Joy to the Office (Chapter 1: Excerpt)
Black Friday shopping was a time-honored tradition in Joy Bell’s family. Every year, their alarm clock would sound off at the crack of dawn, literally and figuratively. As Christmas carols filled the air, her mother, Dawn Bell, would run around the house barking orders like a drill sergeant.
Her father, Albert Bell, or Al as her mother called him, sat at the kitchen table. He’d sip his coffee while he watched what he believed to be the best show of the Christmas season.
“Hurry girls! I just received an alert on my Black Friday app! One hundred and fifty people are already in line!” Her panicked voice cut through the Christmas carols like a knife.
“What happened to long lines being a thing of the past on Black Friday?” Joy’s younger sister, Patience asked, as she strolled into the kitchen, and poured herself a cup of coffee.
She was named after their great-grandmother; however, their father jokingly said the name Patience was selected as a constant reminder for her to exercise patience with her boisterous high maintenance mother and older sister.
“Patience, I don’t know what happened. According to an article I read, people were planning to stay home and shop online.”
Joy ran into the kitchen. “We have to go. They’re only giving away two hundred gift cards this year. I’m on a budget. If I don’t get a card, I don’t think I’ll be able to purchase a nice gift for the Christmas toy drive at church.” Joy said as she tossed a few candy canes and granola bars in her bag. She was on a mission.
Reflection
Galatians 5: 22-23 ESV states, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Joy was determined to get that gift card, so she cut in line and received the last one. She did this without any regard to the other customers who actually made it to the store on time! As we shop for our loved ones during this Christmas season, we should let Holy Spirit guide us. If Joy Bell had included the Spirit, she would not have cut in line or snatched a discounted toy out of another customer’s hand. Goodness and kindness would have directed her to the back of the line. Forbearance or patience would have helped her stand in the long line with her mom and sister. In the midst of the chaos, joy and peace would have given her the ability to be a blessing to others. Gentleness and self control would have allowed her to wait until the prospective buyers finished examining the items on the shelves before she swooped in and grabbed them. Faithfulness would have anchored her faith in our savior instead of Black Friday deals. Love would have compelled her to give cheerfully to the needy. Oh! I know this is a fiction book, but there’s still an opportunity for us to do a little soul searching. Think about it. Then, go to the Father and pray about it.
#Soul Searching with Our Father#
