April 25, 2024
‘Twas the month before Christmas, when all through the land
Every creature was shopping in need of a plan.
Christmas fashion they sported with sweaters cashmere,
In hopes that the in-crowd would offer good cheer.
They went to the upscale Avalon.
They tried the Collection and all went along
To the Mall of Georgia and the one at North Point
Hoping their shopping would not disappoint.
They entered the store with positions to offer.
President, boss or corporate officer –
Longing to take a step up that ladder,
Scratching and clawing what would it matter?
He eyed the position – the one in his dream.
She spotted the office – the one that did gleam.
They looked at each other and both recognized,
The two of them chasing the same costly prize.
"I’m more deserving," he said with a quirk.
She looked at him and laughed with a smirk.
Both of them after the position at the top,
Leaving things precious lost in the swap.
Shop till you drop and eventually see,
Nothing in this world really does please.
Shop till you drop and pick yourself up.
And drink from the bottomless empty cup.
While others with children all snug in their beds,
And visions of bargains danced in their heads.
So mamma and purse with a long Christmas list,
And I tagged along ‘cause I could not resist.
The lure for more stuff sparked our shopping gene.
So we headed to outlets to spend more green.
We plotted our course through store after store,
Shopping bags stuffed, yes stuffed even more.
We brought it all home, wrapped it up with a bow,
And packed all our closets ‘til they overflowed.
Then we noticed the stuff from Christmases previous
Had failed to deliver the promise to please us.
Shop till you drop and eventually see,
Nothing in this world really does please.
Shop till you drop and pick yourself up,
And drink from the bottomless empty cup.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed for adventures that matter.
When positions and stuff no longer fulfill,
I decided to chase for all that would thrill.
I bought me a ticket and flew to new places,
Took all my friends, covered all my bases.
Standing in front of the sights with much glee,
A phone in my hand to take lots of selfies.
Every journey I booked did promise a roar,
Expeditions, excursions, voyages and more.
But soon I discovered a lesson so right.
Nothing I tried bought lasting delight.
Shop till you drop and eventually see,
Nothing in this world really does please.
Shop till you drop and pick yourself up,
And drink from the bottomless empty cup.
Now Dasher! Now, Dancer! Then Emma and Ava,
Or should I call William and Mason and Dana?
I’ll wrap myself up in family and friends.
I’ll find all my happiness through all of them.
But one did desert me and one did say
Many mean things to my maddening dismay.
And I was not perfect, I drove some away,
Leaving me empty on this very sad day.
Relationships left me hurting and sad.
How could these people make me so mad?
We need each other and others need me.
But something is missing, oh what is the key?
Shop till you drop and eventually see,
Nothing in this world really does please.
Shop till you drop and pick yourself up,
And drink from the bottomless empty cup.
Please drop your bags and your shopping cart.
You won’t find what’s missing at the mall or Walmart.
The Creator designed us so perfectly good.
But we in our stubbornness became deadwood.
The love of the Savior persistently chases
Those who would call on His name through the ages.
The day of salvation for you is today,
If you’ll humbly drop to your knees and pray.
So shop till you drop and eventually see,
Nothing in this world really does please.
Yes, shop till you drop and on bended knee,
Look at the Savior, He’s waiting for thee.
