Make Me Smile Monday

I just got back from dropping the kids off at school. Although this morning they looked a lot like twin Hannah Montana's (my two girls), a hippy with brightly coloured hair and Iron Man (the children I babysit). My little pirate and I are here and are just about to go drop off some owl cupcakes at the school for a Halloween bakesale.

And I'm filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. One I just can't shake (nor do I want to). It's hard to believe that just 8 years ago I was praying asking God whether or not we should let our firstborn go trick or treating when she was older.

I grew up being taught about the origins of Halloween and going to "Hallelujah Harvest" nights at our church. It was fun, but there was always a part of me that felt isolated from all of the children I went to school with who I knew were going trick or treating with their friends.

Unfortunately, the message that it left me with was that Halloween was to be feared. The costumes, the decorations, even the day itself. Almost as though any sort of involvement would lead ultimately to being seperated from God. A very scary thought indeed! I found myself  feeling conflicted as a young mom when Jason's expectation for Halloween was different than mine. So while S was still quite young I determined to take the next couple of years to (prayerfully) consider what I should do.

Amazingly, the more I prayed about it the deeper my conviction became that we should enjoy the day. To break it down real simple:

1) The Bible tells us nothing can seperate us from God's love.
2) IF I believed the day itself is evil, then I should have nothing to do with it, not even within the walls of the church. I believe God made the world, everything in it including every day of the year. So how could any day be evil? It belongs to God just like any other!
3) I have a responsibility to not withdraw in fear from being with the people and community surrounding me so that I can grow and learn how to love with Christ's love.
4) If there's nothing wrong with costumes, candy and neighbours any other day of the year why would there be on this day?
5) If all of the above things are true I need to treat it that way. I could teach my children to celebrate friends, fun, neighbours and community on Halloween. And that we  don't have to be afraid: of scary costumes, scary decorations or even belief systems that are different than ours. And that we can remain true to who we are in Christ every day of the year, no exceptions! Ah...what freeedom! :)

So, this morning as I head over to drop off these cupcakes it's with a heart honestly that feels like it's ready to burst. Sure that might sound pretty cheesy but I'm OK with that...and I couldn't be more sincere! I'm so grateful for a loving father who is helping me see Him in His loving mercy more clearly every day. That when He said He came to give life and life more abundantly - He really meant it!

(If you didn't get a chance to read this article I shared the other day on Facebook, you might want to check it out. Steve Bell does a much better job explaining all of this than I ever could. ;) He even shares how St.Patrick was connected to Halloween in a positive way adding much greater depth to how we as Christians can enjoy Halloween. I hope you find it as encouraging as I did!)
http://stevebell.com/2009/10/keeping-christ-in-halloween/