Posts Tagged ‘Black Friday’

Friday, November 23rd, 2012

As I sit here, sipping my candy coffee this morning….I'm thinking about all that God has done for me.  His guidance, His mercy & WOW, His forgiveness.  All of which I sometimes take for granted.  What a God, right?  I'm so pathetic!  He never stops blessing IN SPITE OF MY FOOLISHNESS!

Thank you, Lord.  I am not worthy.

Two of my kids are working today, the youngest is where many of her peers are….bed!  I cringe thinking about the Friday crazy going on outside my comfy warm house.  I can't think of anything I need or want bad enough to go out and face bad manners, aggressive bargain shoppers and grumpy tired store employees.  I mean it.  What is the pull to all of this?

I've been searching my own heart a little regarding just what it is that pushes us to seek such craziness for "stuff".

Am I allowing STUFF to be my purpose?  The reason I ask (myself) is because it is so easy to love stuff.  I don't want stuff to consume me to the point of ditching out on my family.  I know Black Friday shopping can be fun….but really?  Is it that much fun fighting all the crowds and unkindnesses that go along with it for some discounted prices?  I don't think so.  I never want stuff to take the place of my real responsibilities….my home & family.

Is the deal THAT GREAT?  Some may argue this with me and I don't care…there aren't any deals so wonderful that I'd miss sleep or put myself or loved ones on the road at wacky hours to score.  I love sleep and I love shopping but I'm not going to jeapordize either for the other.  Besides, I'm not sure if everyone knows this or not but the great prices are only for a limited time and on a VERY LIMITED amount of merchandise.  Why would I stand in line for hours for an item that won't even be there when I finally reach it?  No thanks.  Hello, online shopping!!

What do I REALLY need?  When I think about what I really need it never involves more stuff or a great deal on something.  Same goes for my family.  Neither of us NEEDS more stuff.  Oh, we like stuff and we'll probably buy more stuff between now and Christmas but we don't need any of it.  We really need more Jesus.  We need to utilize our time better so that we spend it wisely WITH HIM.  Each of us have pretty much everything we want (well, I'd love to replace my 14 year old car) and I can't fathom being hungry or going without REAL NEEDS because God has made sure I don't have to.  So, shopping til I drop is not what I need.

I don't want you to get the idea that I'm trash-talking you if you're a big Black Friday shopper because I'm not.  It's just not my thing and I've given you my reasons.  I'm happy to stay home.  I know there are deals but what about the retail employees?  I find it pretty sad that they have to work and endure the crowds who will trample a grandma for a wii gaming system or a tv.

I can only think of one Friday that deserves this much attention.

Can you?

It’s BLACK out there!

Friday, November 26th, 2010

I’ve never been a fan of shopping after Thanksgiving! I mean, seriously? Who wants to? Oh wait, lots of folks…..just turn on the news and see. Crowds of pushy shoppers cram their way through the freshly opened doors of stores all over the country. It’s as if you don’t shop today….all the STUFF will be goooooone, forever!

That could be a good thing. I think. What about you?

I didn’t grow up with this shopping tradition. My family always decorated our house for Christmas after Thanksgiving. It never crossed our radar to go out at the crack of dawn….which by the way, is it just me or do they switch these times up to as soon as you put the turkey in the fridge the stores OPEN? It’s like a contest. I think I’ve made my point. I’m not in to win.

Why?

1–I hate crowds! Despise the whole scene. I like people, don’t get me wrong. I just don’t like to shop in complete armored aggressive mode. Not my thing!
2–The deals, really? This just baffles me. While I bet there are some sweet prices on some cool stuff. Is it really that good? The entire month of December is full of sweet deals. I never pay full price for anything I buy…ever!
3–No sleep! I’m a wimp when it comes to missing my rest. I feel horrible, therefore….I will end up treating people awful! Not a good trade-off if you ask me. There is no deal worth missing sleep over unless it is FREE!!!
4–LONG LINES!! Oh no! I can’t even put down in words how that stresses me out! Let’s just say……I’m the most impatient chick on the earth when it comes to standing in a mile long line with crying kids and mean moms. Think: Do not sin in your anger!! Bad scene, people!


{What in tarnation?}

5–My money, gone! It’s no secret! My family budget is pretty much nada. Any extra moola we might have is a luxury at this point. Spending it on Christmas is going to have to be very well thought out. Who can do that in the BF frenzy? Not me. I’ll stick to lists and searching for the best deals on them. {Which I always seem to find}
6–Traffic! Gack! This runs neck and neck with the long lines and pushy fellow shoppers. HORRIBLE!! Not to mention, a tad dangerous. Wouldn’t that just be a great memory for your family….”Mom tragically killed in Black Friday shopping traffic pileup!”? Maybe that sounds a little over the top…but it could happen! Who wants people milling around at their funeral talking about how she had to get to Target for the great deal on 42″ flatscreen tv? Uhh, not me dude!

I can think of so many other things more worthy to do today. My son is home from college, the weather is cold and soon to be snowy and my husband is digging into house projects as I write. I want to go crawl up in the middle of all the fun to be found in staying home.

Good luck to you if you’re one of the many out shopping today. I hope it was worth it. 🙂

“Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” Ps. 119.37
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2