Black Friday thoughts

Ok, so I’m reading the Sunday paper this morning, since I never seem to get around to reading it on Sunday, and what jumps out at me are the number of ads for the Friday after Thanksgiving, or “Black Friday”.  They announce that stores will be open at 3 AM or that great deals are to be had by all who attend and generally infer that this is something you just can’t miss.  That it would be un-American  not go to the stores in the wee hours of Friday morning and hunt for that elusive perfect gift at rock bottom prices.   Because I am on antidepressants, with the desired effect of avoiding any suicidal tendencies, I have no inclination to venture out into the blackness of early Friday morning and place myself into the throng of people shoving their way through the stores.  I do like the bargains, but look for them from the safety and relative sanity of my own home, online.   It strikes me, however,  that the stories and ads for Friday far outnumber any mentions of the Thanksgiving holiday that occurs the day before.  What happened to the day set aside to give thanks for the blessings we have received throughout the year?  The day where family gathered together and sat down to a meal prepared with love (ok, at least prepared at home) then visited after and just took a break from the busyness of our everyday lives.  When the story of the settlers in Plymouth, later known as the Pilgrims, was remembered.  How their faith brought them to this New World and their God sustained them through that first difficult year.  Maybe it’s just me, because those settlers are my ancestors, but it seems like we are so caught up in the “things” and the “feast” and the football games and the “adventure” of shopping first thing Friday, that we have forgotten what Thanksgiving is meant to be.  A day to set aside from the world and it’s “stuff” and just reflect on the mercies that God has blessed us with in the previous year.  For me this year, there are many.  We have two new additions to the family, one brand new granddaughter and one slightly used (but still special) son-in-law.  We have the relief of knowing my mother-in-law is being well cared for in the nursing home while my father-in-law, who took excellent care of her at home, can now regain his health and take part in life again.  We have had our share of unemployment and stress over bills and school and all that, but each time God has proven He is there and able to provide.  This year, I will be able to sit at the table and look around at our seven daughters, three son-in-laws, three grandsons and two granddaughters, my husband and father-in-law and see my blessings.  It may not be that way next year.  I will think of my family out east and wish we could be together, but will be thankful for them and all that they have experienced this year.  I will be able to be thankful for our church family, and the kids I work with at church, and my friends and our daughters’ friends and families and the list goes on and on and on. So I am going to put all my energy this week into celebrating on Thursday.  And Friday, I choose to be “un-American” and spend the day at home.  Where the only shoving and pushing will come when everyone wants to use the one bathroom we have at the same time or get the last piece of apple pie left from the day before!

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