Don't Forget Thanksgiving

I am not the cook in the house.  So I do the shopping, which I did the last couple of days leading up to Thanksgiving.  The crowds were out in full force this week.  Some were buying food to prepare for Thanksgiving.  But a lot also seemed to be scouting out the turf for the other pending day this week - Black Friday.  Every year, the retail world takes a little more time and focus away from Thankgiving.  Some stores will be opening as early as midnight tonight.  Plus many stores and malls put their Christmas decorations up weeks ago.  Even a few radio stations started playing Christmas music last week.

Hey, world, don't forget Thanksgiving.  Even if you don't consider yourself a "religious" person, I'm sure you can come up with an endless list of things you're thankful for.  If nothing else, most people will spend time with family for Thanksgiving.  But even if you can't be with family today, I can't believe there's nothing you can be thankful for.

For the believer in Jesus Christ, there's even more to be thankful for.  His love for us, His grace that strengthens us each day, and His mercy that offered the sacrifice we needed for our sins.  The Bible says He has given us every good and perfect gift.  Even our next breath and the beat of our heart is a gift from Him.  We should be thankful, not just on Thanksgiving day, but all year long.

There's nothing terribly wrong with Black Friday - as long as it's not an idol in your life.  As long as the things you are tempted to buy aren't your god.  If we put Christ first, then everything else should balance out nicely.  Remember Matt. 22:37:  "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."  I encourage anyone going shopping tonight or tomorrow morning to meditate on this verse first, then go with God's leadership and His peace about what you should or shouldn't do.....or buy.

I encourage us all to pause and give thanks.  For if we give thanks to the One who made us and who deserves our worship, then I believe Black Friday will be put in its proper perspective.

Pastor Randy