Today is officially Black Friday. My sister-in-law(s) and myself have been known in years past to brave the freezing weather, intolerable long lines and sometimes life threatening angry crowds in order to score a smokin’ deal on Black Friday. Ah, those were the days. I will say, those memories are good ones! I am sure the future holds for us Black Fridays like those I have experienced in the past but this year, we decided to skip the experience. Neither myself or my SIL saw anything that would entice us to be in line somewhere when really, we should be sleeping. Also, my SIL has a 5 month old baby which automatically makes Black Friday a no go. We did however leave at 1:00pm today with our oldest children so they could do their Christmas shopping. We were pleasantly surprised that all the crazy shoppers must have gone home to bed because none of the stores we visited were overly busy. We still managed to get a few Black Friday steals and all in all had a nice time enjoying each others company (even if my sweet baby nephew screamed every time I held him.) My feet are sore but it was well worth it!

My children slept over at their Aunt and Uncle’s house last night. My hubs had to leave for work at 6:30 this morning so I was alone for a few precious hours. I found myself prostrate in prayer, emptying my heart to God. I am so incapable of behaving sometimes (more like everyday). While praying and driving this morning, I was struck again by this concept of grace. Without it, I am lost, hopeless, doomed. Why do I find myself over and over again trying obey and do the right thing with my own strength?  I can promise you that I cannot. I fail daily.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13