretty well-versed pigment, also known as Pthalo Blue.

I believe they do have another brand, with this shade.

I know it is petty. But this irks me.

I enter the store, temptation from the get-go as I weave my way through interesting and cute Home Decor Products (you know…pre-made products for people who have those “hobbies?”) to the back of the store where all the fine art stuff is located. That is, the amount of space they dedicate to fine arts materials.

And then, I can’t find the color I need.

But as they say, “you can’t always beat city hall.”

“If you can’t beat them, join them.”

And other cliches.

And so…my feet often tread the paths of the “Hobby Lobby,” like one walking The Camino de Santiago.

“El Camino” in Spanish means, “The Way.” 

And then…I saw that mug.

OK. I’ve seen that quote before. It’s actually a bit funny I suppose. All humans can be hurt in life and there is a temptation to wish ill on people.

The worst are people we formerly were in a holy covenant of marriage with, who somehow through a devolvement into contempt (that is always the biggest predictor of divorce) they find themselves sometimes embattled in some horrible (and extremely expensive) zero sum game.

The person who was supposed to be their “rib relationship” has somehow become something else.

Something is really askew in Eden…as they might say…

“Tears of my enemies.”

Now, though we have all probably had moments of those thoughts (if we’ve gone through a divorce) or even received nasty texts of ill-will from an former spouse…I think it would take a lot for me to buy that mug and drink my “cup-of-Joe” (coffee) from it.

I mean, really.

A faithful Christian might have a passing smirk at that – and I’m not saying they shouldn’t buy it because each person is free in Christ and must stand or fall before their own conscience and Master – I’m just saying, that buying it even for decoration and drinking from it takes it to a whole other level.

And having it available in a Christian corporation mega chain store, heavy in political activism and more, warrants a moment of thought.

Just a moment.

Now, if it were a cup of burning coals that read, “Kindness Shown to My Enemies,” it might make a bit more sense in such a store. Maybe.

On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Romans 12:20

There are some things I’ve created, symbolically and artistically, during my post-divorce recovery, to self-empower and help me re-process many of my deep wounds suffered. While some Christians might look askance at that, perhaps, I understand my inner workings and battles and also acknowledge seasons of anger and grief. Having our strange, personal “Ebenezers of anger and processing” is understandable and even valuable, serving its place, I believe.

“a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.”

Ecclesiastes 3:8

Back to the “Hobby Lobby.”

I just have a lot of pet peeves with them, although I’m a hypocrite. I go there because it is convenient and I even turn my head at some of the things that leave such an ideologically bad taste in my mouth.

I am battling temptation to impulse buy from the moment I walk into that place, only I am strengthened, I suppose, along with all the possible pagans also shopping there, when I hear muzak versions of great hymns or else somewhat vapid, blase worship music wafting through the speakers in the background.

I love a soundtrack to my day…really…but I’m pretty picky what Christian music I choose.

While standing in register lines, I can also browse Christian bestsellers, such as the book the CEO wrote. I can see titles of many books I would never have interest in…from any subject such as managing my money to being a Woman of God.

I sometimes do add on some chocolate while waiting, so I can have a little tasty feast on my drive home.

I think my issues with the Hobby Lobby are not that they are a Christian-run business, nor that they sell too many pre-made craft items and sub-par fine art supplies. While I think they have a captive market, and that is another topic, and I think they might logically run two separate businesses if they want to not appear to be some type of entity of the sacred-and-secular mixed empire (for example, a Christian Home Decor/Bookstore and a Hobby Supply Shop), I think my deepest issue is the seeming marriage of the umbrella name of Christ being associated with a major mega-corporation that uses a significant amount of its profits for politcal persuasion. I’m not going to footnote this, if I am wrong please correct me. You, too, can Google and research the topic.

While other corporations routinely do this (and I’m not touching that issue here…) what they don’t do is promote themselves alongside the name of Christ, or being some type of Christian entity.

I suppose it is just…complicated.

__________

On Sunday, the sermon at church was about the Good Samaritan. The parable that raise the question, to Christians, through the teachings of Jesus, about “Who is our neighbor?”

Again…I could go on and on about my issues with this “Christian Corporation Art Supply Hobby Supply Political Entity ‘Store.’ “

So…let’s think about this for a minute. I could be wrong, but it seems to me that the Christian faith is deeply connected to Judaism.

Let’s just pause to reflect on the following images of Google searches…with questions…because…there should always be…questions…

I’m thinking a good way to end this piece is with some recently released music by one of my currently favorite artists…Mean Mary. She is a talented, fantastic indie-bluegrass (my term!) music creator (with awesome lyrics, too). She also does gospel hymns such as Rock of Ages and her music seems interwoven with biblical thought (in some pieces…such as this…and this…).

I really love her work. She was nicknamed “Mean Mary” as a child, by her brother, whom she performs with.

So lovely.

I recently saw this new piece on YouTube and listened last week. I was hoping to work it into my blogging somehow…seems to be tuckable right here at the end of the “Tears of My Enemies” piece.

While any call of faithfulness is difficult and we may falter, this musical expression says a lot…

I’m kinda thinking…if the Hobby Lobby is OK with selling mugs that say “Tears of My Enemies” they should at least pipe this soundtrack to the shoppers…