Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Are you kidding me?

So, imagine my consternation when I was once again watching the news Monday morning. (I'm telling you, I am going to boycott it-even if it does make my spinning time go faster)

Same scene as last week...sweating, pedaling, and watching ridiculousness flowing out of the tube. 

The morning news anchors were running a story on some lady camping out at our local Best Buy in order to be first in line for the Black Friday deals.

Are you kidding me?!

Frankly, I was disgusted.

The footage was daytime footage, so this lady had begun her stakeout by Sunday at the latest. Whatever is on sale at Best Buy on Black Friday is worth camping outside in November in MI for 5 days?! Including a holiday? Really?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this seems a serious misalignment of priorities.

I figured there must be great sales to prompt this action, so I looked up the ad. Flipping through 20 pages, I failed to find one savings that is worth 5 days time away from work and family including a holiday of thankfulness.

I will not question this lady's motives, but I do wonder, just what she is hoping to get? The savings I saw were in the $100-$200 variety, with $850 being saved on one camera bundle. Maybe that is what she is heading for. I don't know.

In my mind, saving a couple hundred dollars doesn't not even sort of justify camping out in the parking lot of Best Buy Thanksgiving week.

It causes me to wonder what is wrong with our society to run an article about this. What is wrong with our society to think this is even remotely a good thing?

Maybe this woman is tight on cash, and she figures the payoff is worth more than time. But, I say time is money. And time with the important people in our life, far trumps getting a $300 television for $200.

And, is the person who is on the receiving end of this gift really going to appreciate it-especially since they maybe sacrificed their wife/mother for Thanksgiving week in order to get some electronic? And if they do appreciate it, what does that say about their priorities? That is a sad commentary. In my opinion, it is a lose-lose situation.

It makes me think of the verse I read today about the costs of following Christ...

For what is a man profited if he gain shall gain the whole world, but lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26

When hit by trials and suffering, by great loss, priorities often realign. You ask, "is it worth it?" Is this meal? This car? This latest electronic? This hill I'm dying on? Is it worth it?

What I learned from my sil death is that family is always worth it. Family time is of utmost importance. You never know when it could the end. When the stakes change forever.

Just.like.that.

As I celebrating Thanksgiving this year, I am focusing on what I am thankful for. God has blessed me with so many tangible blessings. And I really enjoy remembering just what those are.

But, I am also focusing on who I am thankful for. My Lord, my husband, my friends, my family, my mentors. People who have brought joy to my life. People who have invested in me. People who are attached by blood and guts. I am thankful for each of you.

And, now I'm crying. Happy tears.

Is what you are sacrificing actually worth the sacrifice?