Tomorrow is that dreaded day of the year for us. HALLOWEEN. Im not dreading it for reasons you might think... but for reasons that have never quite been solidified. Im sure as a christian mommy, I am not the only one that has really struggled with this holiday. Please tell me I am not the only one!!!
For years we have gone back and forth on what we should do. We hated Halloween and everything it stands for but in a childs eye its just a day to get candy.
I have heard the arguments before. Pagan this and Devil that. I have argued the points on the Christmas tree and where that originated. Some years I have let the kids dress up and some years I have not.
Once our church started to have a Halloween alternative, the pressure was off! No costumes, pure christian fun. It gave the kids something to do and parents a small reprieve from the sad eyes looking out the windows.
Once we moved and changed churches, they too had a Halloween alternative but with costumes. Oh what to do. There I was, going back and forth, having to change what we have grown used to for so many years.
After much thinking this year, ( and some solid words from Hubby) our decision was finalized. Having older children helped the process along.
I explained to our kids that we will go to church and enjoy all the fun and excitement they will have for us but we will not be dressing up.
"Why why why why why..." echoed in our home.
I explained to them that people who dress up as demons and ghosts and goblins, witches, devils and dead people don't realize the real evil that exists in todays world. I explained how I didn't think glorifying someone who will be spending eternity in hell is fun. They all stayed quiet. They know how important salvation is. We have talked about what happens to people who die and are not saved.
A few days later, Emma had a guest speaker in youth group. It was a fun night, another church came, pizza and soda was served after and Emma got to mingle with some kids from camp that she has not seen since the summer. On the way home , her little voice echoed from the back of the van...
"Mom, can I talk to you about something later? They talked about things in youth that scared me..."
"ok, no problem. Lets just get everyone in bed first..."
My curiosity was exploding! I could not throw those littles under their covers fast enough.
Once the house was settled, hubby and I gave her our full attention.
" The youth pastor was telling us about a girl who was demon possessed...."
She began to tell the story and ask how it happened. Can it happen? To anyone? How real is it? Is the devil around all the time? What are demons? How many are they? Can they ever repent and become christians? Do they realize what hell is??
The questions kept flowing and I tried to answer as best as I could. Her eyes were wide as I tried to be as honest as I could. She was old enough to know most things about the spiritual world.
As our conversation ended I re-iterated how she is protected because she is a child of God. She has His covering as promised in the bible but to keep it, she has to remain close to Him.
As I walked her toward the stairs and off to bed I asked her this simple question...
"Em, now do you kinda understand why Mommy and Daddy don't think Halloween is a great holiday to celebrate? Even though it appears to be fun and great?
"Yes, I get it now..."
We kissed and hugged and off to bed she went.
That was an amazing moment. A brief understanding into each others world. She got it! She understood.
I plan on researching more about Halloween and why its not comparable to the Christmas holiday. An argument thats brought up so many times. For me, even if the Christmas tree came from pagan origin, We still worship the KING OF KINGS ON HIS BIRTHDAY. Who are people glorifying on Halloween? Certainly not Christ.
For me that is the only reason I need.
Thats exactly what I have been doing all day today. In true GapGirl style, I have 10 projects going at once. 
