Happy Halloween! I have to admit that I am rather fond of this holiday despite the witches, dark magic and malicious pranks that can spoil the innocent fun of the season. As in years past, tonight’s festivities will bring out the best in our community. With cool temperatures and no rain is sight, neighbors will pour out into the streets offering warm greetings and broad smiles as small children pumped full of sugar and excitement run quickly from door to door collecting their treasure.
Our kids have been planning for tonight’s activities for weeks…maybe months! Costumes have been chosen with care and strategic plans have been made for collecting candy. After all, there are only a limited number of treat seeking hours and many houses to reach. Such a complex endeavor can only be tackled with hours of planning and coordinated precision. (So, why can’t they display this level of effort and resourcefulness to their schoolwork?)
While the older kids chose their costume with only limited input from us (such as restricting risqué or grotesque outfits!), the little ones remain at our…okay, my…mercy. Dressing the kids up in various costumes is one of my favorite parts of Halloween! This year, the baby is dressed up as the cutest little duckling you ever saw! She is still a bit unsteady on her feet, which provides the perfect little waddle. Plus the duck tail softens those occasional falls. My toddler became my little knight in shining armor. Of course, it’s the sword that won him over. For some reason a scene from Never Been Kissed jumps to mind. When asks what character he is dressed as, he admits that he doesn’t know but proudly announces that he gets to carry a sword.
As we prepared for the night’s festivities, a recent chat with my mother-in-law rested pleasantly at the front of my mind. She had shared a lesson that her church had distributed about Halloween. I loved the symbols that the unknown author used and modified it a bit to fit better with the lesson I wanted to share with my children. I hope you will enjoy it as well.
God’s Jack-o-Lantern
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed and bitterness. Then He carves you a new smiling face and places His light inside to shine for all the world to see.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, bawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
Be safe and have a fabulous Halloween!
Where are the pictures? I want to see the duckling!!! =)
Posted by: Kimberly Rae | 11/02/2011 at 07:14 AM