BLACK FRIDAY MADNESS!!!

Today is Black Friday....

   It is a day I normally look forward to. I usually go out with two of my besties, and we stand in line all night to score some deals. We drink Peppermint Mocha's from Starbucks and have breakfast together in the wee hours of the morning. I always tell myself I go for the "girl time" more than anything. 

This year I decided to skip it.

       It just is hard to stomach when I start thinking of my friends on the other side of the world who are struggling to just survive. When I think of our daughter in Ethiopia who probably didn't have anything to eat while we were enjoying our Thanksgiving feast.

I just couldn't get into it. Please don't get me wrong----I am not saying that any of you should feel bad for your shopping trips. But I felt personally convicted.

Being home today felt strange. I was reading everyone's FB posts about all of their deals and I started to feel like I should have went shopping.

The truth is--I only by junk on Black Friday. Silly things that I don't need and I am pretty sure everyone could live without.  But for some reason I still wanted to shop---it made me really pause and do a heart check.

Where is my treasure?  I know it's not here. I have so much---and for some reason, I always seem to find a need for more. 

I want my life and my checkbook to reflect my values. I don't need the next best thing. Possessions cannot replace community, friendship and family. I love to give gifts--but I want to be intentional. I want to give gifts with meaning.

  I needed to stay home today. I needed to continue to focus on what I am thankful for. I have alot to be thankful for.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21