There’s something genuine that shines through the upcoming holidays—whether it’s a time of personal thanksgiving or celebrating a long-awaited gift from God. In the flurry of preparations, sometimes the light is quenched by the press of Black Friday or Cyber Monday. But even behind these retail extravaganzas, real people are taking and filling orders, waiting on you at the cash register, and serving your food. Yes, businesspeople are hoping to bring their balance sheets into the black, but behind this activity are parents, spouses, children, and the genuine hope that shines through the activity.
So, as you press into the crowds this year, take a breath, . . . be present, . . . look into the eyes, . . . or hear the voices of those you encounter. These businesspeople are whole people who are also looking for the genuine that shines through the holidays. Realize that when you support local retailers, you are not only receiving what you want, but you are also intentionally giving to the lives and families of those shopkeepers. Wherever you go, . . . be there—for them.