Today
is the only day you can get away with eating candy corn for breakfast, lunch,
and dinner. Granted, it may hypothetically happen other days, but it always
seems to be frowned upon any other time. Case in point by looking at my desk while I type this blog.
I
have amazing memories of Halloween. I can still remember which houses on my
street gave the good candy or the penny, and which one put out a large tub to
bob for apples. The street always seemed to be filled with friends and fun. As
a child, Halloween was a win win situation. Dress up in your favorite costume
and perfectly good strangers welcomed you to their homes for candy. Score!
He
shouted from the sidewalk at me about the evil I was participating in and how the
church would be forever cursed because of its evil practices and allowing
pumpkins on our property. He was shouting for me to repent and be saved.
Needless to say, I was caught off guard. The Bible is clear that we should “always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15). There were no words coming to mind in that
moment though. In fact, I had never thought of Halloween in any other way other
than the innocent opportunity to dress up and get candy.
Now
years later, having kids of my own, I must admit….I STILL feel the same way. It
is a perfectly innocent opportunity to dress up and get candy. I have been
asked by some about my thoughts in regards to Halloween. I have also noticed an
increase in Facebook posts encouraging others to not participate in such an
evil holiday.
Like
anything and everything in life, all things can be taken too far and used for
evil. We choose to pick out costumes and get dressed up. We participate in trunk
or treats and school activities. And you better believe we will be trick or
treating in our neighborhood. I am choosing to teach my kids that just like
anything else, people can make it dark, scary, and anything but God glorifying.
We will do our best to be in the world but not of the world and shine the light
into the darkness. This is the night when we are welcomed to our neighbor’s
doors to boldly introduce ourselves when other days even eye contact is few and
far between. But more importantly, we
will do our best to not judge those that DO celebrate and those that DO NOT. We
all have a past and a reason as to why we do what we do. I will do my best to
welcome unconditionally those that arrive in princess costumes and those that
arrive in a (gulp) scary mask.
Every
year, I will remember that man from the pumpkin patch when we light our poor South
Florida rotting pumpkin and I will thank him for helping us to take a stand in our
faith and being prepared with a reason for our hope.
“You are the light of the world. A town
built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead
they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let
your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify
your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
My hope is that we are all
filled with the light of Christ ….and of course chocolate and candy corn!
LOVE THIS ONE! |
a little yummy fun. |
we couldn't slow the power ranger down long enough to get a picture. |
Kelly
xoxo