Black Friday

I made the mistake of venturing out yesterday, on Black Friday. For those unfamiliar with the term Black Friday, it is the Friday following Thanksgiving in America. The day is commercialized and focused on enticing holiday shoppers to come out in droves.


I stood, astonished, in the center of a mall. As news of economic concerns and alarm about credit availability, foreclosures, and the stock market fill every newscast and newspaper, the crowds seemed oblivious to these concerns. Shopping bags were bulging. Credit cards were swiped. An economic downturn was not obvious yesterday.


We are just a spoiled, materialistic society. For moments yesterday, I thought of those in our country and around the world who are in search of their next morsel of food or a roof to provide shelter from harsh weather. Little to them, does having the most stylish handbag or piece of jewelry, matter.


My own heart longs for a simpler life. Too much house only results in more time required to clean and organize it. Too many personal treasures rob us of money, add debt to credit cards, and take up space in our minds and lives.

I was reminded of this Scripture:

Matthew 6:19-20:

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.