Thoughts, Thanksgiving and Black Friday

I have been home for about two days now, and I have to say that it has been the most restful, and most needed break I feel that I have had since I have been at school. It has been quite relaxing to just read for pleasure, watch movies, sleep late, all the pleasures of life that I haven't really participated in much these past few weeks, but it seems that you exchange one kind of stress for another. No matter how nice it is to be home, I always miss you my darling.

Thanksgiving went really well, I got to see some family that I had not not seen in some time, and got to play with my little cousin will who is almost 14 months old and one of the cutest kids you will ever see. We played all sorts of games with him just to see his cute grin, smile, and laugh. We had a wonderful meal large enough to feed and army and very delicious (its good to have home cooked food again), and then after everybody has left I have just been watching movies with my sister, letting the drowsiness wash over me. It's been wonderful and I have much to be thankful for.

It is such a wonderful occasion to come together with the ones you love and reflect upon all of the blessings that we have received in our lives and yet I was wondering today why we only seem to do this once a year. Wouldn't it be much more amazing if we took the time daily or weekly to sit back and think about how gracious God is and how well he has provided for us. I am very fed up with how the emphasis in the world today seems to be on rushing through life like there is no worth to be found in the down moments inbetween one task and another. I think more of us need to see that life is a blessing in each one of its forms, and that it is in the moments that we reflect on moments past, and give thanks with grateful hearts for all that has happened ,and all that has been achieved. To take the time instead of passing through day by day looking to the future vacations as better days, but to not look at the beauty that each day may reveal. To truly live in a state of thanksgiving at each moment of our lives.

I read an article in the Houghton Star written about Veterans day and how it is a holiday that passes by seemingly without any notice of the people of this country, and the proposed reason for this was that there was no way to market merchandise for this holiday and thus no real reason to celebrate it right? Sadly this seems to be the case in this country. That the holidays in which capitalism can truly reign supreme are the holidays that are most important, and the rest fall by the wayside. Why is this? Is buying and selling really more important that reflection on family, or even the birth of our Lord Jesus, because buying gifts is much more important than all of that right? So this got me thinking about Thanksgiving and how sometimes it seems that it is just a stepping stone to the "Christmas season" which really means that time when everybody frantically buys gifts instead of really thinking about the true meaning of the holidays.

I sometimes wonder which is the real holiday for a lot of people, thanksgiving, or black Friday. That shopping has become what comes to mind at this time of year. I think that this title "Black" suits the day well, not because its the worst shopping day of the year, but that it stands for the mindset of most Americans, that holidays are only as good as the presents that come along with it. For example, I watched on the news tonight about how some people rushed back from seeing their family so that they can sit all night in front of wal-mart in 18 degree weather to go shopping tomorrow. It breaks my heart to see how family values and quality time have been replaced by shopping.

So maybe we can change this in our own hearts. To step back from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and be thankful for what we have, and not so focused on what we do not have, or what we must have in light of the holiday season. Maybe this holiday season we take the time to reflect on what it is that we are celebrating, and not be so hung up on the consumer goods associated with it. Maybe we can as the cliche says put Christ back into Christmas.

Happy Holidays everybody I pray that you will take time to appreciate all that God has blessed you with and press into his heart with thanksgiving and praises for how wonderful he has been to us all. God Bless.