Hobby Lobby to keep doors open after hearing message from God

Hobby Lobby is once again reminding Americans that our country is free — authorities cannot dictate our every move, regardless of what government, social media or mass media “tell” us to do.

The big-box craft store chain, no stranger to controversy, is citing a message from God in its decision to stay open amid the coronavirus crisis, reports Business Insider.

Hobby Lobby drew howls of protest in 2014 when it challenged a mandate issued by the Obama administration that required companies to provide health care options for contraceptives. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled that private companies could be exempt from such policies because of religious belief.

More than 90 big, U.S. retailers have temporarily closed in the past week in an effort to stem the spread of the virus, but Hobby Lobby has remained open for business, leaving it up to their customers. On Saturday, digital strategist Kendall Brown tweeted a photo of a memo allegedly written by Hobby Lobby founder David Green, in which the openly Christian businessman mentions the power of God as part of his justification to stay open.

In the note to staff, Green reportedly wrote that the decision was guided by a message from God to his wife Barbara Green, whom he called a “prayer warrior.”

“In her quiet prayer time this past week, the Lord put on Barbara’s heart three profound words to remind us that He’s in control. Guide, Guard, and Groom,” Green reportedly said in the letter. Green wrote that while the future remains unclear, the company can “rest in knowing that God is in control,” adding that the company may have to “tighten our belts.” in the future.

“While we do not know for certain what the future holds, or how long this disruption will last, we can all rest in knowing that God is in control,” he wrote.

Hobby Lobby did not respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.

Though the company wrote in a note on its website that if a worker exhibits symptoms it “will send that employee for medical care to self-isolate at home,” it did not state if they will be eligible for paid sick leave. According to the company’s 2017 benefits guide, only salaried employees are eligible for paid sick leave and that has not changed.

Green’s note was widely lambasted on Twitter and several users jumped at the chance to attack a big Christian business, including writer and editor Parker Molloy. Molloy dubbed Hobby Lobby one of “the most deceptively evil companies on the planet.”