WARNING: This may push some buttons, but hopefully it will open more eyes.

This year I have become really good friends with some of the International students that are a part of an exchange program at Mercer. However, I have especially become good friends with a guy from Germany named Jan. Because Jan and I were friends and he had never been apart of an American Thanksgiving, I asked him to join my family for our holiday festivities.

Everything was great. Jan got to meet some of my boys back home and he met my family. He enjoyed turkey, turnips, chicken and dumplings, squash casserole, and carrot cake. His favorites were stuffing (dressing) and green bean casserole. We played games with my family, he met my nephew, and we hung out at home, talking about life.

After a short rest and some video games, I set out to show Jan another interesting Thanksgiving tradition: Black Friday shopping.

We trekked to different stores, saw some mile long lines and some great deals, and then we went to get some more food because, well, we are college guys and we are always hungry.

But on our ride to the late-night restaurant, Jan asked an interesting question:

How can people act so greedy and crazy about these deals so soon after a day about being thankful for what you have?

I didn't have an answer, so I just sat and thought.

I thought about why this happens.

Yes, even I think about staying out late in a line for a good deal, but why do I do this on my day of thanks?

Mom and I were watching the news Friday night, and the first story described a shooting that led to a death in a store parking lot, a fight that broke out over a parking spot, and more fights that broke out over products and dollar signs. All of this after our day of thanks.

So back to Jan's question:

Why do we act like this after we spend an entire day reflecting on why we are thankful?

We say, "Remember the reason for the season," but I would argue that if the reason for the season was getting a great deal on a big screen, then half of us are following this typical saying.

But if we truly "remember the reason," we would remember to be thankful for our family, what we have, and our life. Our life can be taken by anything, even someone who is upset they did not get the deal or parking spot they wanted. Quite frankly, the hourglass of our life is not controlled by us, and we do not know when God will call us home. Yet, materialistic treasures seem to blind us of what matters.

So I urge you to cherish life, and truly remember the reason for what you are celebrating. Nothing is wrong with getting a good deal, but do not let the good deals and long lines devalue what the day represents.

Teach our youth why we give gifts for Christmas and focus less on receiving gifts.

Worry less about what item you are bringing to the barbecue and instead, thank those who fought for our independence as a nation.

Shift your eyes away from the coupons and ads, and shift them up to the one who gives you reasons to be thankful.

Sometimes life calls for a wake-up call. Thank you, Jan, for mine. Now, "remember the reason for the season," and maybe you can use this as your wake-up call.

Also, this quote by Stephen R. Covey is something I have been trying to practice lately, and perhaps you can find some benefit in it:

"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply."

Happy Thanksgiving.