A collective groan.
In a half baby voice, Ashley responds to all of her younger siblings, "Its okay guys, it's gonna be too scary for you. We don't believe that stuff."
Why do all of the preschool channels feel the need to show every Halloween special known to man, every year? Does Nick Jr. really need to have "Spooky word of the day"? Words like "scales" and "couldron". Are you kidding me? Ashley and Emily don't really watch TV (just movies that we own) but I shudder to think about what might be on the channels that are supposedly age-appropriate for them.
A couple nights ago, Ashley came into my bedroom sweating and shaking, wrapped up in her blanket. In a panicked whisper she said, "Mom I just had a scary dream, can I sleep with you?!" Though it wasn't a question and she didn't wait for a response as she climbed into my bed.
Half asleep, I rolled over to make room for my lanky 9 year old who's wildly curly hair spoke volumes about the kind of sleep she'd had so far.
The next morning as we made breakfast, she told me about her nightmare. I won't go into the details here, but it was seriously scary stuff. As a mom, my mind started weighing how much of her dream was from something scary she saw on TV, how much of it was spiritual warfare, and how much of it was the pizza she ate before bed.
After all the kids were fed, I grabbed a cup of coffee and headed for my office. I sat down, looked out my window and across the culdesac is some sort of creepy creature holding an ax surrounded by orange pumpkin lights. Behind it a demon-looking-thing with glowing eyes (which isn't that different from what Ashley described in her dream) is sitting in a rocking chair. Awesome. *eyeroll*
I. Can't. STAND. Halloween.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
My youth group when I lived in Maryland used to show those video's every year that show what halloween is really about. And since then, I just can't stomach it. And it doesn't help that it gets bigger and bigger every year.
You can't go to the grocery store, Target, or even Sweet Cici's without being confronted with something half-dead in a maze of cobwebs and spiders.
I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Psalm 23:4
Now, I love fall. I love pumpkins and indian corn and autumn leaves. Tennessee hills covered in red, orange and yellow. Chili with cornbread. Apple cider and pumpkin spice lattes. All my little girls in knit tights and boots, and Micah in his gray corduroys. Sunday afternoon football games. Field trips to Gentry's farm and the Rippavilla Corn Maze. I love harvest---everything.
But I don't have even a shred of like for halloween.
Hear me out, I do not judge those who get into it. I have friends who totally decorate, celebrate and have absolutely no problem with halloween. I love them dearly and don't think twice about it, I really don't.
But I just can't do it anymore.
Halloween makes my spirit grieve and I've got to follow my convictions.
God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7
I'm completely and utterly passing on halloween this year. I should say, "again this year" because we didn't do anything for halloween last year either.
This year, a couple of my girlfriends and I are getting our families together for our 2nd annual "Faith over Fear" night. Basically a celebration of God's autumn handiwork mixed with lots of scriptures on faith and fear. We'll have a treasure hunt, make some s'mores, maybe a make-shift tractor/hay ride, share some chili and homemade goodies. And, no, the kids won't be dressing up.
The treasure hunt was a scavenger-hunt style, with scriptures on faith and fear, leading them around the property til they got to a big treasure chest with candy for all the children.
The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the LORD is his treasure. Isaiah 33:5-6
And like last year, Jake will do the "Pumpkin Patch Parable" for all the kids. Where he takes a big pumpkin and tells them that God chose each one of them. He picked us out and dusted us off. God opens up our hearts and cleans out all of the yucky stuff inside. He puts a smile on our faces. And then He fills us with His light. And we shine with His love, for all the world to see.
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
The kids loved it last year and are already asking if we can do it again.
I can't wait myself. :)
But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" Mark 4:40
"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12b
I fully agree with you. Luckily, Halloween really isn't big here. Ten years ago, many shopowners tried to import the American tradition, but without much success. Everything autumn themed is great though! I love autumn :-)
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