I think I have just watched one of the most disturbing video clips surrounding this year's hyped-up Black Friday Sales. You can watch it below at the end of this post.
To top it off, I also saw an ad today claiming that the one who shops Black Friday early (by shopping on Thanksgiving Day, no less) will be a "Hero to their kids".
What?? Really?
I'll be the first to admit that I am a novice---a true novice---at being the mother that my children need me to be, let alone a hero. But I do know that something is wrong, when a parent becomes a "hero" for focusing on shopping for the children on Black Friday, to the exclusion of Thanksgiving.
A hero, by definition, is a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. (Dictionary.com)
A parent is a hero when they love a child who is wayward, who is struggling, who is rebellious.
A parent is a hero when they are trying to be courageous, doing what has to be done, in order to provide for their family.
A parent is a hero when they are willing to listen to a child tell the same joke or story 101 times.
A parent is a hero when, however imperfectly, they strive to make Thanksgiving Day just that---a Day of being thankful for each other and for God's gracious provision over the past year.
Materialism is so rampant in today's world. If you get the newspaper tomorrow, I imagine what you will find is that it is chock full of the latest, the greatest, the best, the newest, the must-haves for the season.
Don't get me wrong, I long to give good things, fun things, to my children. I so easily fall into the materialism trap. I am the farthest, the FARTHEST thing from a hero.
But I think the video posted below and the seemingly excessive bombardment this year of Black Friday and Cyber Monday ads is a wake-up call.
Hebrews 10:34b states:
"you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one."
I JOYFULLY accepted the plundering of my property---does that mean that I desire for my property to be plundered? No, I don't think so. But I do think that the last part of this verse puts my property, the Christmas gifts I desire to buy for my children, and life here on earth into perspective: I have, and I hope--I pray--my children will have, a better possession and an abiding one, but not here. I long to go home.
May you have a beautiful Thanksgiving with your family. I'm a lousy cook, but I am grateful for a day of thankfulness and time with my children--even if the turkey is dry and the pies get burned. :)
Colossians 2:6-7
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
To top it off, I also saw an ad today claiming that the one who shops Black Friday early (by shopping on Thanksgiving Day, no less) will be a "Hero to their kids".
What?? Really?
I'll be the first to admit that I am a novice---a true novice---at being the mother that my children need me to be, let alone a hero. But I do know that something is wrong, when a parent becomes a "hero" for focusing on shopping for the children on Black Friday, to the exclusion of Thanksgiving.
A hero, by definition, is a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. (Dictionary.com)
A parent is a hero when they love a child who is wayward, who is struggling, who is rebellious.
A parent is a hero when they are trying to be courageous, doing what has to be done, in order to provide for their family.
A parent is a hero when they are willing to listen to a child tell the same joke or story 101 times.
A parent is a hero when, however imperfectly, they strive to make Thanksgiving Day just that---a Day of being thankful for each other and for God's gracious provision over the past year.
Materialism is so rampant in today's world. If you get the newspaper tomorrow, I imagine what you will find is that it is chock full of the latest, the greatest, the best, the newest, the must-haves for the season.
Don't get me wrong, I long to give good things, fun things, to my children. I so easily fall into the materialism trap. I am the farthest, the FARTHEST thing from a hero.
But I think the video posted below and the seemingly excessive bombardment this year of Black Friday and Cyber Monday ads is a wake-up call.
Hebrews 10:34b states:
"you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one."
I JOYFULLY accepted the plundering of my property---does that mean that I desire for my property to be plundered? No, I don't think so. But I do think that the last part of this verse puts my property, the Christmas gifts I desire to buy for my children, and life here on earth into perspective: I have, and I hope--I pray--my children will have, a better possession and an abiding one, but not here. I long to go home.
May you have a beautiful Thanksgiving with your family. I'm a lousy cook, but I am grateful for a day of thankfulness and time with my children--even if the turkey is dry and the pies get burned. :)
Colossians 2:6-7
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
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