Why Do We Have A Black Friday?

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I stopped by a local restaurant this morning to get a cup of coffee.   This establishment was very quiet and business was slow.  Everyone was out shopping.

The cashier looked at me and says, "I don't get it.  If we just celebrated a day of thanks, then why can't we be content with what we have?  Why do we have to go out and shop ourselves to death?  This doesn't make any sense?"  At first, I thought she was joking when I quickly realized that she was honestly struggling with this.

We do seem to be sending a mixed message though.  If we were happy on Thursday, what happened during the night to change our mind?  I know that we have to buy certain gifts for Christmas and there are some deals that are truly money saving options for us to take advantage of.  But that got me to thinking?  Do we do this more often than we think?

We say we serve a God that provides for our needs, but we complain about the size of our house?
We say we serve a God of peace but blow up every time someone cuts us off in traffic?
We say we follow Jesus but can't remember when the last time was that we prayed to Him?
We say that we are grateful, but complain about what we have?

I'm just saying.  We might need a check up from the neck up.

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

During the holidays jealously, desiring what others have, materialism, and a host of other things could tempt you.  So in order to keep those things from ruining your holiday worship, think about the following. 

Choose what you are grateful for and be satisfied with it.  If you get some kind of "upgrade" during the holidays go ahead and praise God.  But if you don't, you didn't lose anything. 

Teach your children and grandchildren what contentment is. Set future generations free from turning Black Friday into the Black Holidays. 

Look past the marketing and Christmas bling.  See love, hope, and joy.  Then share it with as many people as possible.  Why?  Because it's free and with Christ, you will never run out.  

PRAY:  Dear Jesus, let me count my blessings, be satisfied with them and share them with others.  AMEN  

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