Black Friday is an informal name for the Friday following Thanksgiving Day in the United States when many stores offer highly promoted sales. Shoppers determined to be first in line when the doors open so they can race to the promised item on sale…may come days early and camp near the door.
“WE’VE BEEN HERE FOR TWO DAYS,” said three young men in front of Best Buy. They had one more night to wait before the Black Friday deals began and were casually tossing a ball back and forth to pass the time.
One look at the scene of many tents and many people gathered in front of this store, and around the corner gripped my heart. “Just look at all these people!” And it quickly hit me…. “What an opportunity!”
My husband and I had been driving around looking with wonder at the swarms of people sacrificing their comfort, their time, their other responsibilities, to sit, to just wait, with hope of gaining just one more cherished possession.
They had their tents supplied with heaters, blankets, food, and more. Children were mingled with the adults.
As Bob drove I said, “Honey, could you let me out of the car over where those first tents begin..?” And I was on my way with a hand full of Christmas Million Dollar Tracts.
I reached out to person after person with my offer: “Here’s a Christmas million for you!” “I have something better than you can get in that store. Here take this Christmas Million.” “Would you like a Christmas Million?”
People loved them. They grabbed for them and showed them around. I was thoroughly enjoying the thrill and joy of giving the message of salvation to this crowd. No one rejected them. I could see people everywhere reading them. They had little else to do and were glad to receive them. Days later I still felt excited that I dared to step out of my car and boldly approach that crowd. It really wasn’t hard. I just had to decide to do it and take that first step. You could do the same!
Would the heart of Jesus weep over them. No doubt most were lost souls… desperately needing the Gospel. We don’t always see immediate results. We just obey Mark 16:15- “Go ye” -and look forward to the fulfillment of Psalm 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
There is a place in the harvest for you, my friend.
Maybe something like this could be a good plan for more of us next Black Friday.