by Joanie Butman
Halloween has always been a favorite holiday. It’s the one day I can take a break from being me and adopt another identity while overindulging in copious amounts of candy. What’s not to like? My temporary identities have ranged from sumo wrestler to nun. Casper remains one of my top picks, because there was no way anyone could identify who was behind the mask, or so I assumed. I thought I was being so clever until the first child walked by and said, “Hi Mrs. Butman!”
I remember driving home from a Halloween party at my son’s elementary school where I was the only mom who arrived in costume every year. He said, “Mom, I’ve got a great idea for your costume for next year. Why don’t you dress up as a mom like everyone else?” Shocked, I replied, “That’s so boring! And you should know by now I don’t do like everyone else.” He stopped inviting me. Spoilsport!
Seriously, as a child, when I learned all I had to do was ring someone’s bell and hold out my bag for candy, it seemed too good to be true – especially for someone who wasn’t ordinarily permitted to have sweets. Nothing tastes as good as forbidden fruit – at least momentarily. Without fail though, I still end Halloween with a belly ache from overindulging.
Though the term trick or treat implies that you could receive either, I’ve yet to meet anyone who gives tricks rather than treats – except Satan. The treat he promised Eve was the biggest trick of all. He still uses the same strategy of tempting us with lies, false promises and momentary satisfaction in lieu of eternal salvation. His ‘tricks’ always lead to decay with more serious consequences than just a bellyache or cavities.
When you watch children trick or treat, it’s easy to imagine why Christ wants us to be like them. They eagerly run to the door confident that when they hold out their bag, they will be given a treat. They don’t know what it is, but they are certain it will be good.
In much the same way, Christ wants us to choose to run to His door every day with the same anticipation, knowing that God’s blessings will be better than anything we can ask or imagine. There are some that view Christ with suspicion, thinking that His message is too good to be true. I used to be one of them. When I first became a Christian, I approached God with trepidation thinking if He saw behind my mask, I wouldn’t get a treat. I always thought it comical that Adam and Eve believed they could hide from God until I realized I spent most of my life doing exactly the same thing. As our Creator, He sees beyond our fig leaves, masks, disguises, pride, brokenness. He knows us better than we know ourselves and loves us warts and all. Is there any better treat?
Twenty years later my life is overflowing with His blessings. Christ’s love and grace are something you can never overindulge in. “His mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23). I don’t have to do anything other than choose to ring His bell and open my heart to receive His blessings.