Do we participate in the annual halloween festivities that our culture pushes? 

This is the age old question I believe all parents for generations have struggled with. Don’t you?

Regardless of how different things are today than they were when our parents were raising us, the reality is, this question still haunts parents today. I have often talked with other moms about the challenge we have as first generation parents who are not only trying to learn and model wise technology/social media habits ourselves, but we also have to parent to the struggles and temptations that those devices/tools CAN bring into the hearts of our children. Parenting is hard, Amen?! 

But this struggle is not a new one to parenting. Our culture has always had temptations, whether they look the same or not. I believe how we engage cultural holidays is one such issue for parents. But because it may not seem so “in your face” every day, and because we grew up ourselves celebrating many of these holidays without asking the hard questions like, “Am I really bringing Christ glory doing this?” We often don’t see them as the same kind of struggle. Conformity without pretense.

I know that one of the things I have struggled with as a mom, has been the ugly thought that I am bringing God shame by being looked at as an intolerant grouch just because we don’t trick or treat or participate in other “halloween” traditions. Giving children candy isn’t inherently bad {well a nutritionist might disagree}, but you get the point. So where is the line? And why can’t it be easy?

We need to support one another, recognizing that none of us have all the answers. I struggle as a writer, to write on parenting, simply because I am not done raising my kids. I don’t have the “proof in the pudding'” so to speak. But it occurred to me, that I will never be done. AND… any “success” others may say we have as a reflection of our parenting, is really truly not a reflection of us, but of Christ through us. There is nothing we can do to save our kids and insure our children will walk the way we want. But I can guarantee you one thing, if we do what the culture does, and expect what the culture expects, we will probably experience raising children that look like the culture does. And if we choose to stop listening to the lies out there about parenting, and stop caring what other people think and simply listen to the voice of God calling out to us, ready to guide us, we will not fail.

As many of you know from my writing, I have struggled with being a people pleaser my whole life. I don’t know how many of you can relate to this, but I have come to the conclusion that while much of caring about what others think is good {i.e.: putting others before yourself, being kind, considerate, etc}, there is an element to this that can lead to sin. In my own life, I can be so scared of offending someone that I don’t step out and speak up on issues that I am convicted about. This topic of Halloween is one of them.

So what I want to tell you, and hope you know while reading these posts linked below is this: I love you. I love you as brother and sister, who is on a similar journey to live in a way that brings honor and glory to our Father in Heaven. My hope and prayer is that by sharing my journey as a parent, you would be encouraged, but also challenged as you are on your journey. 

I know what you are thinking. “But you have written about this topic before.” Yes, that is true. The conviction, which I believe was from the Holy Spirit, was so strong, I couldn’t simply hold it in. Most of us parent, going about or days, without other people hearing what we are doing, what we are learning, etc. And that’s ok. I do that often. I spend most hours in my day simply being mom and everything that goes along with that. I am just like you. But sometimes, God places things on my heart that I know are for more than just me.

I know this is a long intro to give you quick links to these posts I wrote on Redeeming Halloween. But I want you to know where my heart is. It is important to me, that you know there is NO condemnation in Christ Jesus, and therefor I strive to have none in me. If you choose to participate in Halloween, that is your choice. But if by chance you struggle with this every October, like I did, like I do. If you are constantly tempted by the enemy to believe the lie that you are a bad parent, a grinch, or a party-pooper, than know that you are not alone.

So with October 31st approaching quickly… here are a few links and helpful tools for you to utilize if you so choose. You can read where our family has chosen to stand on the Oct. 31st Debate and come to your own conclusions.

Encouraging but Not Engaging Halloween
http://angietolpin.com/engaging-but-not-encouraging-halloween/

Pumpkin Gospel
http://angietolpin.com/redeeming-halloween-pumpkin-gospel/

Pumpkin Gospel PDF Printable
http://angietolpin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/PumpkinEvangelismPrintable.pdf

Redeeming Halloween | Free Candy Scripture Printables
http://angietolpin.com/redeeming-halloween-free-candy-scripture-printable/

Candy Scripture Printable PDF Link
http://angietolpin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/HalloweenCandyScriptures.pdf

“Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:11-13

If you are looking for a good resource, a book to read through with your husband, “Redeeming Halloween” just like “Redeeming the Season” is a great little book that was published by Focus on the Family about 11 years ago. I bought it when my oldest was 4 and it challenged our thinking in so many ways!

Finally, be encouraged brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ. That He might give you the wisdom and understanding of His word to guide you in your parenting decisions. May knowing Him be the legacy you focus on leaving in your family, not the traditions, not the holidays, not the activities. I pray that the Lord would lift you up. Bring your marriages into alignment as you have many difficult decisions to make as parents. And may you experience His grace when you screw up royally, because you will. May you families thrive, growing closer to one another as you grow closer to Christ, each of you. 

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