Halloween... what kind of opportunity we make it.

I feel like I should be taking a nap or finishing up some homework rather than making a blog post, but I got inspired by the Halloween holiday :-) Personally, I just love the "feel" of the day on Halloween. The air always seems so crisp and even more fall-like, as if fall is just now starting. I love the jack-o-lanterns, seeing tiny little kids in their adorable costumes, and enjoying delicious food and sweets with friends and family. My family has always had a Halloween tradition, but I think I lost appreciation for it for a while. My mom always makes a meal that is sure to warm you up and make you cozy: a gigantic pot of chili, fresh baked cornbread, and hot apple cider. The rest of the night we flip from scary movie to movie (the old corny ones, of course!) and take turns answering the door to trick-or-treaters. Sometimes, if it's not too cold outside, we'll sit around our bonfire set up in front of the house and hand out candy that way. When I was in high school or the first year of college, this was the last thing I wanted to be doing. I wanted to be having fun, but what I didn't realize is that my family was already doing an awesome job and creating a fun environment for me to be in. They always encouraged me to bring friends over for chili or hot cider, but, of course, that's not what Halloween was about then. Now, there's honestly nothing more fun, enjoyable, and relaxing than the opportunity I have to be here in our home and welcoming in people for a cup of chili and a not-so-scary movie. The past couple of years, I've been able to spend quality time with my family, baking and serving, loving and sharing.

I guess that I started thinking about this because I feel like our society encourages this holiday to be fun in all of the wrong ways (at least the teen to young adult age group). Instead of looking for fun opportunities like helping at a harvest festival for young kids, spending time with family, or just enjoying a fall evening at home, it's become normal for it to be one of the craziest nights of the year. And it's sooo easy to get sucked into. Even I start wondering sometimes about the fun that others are having at such-and-such party down the street, but then I remember that those things aren't what give me joy in life. Jesus Christ gives me that joy, and only he can fill that. It makes me sad to think that so many of us can forget about him for one night just to indulge in our pleasures. What message are we sending through risque costumes and doing keg stands in a banana costume? Surely not one that reflects God and the better joy and love He offers. Personally, I want to lead by His message. I want people to know me by that and not by that inappropriate picture from some party someone tagged me in on Facebook. I think that Dave said it today at College Cafe, but why can't we make this "holiday" about Jesus? Don't let it be about us. And I don't think I do the best job at it. I know that I'm not even close to making this day about Him entirely, but when I think about the quality time I get to share with my family, friends, and neighbors, there are so many more opportunities to show that love than I ever could have realized.

I hope we can seek to move outside this over-sexualized and super indulgent day and step up into the leading examples God has called us to be to the world.