I love Fall..don’t you? However, October brings about a very controversial topic for Christians..Halloween-the dreaded Christian Holiday! I have been a Christian for 27 years now and every year I am confronted with the same ol dilemma…to open my door to little trick or treaters or keep my lights off and block off my stairs! Or just plain leave!
I have a confession to make..up until about 4 years ago we would do the latter…turn the lights off or leave! We would take our kids and go to a Harvest Party or turn out the lights and just go into the back room and play games. Many of you will say “Hooray” and do the same thing.. I have a secret to tell you.. the Lord has changed our hearts toward this dark holiday!
I’m not going to go into all of the details of how exactly our hearts changed…it was a process for sure but I just want to share in what ways my heart has changed…so here goes:
- It is the perfect opportunity to reach out in love to the kids in our neighborhoods. Just because kids come to our door with cute little costumes, does not mean they come from cute little families. Families are a mess these days…we need to reach out.
Matthew 10:42 “ And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
- God has given us a glimpse of His heart for the lost and a glimpse into the BIGGER picture
1 Cor. 9:22 “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”
- God has called us to let our lights shine before man not hide it away.
Luke 8:16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts in under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”
- God has called us NOT to FEAR the unlovely and lost..I could write a book about this one
- We are also not to fear the enemy of our souls! He should fear the ones that carry God’s resurrection POWER!
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (sound thinking)”
You know for years I lived being so afraid that I or my children would get a little “dirty” in this world. What a joke right? Considering where I have come from. Yet God peeled the scales off my eyes over some different circumstances and as I stood before Him my heart was laid bare and not hidden to Him…the One who sees everything. He showed me HIS heart for these people and I was crushed. I begged Him for His heart…and He gave it to me.
So I say.. so what if kids go trick or treating. So what if they come to my door in icky costumes. I just smile, give candy and say “Jesus loves you!” Because just maybe they have never heard anyone tell them that before.
I wonder which way of life has had more impact on the kingdom of God..
I thought you might like to know… my kids have been trick or treating now for these 4 years..there hearts belong to and glorify God..they are happy because they have LOADS of candy. They are not tainted by the underlying evil it represents…because they have been taught..and they still love to hand out candy.
Oh and as for my older kids that never trick or treated…. Well all that sheltering did nothing to deter them. They take our Grandchildren trick or treating and love it..oh and eat their candy too! It’s too bad I wasn’t more concerned for their hearts back then rather than being so afraid of how it would look or what power the enemy might have over us if we participated in trick or treating.
I realize that many of you will disagree with me..that’s totally ok..obviously I’ve been there..but really I’m just saying..how important is it? Is it really a heart issue or a fear issue? Just sayin!
You might also be interested in reading Loving the Neighborhood Kids
Wonderful post! As a child, I remember the few students whose parents would not let them participate in Halloween parties/festivities that occured during school and to talk to them now – they allow their children to participate mainly because of many of the reasons you listed above. We are to be in this world but not of this world – by separating ourselves we are not fully equipping our children on how to handle perfect ministring situations (in my opinion).
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Hi Michelle! Oh boy I couldn’t agree with you more! It’s funny that you would have that very scripture..I deleted it just before I posted just in case it was misunderstood. Love it that you would mention it..maybe I’m suppose to put it back in! LOL My poor big kids..I always tell them I’ll pay for there counseling to tease them..thankfully none of them are at all bitter at me..which is not the case with many others
So I am thankful for sure.. Thank you for stopping by! Blessings!
Hi Shari, I cant tell you how timely this is. I was just thinking of this yesterday. See, we have new neighbors who put up halloween decorations. I immediately thought, oh i hate this holiday! and Oh here goes another night of keeping the lights off, hiding out in the other room, etc. Then all of a sudden, a thought popped into my head. Their kids are so cute… should i open my doors to just them? Oh you could have just about heard out loud the Lord’s “Hmmmm, hello Cindy… have i not taught you to love EVERYONE?!?!” Then this morning, here is your confirmation! I have to say, God is gonna have to keep working on my heart. And 10/31 IS a day the Lord has made…
Thanks for the thought provoking post Shari.
Hello my sweet friend..well I’m just glad that God and I are on the same page LOL I love you!!
Hey Shari!
I can first had attest to the fact that there are definitely bad things that go hand in hand with Halloween ( after being attacked outside of my old building the morning after Halloween by a kid that was still messed up from the night before). That being said, the children’s version of Halloween is fantastic! I love that kids get excited to go trick or treating and have fun. I think the dark factor just depends on the person: some people will use the holiday as an excuse to party to excess while others have a much better interpretation of the holiday!
Cortney – The Mommyhood Project recently posted..Two weeks old and the two loves of my life
Oh I’m so sorry about that Cortney! That is scary and crazy..yes Halloween definately has a dark side to it for sure! And oh yes any excuse to party! Thanks for stopping by! Blessings to your new little family
We don’t celebrate or go all out for Halloween. Last year I started buying candies to give for trick or treating but no kids came by. Will do the same this year, even though we just moved to a new neighborhood but just in case. I remembered a friend once told me that she would share the story of Jesus casting out demons to her kids on Halloween, explaining that with the name of the Lord, we have the power to rebuke and not to live in fear. I thought that is good way to teach and instill our young not to live in fear, all kinds of fear. At the same time highlighting and focusing the work of Jesus on this dark festival.
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That’s fantastic Fauzi! Yes that fear is no good and when we see the work and power of the Lord we really need to walk in that! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment
I’m afraid I found you in my spam folder 
So sorry for taking so long to reply. 
Blesings!
Shari, I used to be that way too,then God gave me his heart on this. That is such a problem christians hide or regect the hoilday instead of using it to shine the love of God to people. I frimly belive God wants us to use it to love people. I have been raising this point this year as well to folks in my town. Well said girl, well said!
Hi Susie! That is a great confirmation to me
Thanks for all of your support and kindness! Blessings to you and you fam!
Thanks for the great post! I think holidays are whatever you make it. We allow pumpkins and cute decorations, nothing scary. We participate in our church’s trunk or treating where the kids dress up in their favorite character costume (princess/fairy/ninja) and eat hot dogs and do cake walks and bounce houses, anyways you get the idea. All in all I think Halloween is a fun family orientated holiday, I’m sorry you have been scared of it for so long.
I know Chrystina..it’s silly isn’t it? I think it’s fear that keeps alot of Christians from enjoying all of the blessings that the Lord has for them. I’m so happy that you have not had to deal with this. Thanks so much for stopping by! Blessings to you!
Go there! Stopping over from Saturday Sharefest. You’ve got an interesting perspective. I definitely think there’s no problem with Halloween for the little ones, but I never cared for the older kids who were really past due for staying home. Hope you have a great weekend!
Leslie recently posted..{Mama Monday} Gettin’ Corny
Nice post. I’ve never minded Halloween, but I must admit more and more the costumes and decorations are horrifying. It’s become way too macabre for me.
Donna DM Yates recently posted..My Novel Always is E-Published
We have faced the same dilemma at our house. In the end, like you we choose to open our doors and love the neighborhood children.
This Busy Life recently posted..Keeping Your Kids Safe on Halloween
Good for you Barb..always learning and growing aren’t we
Thanks for stopping by and blessings!