H*ween

This "holiday" is steeped in scariness, for me. Not in the typical "boo" and "spooky" type fear but more of the, Satan's birthday, going to hell type. Growing up we weren't allowed to participate in the night, nor recognize it in anyway. No special outing, no candy, no nothing. It wasn't spoken of. Like some topics, it was kind of a given that Halloween meant hell, just like sex meant pregnancy, drugs meant suicide, smurfs meant devil worship. Now that I have kids, I've had to really think about why some christians opt out. why did my family opt out?

Like all things of faith, its best if you work it out and not just accept traditions as truth. Hiding in a dark house on halloween doesn't make sense to me now. Of all nights to meet your community, halloween is the one. Of all the times to actually connect and make friends with the people God has placed around you, Halloween would be the night. To purposely close yourself out and snuff out your light, frankly doesn't make sense to me or explain to me the gospel that I've come to know.

That being said, I'm working against a long tradition of fear around this holiday and to say I'm "participating" is very weak. To be honest, it still scares me. Saying Halloween, or hearing my kid say it doesn't actually give me much peace. Its very difficult to align how I think and how I feel. Some people may think its no big deal, but for me, there's always been a proverbial line in the sand and to walk across it opens up much more than just Halloween (for me).

 I'm sure you've heard, "What Would Jesus Do" and that in and of itself is a heresy to me because I feel the minute you think you've figured out God and know exactly what He would do in any situation is the moment you have created your own version of Him, one that you can control and bend to your ideas. Although, the bible is pretty clear on many issues but others, not so much. That is why I'm still figuring it out. To be honest, Halloween for me is one of them. I don't think God would be for or against a holiday because He is impartial, but is also highly jealous of our hearts. He loves truth and loves us. Perhaps He allows me apprehension to protect my spirit. For others, He knows they're not as sensitive. Anyway, so continually working it out.