This week, we will be bombarded with catalogues, emails, social media urging us to take advantage of the annual Black Friday sales. Black Friday was originally so called by US police to refer to the crowds and chaos of the first business day after Thanksgiving. Over time, helped by online shopping, Black Friday has become a global phenomenon. It’s hard not to be sucked into the feeling that if I don’t buy now, I will be missing out on a bargain. I might even convince myself that I am being a good steward by ‘saving’ money. Here’s a prayer to help us refocus on what is of infinite value without having to fear ever missing out…

Be ever at work in our minds and hearts O Lord,

freeing us from a service to things by daily increasing our devotion to you.

Liberate us now and always to live as ever wiser and more compassionate administrators of the trust and resources you have placed in our temporary keeping.

May our purchases, and our decisions not to purchase,

each be made in the same context of delighting in your blessings, of stewarding such gifts in the bright hope of one day hearing you pronounce over our lives that most coveted verdict:

Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things;

I will put you in charge of many things.

Come and share your master’s happiness!

Let the hope of that good end, O Lord, shape our vision and our choices as we shop today. Amen.

From Every Moment Holy Vol 1., by Douglas McKelvey

Love to you all, Miranda.

Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash