As I have begun my summer three-mile power-walking workouts on a commercial street in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, where I pass a Waffle House and a Tim Hortons, I noticed two large billboard signs taking aim at President Donald Trump and the economy. Both signs depict Trump in a petulant manner, with one asking why our vacations are so expensive this year. The other asks why grocery prices are so high. These questions are aimed at the mostly working-class population in this area that lives in nearby apartment complexes, and it's pretty obvious that the sponsors of these messages are not Trump supporters.

I think one point of agreement most people would share regarding these questions is that many Americans are concerned about rising prices for food and other essential consumer goods. Regarding vacations, fewer families are traveling this year, as a May Deloitte survey reported that only 45% had scheduled trips with hotel stays, based on a sample of 4,000. Close to one-third of the survey participants stated that a vacation was outside their budget. Of course, not being able to travel and relax is disappointing to many, but feeling the pinch at the grocery store hits harder. The surge in fuel prices due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz amid the war with Iran has resulted in an $85 to $120 increase in monthly household food expenses, according to a June Associated Press report. A routine Kroger stop for me, for quick items such as baked chicken at the deli, condiments, fresh blueberries and two packages of Taylor Farms salad, is just over $40, but I often end up spending $70 or $80 if I buy other items on sale or decide to stock up on cleaning products. The solace I get from checking out, however, comes from the fuel points I rack up, which help tremendously, given that gas is still over four dollars a gallon.

We have been dealing with rising grocery prices for the past six years when factoring in the Ukraine conflict, and experts interviewed in the AP report predict these higher costs "will outlast (the) Iran war." Americans have been very pessimistic about the economy during this period, with inflation continuing to fluctuate. In following these news stories closely, I have also taken a moment to step back from all the updates to remind myself of God's provision in distressing times. In one of my January columns, I mentioned a Gallup survey showing that Americans are becoming more skeptical about their future, and I quoted Matthew 6:25-26, where Jesus offers a beautiful example from nature, with God taking care of the birds He created. The illustration of these verses was visually displayed for me in April, when a mother robin built a nest in the top corner of one of my patio pillars. After the eggs hatched, I would peek through my blinds in the mornings to see the mother feeding her chicks, who cried constantly for food, making soft, high-pitched peeps. There was not a day that the mother lacked in taking care of her brood, as she had an abundant supply of worms and insects for them to feast on. She didn't have to wonder where her food was coming from. She knew exactly where to look to find it. A second family of robins settled in the same spot earlier this month after I had the first nest removed once it became empty. This time, I was able to observe the mother robin gathering twigs and grass to build her nest, though it turned out to be very small for her three chicks. They are now fledglings eager to leave and explore their surroundings. Their budding gray-brown feathers and orange breasts indicate that they have been well fed.

Watching these robin families has brought a serene enjoyment to my summer, especially since the news isn't getting better. We are currently waiting to see whether Trump's preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement will hasten an end to the war and provide some economic relief. Even if it doesn't, just a quick glance at my patio is a reminder that God has promised to supply all I need.

Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at smojc.jj@gmail.com. Follow her on X: @JjSmojc. To find out more about Jessica Johnson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Albert Stoynov at Unsplash