Today is a BIG DEAL in the lives of many a young one. Halloween brings the annual Trick or Treat ritual of going from house to house looking for "Treats" CANDY. Truthfully this is not my favorite holiday of the year---although I do enjoy seeing all the inventive costumes that knock at my door. My daughter loves to laugh about some of the things I dressed her up to be---the sheep is her favorite one---she almost had a heat stroke. HEY---NO PAIN-NO GAIN! She was SO cute! I see entire families out together dressed in one theme---my Mother would NEVER DARE exhibit such "juvenile behavior". She was not a lot of fun-LOL!
We have hordes of Trick or Treaters and someone described the night as three waves to me recently. I immediately thought of Pearl Harbor and the waves of bombers who attacked. It can begin to feel like that with those who celebrate by knocking at my door.
The first wave is those who are really young and have a bedtime. They begin before dark --around 5 PM. HEY----I TOTALLY GET THIS---I was a FIRM BELIEVER in bedtime for my own children. These little ones come in strollers, on foot-in wagons--or in Momma's arms. Do they really give those under 1 this candy or do mom and dad eat it? This is the cutest part of the night!
The second wave are the elementary school children and many times their parents who are also in costume. This wave begins around 7:00 PM. MOST of the time--the adults do not ask for candy. I have heard tales of parents in the name of safety going through the night's haul before allowing any consumption. Some of these parents have even admitted they set aside their favorite candy bars for personal consumption. SHAME! Many times the adults have gotten together and enjoyed a Halloween libation before setting off to make the rounds and are enjoying the night more than the children it seems. Another of my favorite parts of the night--good for many laughs!
The final wave of the night is the teenagers who consider this a night of free candy and sometimes mischief. They do not start until 9:00. NOW---in my personal opinion---this is ridiculous. Can't they find a parent to host a party for them--that is perfectly acceptable. BUT to be out asking for candy--sometimes without even bothering to be in costume---well my old grouchy self is not on board. MANY times by 9:00 the candy is long gone, the light is off and I do not answer the door. NOW--the chance I am taking is the mischief that may then ensue.
There have been years I have not been at home---there have been years I chose to not participate---and there have been years I handed out candy. The night only works if some answer their door when there is a knock. If the porch light is off---if the lights are all off---if no one is at home---or if they are refusing to answer the door---it is a lost cause. The night is a bust---unless someone answers the door.
I KNOW you see where I am going. One of my favorite scriptures is~
"Ask, and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives;
the one who seeks finds;
and the one who knocks,
the door will be opened."
Matthew 7:7-8
Nothing more needs to be said---what a wonderful reassurance!
If Jesus stands at the door and knocks, I pray we all open that door for Him and invite Him in to stay. What a great analogy you've given us here, Lulu. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteIt makes me so aware of how many times I did not answer the door because I didn’t want to be bothered 😣
DeleteBlessings, Martha!