Black Friday
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Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days in the United States.
Flyers and newspaper and TV advertisements display an array of bargain prices on everything from laptop computers and electronics to kitchen appliances; you name it—all to lure buyers. Black Friday also highlights the worst display of shoppers’ behavior.
Avid shoppers map out strategies to catch the best door busters.
Some camp out in front of stores, hoping to be the first ones to race inside for the items on their list. This may seem like fun, but disappointment can turn ugly if a good deal is missed. I stay home on Black Fridays. Seeing pictures of people trampled upon and buried by the frenzied crowd is enough for me. It is so insane! Several years ago, though, I was part of that insanity. Our son, Roy, wanted to get a laptop and invited us to join him.
My husband, Henry, and I accepted his invitation, just for the fun of it.
Four o’clock on Black Friday morning found us waiting among the crowd who braved the thirty-five-degree weather of Northern California.
A number of dedicated people spent the night in tents.
Some brought their lawn chairs, while others patiently stood in line, sipping their coffee. When the doors opened, the first one hundred people were allowed to go in.
It was well organized, with no crowd rushing inside the store.
After a while, it was announced, “The discounted laptops are all sold out.” Shoppers who were hoping to get a laptop left. Later, the Sony TV sets were sold out too.
More people left. It was quite an experience.
Roy did not get his laptop, but that was part of the game.
Receiving God’s grace is not like shopping on Black Friday.
His grace is provided to all—abundant and free.
No need to stand in line or camp out all night to obtain it.
It is not on a “first come, first served” basis. God’s forgiveness is not limited to the “first one hundred people in line.” No announcement will be made stating, “God’s compassion is now all sold out.” May we be found eagerly awaiting at heaven’s gates—ready to avail ourselves of God’s compassionate offer of eternal life!
Evelyn Porteza Tabingo
