TRICK-OR-TREAT

It's the day after Halloween, so I figure this is safe for the next 364 days.  Something to think about at least.

I'm not sure I totally understand the big pushback in certain Christian quarters against the cultural tradition of Halloween.  I mean, I get it - kind of - but if it's for the sake of protecting our children from the demonic forces of evil on October 31st, then I don't really get it.

In all the years our kids went door-to-door in Cinderella and Crayola costumes gathering individually wrapped pieces of candy in orange plastic pumpkin containers, I never once noticed their personalities or characters slide downhill days or weeks after.  They didn't become bad seeds or progressively develop deep issues that needed deliverance or intervention years later.

They walked around the neighborhood with their little friends - rang doorbells - yelled 'Trick or Treat' - held out their little plastic pumpkins - then repeated that exercise at the next 50 houses in the subdivision.  Then we all went home and they dumped their prizes on to their little girly beds and I secretly plucked out all the Tootsie Rolls for myself when they weren't looking.

I don't know how big (or small) your God is, but honestly, maybe the worst thing about going door-to-door collecting gummy bears, suckers, candy corn and mini Three Musketeers bars (which I also stole from my kids' buckets) is managing the sugar intake while the pile of candy decreases over the next few weeks.

'We should redeem as much as we can.'

As believers in Christ there are plenty of things we need to reject:  Selfishness, bullying, abuse, violence, porn, racism, pride, divorce ... but there are just as many things we can redeem.  In fact, we should redeem as much as we can, not rail against everything we can.

I live in a house on a street where few (actually zero) trick-or-treaters walk these days, but I remember those nights as amazing family moments and time with neighborhood friends.  Actually, it was the one night of the year that we could guarantee interaction with the block.

This might have been a better post 24 hours earlier, but I'm a coward.  So it's OK if you choose not to participate in the door-to-door Halloween evening festivities.  There's no condemnation there.  It's the choice you've made for your family.  I understand.

Just understand back.

And be blessed.