Submitted by Pastor David Wynn, Tarkio Christian Church

“Each has his own special gift from God.” I Corinthians 7:7

I like Halloween. I love the sweetness of the little children coming to the door. They are all so excited. My grandchildren always come and ask me to go out with them. It’s always a treat to participate. Dressing up and pretending to be something wonderful is filled with childlike wonder. I used to like to do it. I was Superman one year, a cowboy another. It is a big holiday because it brings out the playfulness in all of us – and that is good. We take ourselves way too seriously, especially as adults. We forget the biblical teaching about becoming like a little child again. Many adults will be going to Halloween parties and dressing up themselves and this is great. I just hope that everyone remembers to leave someone at home, for the little ones that will come to the door in great anticipation.

Many of the candies that you buy today are what the manufacturer calls fun size. This is certainly fun for the manufacturer because the candy has been reduced microscopically to a fraction of a bite. I try to buy full size candy for the kids that come by my door. You give a full size candy bar to a little boy or girl and their eyes become as big as their costume. I told my neighbors that I’m going to drop by and trick-or-treat, and I don’t want any of that fun size candy. I expect a big box of Whitman’s samplers.

Some of my happiest childhood memories are around this special night, dressing up to become something you’re not, to pretend perhaps to be something you have always wanted to be. Participating in the group activity of going door-to-door with your friends and being praised for your uniqueness and rewarded with candy. Then later in the evening getting to eat all the candy that you wanted. I must admit that I got a little bit sick. But as an adult I look back on these times with a smile. The 1950s was an innocent time to grow up. Those growing up today who will knock on your door to say “trick or treat” will most likely look back at the year 2019 as an innocent time to grow up.

What joy we bring to a little person’s life when we drop that candy bar in the trick-or-treat bag. It is a night dedicated to overflowing prosperity. Everywhere we go we are loved and given gifts. It is a lot like being a child of God today. Everywhere you go, God is amazed by you and if you listen hard enough you will hear God complimenting you and loving you. And if you’re aware enough you will realize that God is giving you a gift every time you knock on the Divine door. How reassuring to know that God never tricks us – we do not have a tricky God, or a moody God, or a God to be feared.

God loves us with a pure unconditional love. It is such a great love that it is hard for the human mind to comprehend it. God is desiring to give, and has treats ready beyond the wildest expectations of our childlike minds.

When you knock, God always answers, and rewards your specialness. If we are willing today to go to the door in prayer . . . knock, and it will be opened. Ask and you will receive. Whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have already received it and it will be yours. It is God’s main love in life to love us and to help us to get what we desire.

Happy Halloween dear friend. I pray that you and your loved ones have a safe and happy journey, aware that you are in the presence of God.