Dear Friends,
REI, the outdoor sporting goods retailer, is trying something dramatic this year. Rather than advertising huge “Black Friday” sales, they will be closing their stores the Friday after Thanksgiving, and encouraging their patrons to use that day to get out into nature. You can bet the marketers at REI determined that opting out of the Black Friday sales mayhem won’t hurt their sales; nevertheless, it’s still a refreshing change.
As Christians, we might take a hint from the folks at REI and make the day-after- Thanksgiving our own “Thanks-Showing Day”. Why not opt out of the traditional “Black Friday” madness, and instead, make the day after Thanksgiving a day of service? Rather than following the herd seeking bargains, why not follow our hearts and seek opportunities to serve our fellow man?
But some may ask, “Can’t I serve my fellow man while waiting in line to pay for that super bargain I found at Target?” Of course you can – just target someone in line with you to be good to. The point is that Thanksgiving weekend is an especially appropriate time to use the gifts God has given us to show our thanks to HIM.
“God has also given each of us different gifts to use … If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully” Romans 6, 8-9 (CEV)
When we use the gifts that God has given us, and when we share the resources he has provided, the result is that praise and thanksgiving is offered to God.
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11-12 (NIV)
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
We wish each of you a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and a God-pleasing Thanks-Showing Day.
Please join with us in a prayer of thanks to God – from whom all blessings flow.
Verse for the week: “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.” Romans 12:1b (MES)
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 