Black Friday

I know that I should be posting something about how thankful I am for everything that God has given me but it’s Friday and I’ve been awake since 4:30 due to my ladies leaving the house in a rush to get some Christmas shopping done.  I tried but I just couldn’t go back to sleep.  Oddly enough, Josh slept right through the commotion and is still asleep at 7 a.m.  (a record for him I believe).

Black Friday is a day that as far as shopping goes, I avoid with a passion.  However, Robin and Katie love it and my attitude towards the day after Thanksgiving has changed somewhat because of my daughter.  You see, at Northway Church, we have for a few years now had a project that we call illuminate, “Light up a Child’s Christmas.”  It’s a great program where we buy gifts for children who otherwise wouldn’t have any presents at Christmastime.  Well, last year was the first time that Katie selected a child to sponsor on her own, buying gifts with her own money.  I didn’t think much of it but when Black Friday rolled around last year, Robin and Katie went shopping.  Robin told me later that morning that Katie had been amazing, not working mom over for items that she would want which is what I was expecting to hear.  No, Katie was shopping for the child that she was sponsoring.  She hadn’t said anything about it since the day she had picked out the stars representing the gifts that the child had asked for.  But on Black Friday, my little girl (not so little anymore) was searching out treasures for a different little girl.  The really cool thing about it was what Katie picked out.  If the request was for a Barbie doll, Katie got a deluxe Barbie doll with extra outfits and other goodies.  She didn’t skimp, she didn’t take short cuts, most of all, she didn’t take the cheapest way out.  Katie took the time to get the items that she would have wanted.  Her generosity and sincerity touched me that day in a way that I will not soon forget.  

So I guess this is a Thanksgiving post after all.  I’m thankful for my family.  My wife, my son and for a daughter who a year ago today showed me Christlike love for someone she had never and probably will never meet on this earth.  Way to go, Kate!  Can’t wait to see what you do this year!