Store windows are overflowing with every dark image possible . . . posters and advertisements beckoning evil bombard bulletin boards . . . children on the street talk with excitement that almost surpasses the anticipation of Christmas . . . and my heart is so heavy.
God, how do I share your truth without others feeling judged? How do I express the joy and freedom of walking away from all that a celebration of evil includes? Lord, give me the words...
From that deep longing, I share with you today -- I don't believe our country has never been so inundated with evil as it is in this generation. Halloween has become a "holiday" recognized by most anyone we meet and yet few seem to stop and ask themselves, "WHY? Why on earth would I want to expose my children to something that represents all the evil that the enemy of our souls has for us?"
A common response to that question is, "Oh, our family doesn't celebrate the evil part, we just celebrate the good." I have to ask, though, what good is there in evil? The Word is very clear on what God's best is for us -- we're instructed in I Thessalonians 5:22, "Reject every kind of evil," and then in III John 1:11 we're told, "Do not imitate what is evil but what is good."
"But, Kristen, you don't know what the pressure is like; everyone else let's their kids participate." I do know a bit of what the pressure can be like and I certainly know what it's like to go against the norm . . . but better than all that, I know the liberty of walking away from all of it!
As a family, it took us a long time to discover what October 31st should look like for our family...first, we tried just handing treats out and being a blessing to our neighbours, but then kids dressed up as ghouls, witches and creatures showed up at our door and we were exposing our then little ones to what we'd been attempting to avoid. Next, we tried going out to do events as a family, at churches or a bowling alley, but as hard as we tried, everything still had tastes of evil in them.
Eventually our family found what we love, and now continue to do -- we turn out all the lights in and on our house, sneak downstairs to our rec room; our arms loaded with pizza, pop and tons of candy (cause that's what kids really want anyway), a new-to-us family game and something fun to watch together, and WE HAVE A BLAST! We call it our "Annual Family Night" and our kids look forward to it for weeks prior. In fact, I've discovered that our house being dark has become a silent testimony to our friends; it opens the door to share why we don't participate.
Now some of you may have no interest in what you've just read and feel totally comfortable with the ways your family is choosing to participate in local "celebrations" in your community, and that's fine -- this is between your family and God, ultimately I have nothing to do with it. In fact, I guarentee you that if we meet somewhere and your child tells me they are going trick-or-treating dressed up as a ________, I will think nothing less of you. I don't want your family to become like our family, I only desire that all of our families can experience whatever God has for each of us in His best as we shine as lights for Him in a dark world.
What I share here is intended for the many moms I hear sharing, "I don't like all this Halloween stuff that is being forced on my kids, but we don't have a choice."
You DO have a choice -- You are the mom (or dad) God has given to direct your children in the way they should go, and that means ONLY YOU and your spouse are responsible to God for what you choose; not neighbours, not teachers, not even other family members.
What if Daniel had stopped praying when threatened with the lion's den? He would have never experienced God's miraculous rescue, nor the many other things God did in his life.
What if Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had bowed to the giant statue when threatened with a fiery furnace? They would never have experienced God's perfect escape plan, nor have been promoted to their high positions and witnessed to thousands.
None of us know if there will be benefit beyond the four walls of our homes, but that doesn't matter, because almost EVERYTHING we are called to be faithful with lives within those four walls! Let God speak to your heart. Examine whether there are areas you can step out from and look for new memories to embrace and new ways to do the old, you may be amazed.
"As obedient children, do not
conform to the evil desires
you had when you lived in ignorance.
But just as He who called you is holy,
so be holy in all you do."
I Peter 1:14 & 15
