Look around to those at dinner—
To the saint and to the sinner.
Each one has a unique fable
Sitting by you at the table.
Take a moment just to listen,
And watch as their eyes all glisten.
Yesterday I saw a commercial for a phone company that depicted a family at the dinner table with a Thanksgiving Neal before them. The various members had unique techniques, but they were all trying to eat as quickly as possible. The ad made it clear they were rushing to a Black Friday sale that started on Thursday and offered good deals on new phones.
While the commercial was meant to bring laughter, I was saddened by it. I am not against Black Friday or even against the company who put out the commercial. I will take advantage of the sales just like everyone else. However, I think we need to realize the meaning of Thanksgiving.
It started as a way to thank God for His provision and blessing. Now it sometimes seems like nothing more than a precursor to Black Friday. We need to slow down and not just focus on what we can get but on what we already have. Let’s put the ads and phones down and take joy in what is happening around us; let’s take joy in what we already have.