While supplies last

Well, it has started … or it will shortly … that mad dash towards Christmas. If you are near an outlet mall you have already been notified that all the stores will be opening at Midnight following Thanksgiving. I’m not sure if the females in my family will venture forth at the ungodly hour, but they did last year. They had a great time as the socialized with all the other crazy people who had to catch the bargains. Their biggest discovery or find last year was the Starbucks can actually serve up a bad cup of holiday coffee. After a couple of sips they passed on the coffee to one of their fellow crazy midnight shoppers. If last years experience will hold true this year there will be so many people went at Midnight that the parking lot will be filled long before the mall opens and the traffic will be backed up for over 3 miles on the highway. In other areas the stores opened at 4, 5 and 6am. People will be lined up – some even camped out overnight – as they have in years past in order to be first in line so that they could grab the “bargains” being offered. And, the mad dash will be on ... maybe this is why it is called Black Friday … you come away with more black and blue bruises than you do with any real bargains.

I’m always a little leery at that little disclaimer at the bottom of all the “bargain” ads. It is only three words, but they can strike fear in the hearts of all serious bargain hunters. Just 3 little words, but oh the lasting effects that they can instill in the hearts of the most hardy bargain hunters. WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! I’m wondering just how many did the store REALLY have available – two? – three? If you ever went hunting for the “bargains,” but didn’t what to either get up so early nor fight the maddening crowds you were going to be out of luck. WHILE SUPPLIES LAST actually means that very few will walk away with the “cherished” product … especially you!

The “supply” of God’s grace and love is never ending – regardless of when someone decides that it is time for them to accept the offer. Oh, that there would be a mad dash to accept it! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people would “camp out” at the church’s front door waiting for that magical moment when they are opened so they could rush in to get some of God’s abundant supply? Or, be willing to sit in their cars upwards to 3 miles waiting for a precious parking spot in the parking lot of the church?

Yes, the mad dash will start shortly, if it hasn’t already, but are we all missing the point?

Dear Lord, help us not to miss your supply of grace and love while fighting for the world’s meaningless and limited supply of mundane, perishable commodities. Amen.

Quote for today: Our mammas did not hesitate to bargain. Questioning a price was standard procedure. "How much are these cucumbers?" "Two for five." The mamma pushed one aside. "And how much is this one?" "Three cents." "Okay. I'll take the other one." ~Sam Levenson