Spaghetti and Eyeballs

Why not start a new family tradition this Halloween? Let me share with you this simple recipe that I recently read in my morning devotion. It starts by preparing spaghetti and meatballs. The next step is where this culinary specialty takes a twist. Open a can of sliced olives, (the green and red ones) and put an olive slice on each meatball. It is a spooky delight that your kids and grandkids will love.

Halloween Caution

One word of caution, if you make this meal, your family will expect you to do it every Halloween. There it is again, the word Halloween. I can hear the questions in your heads: Chuck, are you really suggesting that we celebrate Halloween? Let me say something controversial. There is nothing inherently evil about Halloween. Yes, I have listened as Christians have shared the supposed evil origins of the holiday. I also know that some of the costumes are more ghastly than wholesome, but I have found no evil intentions in the hearts of the young children that dress up on this night, nor any sinister motivation in the minds of their parents. Instead, the kids just want to dress up and get candy. It is also a time of community togetherness. 

I no longer take children door-to-door in my neighborhood. But, I did when my kids were young and I found it was a wonderful opportunity to get to know my neighbors. I could stop by their bonfires and ask how their elderly mother or father was fairing. I could praise the work of their recent landscape project. Yes, I could share the love of Jesus. 

Share God’s Love

Here’s an idea that we did one year. As we took the our kids around the neighborhood begging for candy, I would hand the adult at the door a gospel tract. They were usually surprised, but I never got one returned to me. The message doesn’t have to be professionally printed. It can be as simple as a slip of paper that says, “God loves you and so do I.” This activity allows us to do what we read earlier from John,  “Sanctify them by the truth.” 

As Christians, we need to intentionally find ways to engage with our world.  After all, we cannot love our neighbors if we don’t know them. I know that this is why Jesus ate with the sinners and tax collectors. He wanted to minister to those in need. Jesus said it is the sick that needs a physician, not those that are well. I think harvest parties are great, but meeting together in a private event doesn’t give us the same opportunity to minister, as does going door-to-door in our neighborhood. 

Showing Up For Duty

Again this year, I’ll show up for duty and go door-to-door with grandkids. I can’t believe that it is the seventh year for this tradition. I am happy that the grandkids don’t mind me coming along. It is really not that difficult of a task and it gives me the opportunity to meet their friends and neighbors. This year, like me, you have the opportunity to be the light of God’s love in a dark world. So, with gratitude in our hearts and a yearning for Jesus that goes beyond physical hunger, let us commit to seeking God on every holiday, including Halloween. 

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

John 17:17, NIV

Also, see Blessings Require Action.