One component that has been added to our turkey, dressing, and gravy Thanksgiving traditions is an NFL football game. After the large noon meal, many gather around their televisions to let their stomachs begin the work of digesting all that their taste buds enjoyed. May the best team win and may the Tums be nearby!
As I read about a recent Tennessee Titans game, I paused to catch my breath as I learned that a thirty-seven year old fan fell through an awning at the football stadium and was critically injured. Eyewitnesses told police that he lost his balance and fell over the railing as he reached for a free t-shirt that had been thrown to fans during half-time. At last report his condition was listed as critical but stable so hopefully he will enjoy a full recovery and be home for the next game. The Titans need his enthusiasm. 
I’m sure many readers have been to sporting events where free fan paraphernalia is distributed to the crowd via canons or the strong arms of cheerleaders. It’s not uncommon for overenthusiastic supporters to try to outdo each other in an effort to obtain the favors. Sadly, even fights sometimes erupt as they squabble over who is the rightful recipient of a $2.00 object.
Such reactions over trivial items is most amusing. Even expensive t-shirts cost far less than an emergency room visit, much less a stay in intensive care. Other miniature footballs, hats, or what have you are likewise miniscule in value and yet by the enthusiasm displayed, you would think they were crown jewels. There’s something about freebies that brings out the beasts in us.
When one considers all that the fan already had, this incident becomes even more laughable. He was enjoying a seat on the lower level near the team tunnel. Such seats are not cheap. In addition, since it was a pretty cool day, he likely was already well-clothed with a coat and hat to boot. Most fans were. He did not need another layer for warmth. Furthermore, he probably had a whole dresser of t-shirts at home and would have to search for room to store the new one once he had it. I know I would.
This occurrence reminded me, however, of my own typical human behavior. How often do we injure ourselves and others emotionally, relationally, or spiritually reaching for insignificant goals? Worldly fame, financial success, or popularity all appear before us but just beyond our reach. We grossly overestimate the worth of these items and expend ourselves to obtain them at all costs.
We strain and sacrifice and overextend to try to acquire them only to fail or fall miserably to the concrete below. We just can’t seem to resist the urge to grasp at fleeting worthless attractions only to regret it later. Even when we succeed in obtaining our desires, we often realize they weren’t worth the great energies we mustered and expended to get them.
Perhaps saddest of all is that we often already have all that we need for personal contentment and fail to realize and appreciate it. Instead of being thankful for what we possess, we constantly focus on what we don’t or can’t acquire and in doing so become miserable, selfish, hateful, and angry just because we can’t have one more free t-shirt.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving again next week, let’s take a careful inventory of the blessings God has already granted us and worship Him for them. Let’s enjoy what we have and remind each other of the foolishness of reaching for things that not only fail to satisfy, but that often cause pain in their procurement process. And most importantly, let’s recognize Who is the source of every good and perfect gift. He is a generous and gracious God.
Happy Thanksgiving! George
(feature pic credit)