Homemaker Chronicles

Me:  Alright, alright, you can dress up and play Halloween this year.

Kids: Really?  Yessss!

Me:  But we’re all going to be Native American Indians…and no arguing.

Simultaneously-

Titan:  But I want to be a ninja.

Caleb:  Why can’t I be Venom?

Regan:  Sweet!  Can I wear feathers and a dress?

Adia:  I’m cute

Me:  I respect all your good ideas and they are GOOD ideas, but we are going to be a tribe of Native Americans.  Afterall, that’s what we’re studying in History and we already have some things made.

Simultaneously:  Yes ma’am.

THE NEXT WEEK.

Regan:  Why don’t we celebrate Halloween like everyone else?  I mean, we aren’t even allowed to draw Jack-0-lanterns or bats on our sacks for AWANA.  Why?  Is it bad to draw those things and dress up?

Todd:  No guys, it’s not bad to dress up or draw those things; the things in and of themselves are not bad.  The problem with Halloween is that it’s based on pagan holidays and rituals.  They were originally meant for purposes that don’t bring glory to God.

Caleb:  Well, we don’t want to participate in something against God.

Me:  That’s right buddy we don’t.  The thing is, that what was originally meant for evil can be redeemed by God for good.  It’s really a heart issue.  If, in your heart, you are desiring to do something evil by dressing up for Halloween then it’s wrong, but if, in your heart, you have faith that God has granted you freedom from doing evil, and if it doesn’t go against what the Bible calls sin, then you are good to go.

Todd:  Yep.

Regan:  So, what does the Bible say about that then?

Me:  The Bible doesn’t specifically say anything about whether or not to celebrate Halloween, but according to the Bible “everything is clean”.  Where is that verse Todd?

Todd:  Romans 14 something…just read the whole chapter.

Me:  Well, it also says this (looking at my Bible), “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.  The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord.”  Romans 14:5-6  Your dad is so smart guys- he knows everything!

Todd:  rolls his eyes

Me:  Be fully convinced that you are honoring the Lord.  But also guys, when I keep reading I see that we shouldn’t pass judgment on those that do or do not participate in Halloween because Paul is writing here, “…nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean”.  Hmm. that’s strange what do you think that means?

Caleb:  If you think it isn’t good then it isn’t good for you to do.

Me:  Right Caleb.  But what about how other people think?  What should you do about that?

Simultaneously:  I don’t know…

Todd:  You got this babe, I’ll be right back.

Me:  Well, it tells us right here in Romans 14:20 that “it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.”

Titan:  What does eating have to do with this.

Me:  Good question Titan.  Some of the verses I skipped talked about how it is not wrong to eat things that are unclean or how it is not wrong esteem one day better than others but that not everyone agrees with that.  According to 14:20 we shouldn’t do something that will cause someone else to judge us or that will ruin the work that God has done.

Titan:  Sounds good.

Regan:  So we go along with their rules because we don’t want to cause them to stumble?

Me:  Sort of.  In verse 22 it says,” The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God.”  We can go along with their rules because it’s not hurting us in any way.  Besides, we have chosen to participate in their party and if they don’t want certain pictures on your candy bag then we will follow that guideline.

Caleb:  Do they not have faith since they don’t dress up for Halloween?

Me:  Oh, that’s a good question because here is a great verse that can answer that, Caleb.  “Whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”  Romans 14:23  Remember that we aren’t just talking about eating, but “whatever” is done in faith.  That includes participating in Halloween.

Does everyone understand?

Simultaneously:  Yes ma’am!

***

Sometimes we call Salem “Sam” for short.  I guess it’s not really a shortened version of Salem, but if you listen to little kids say it, Salem comes out sounding like “Sam”.  One morning I decided to make chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast and Titan, my breakfast sidekick, was helping.  I asked him to get out the semi-sweet chocolate chips.  He kind of chuckled and went on trying to find them.

Later that day I heard him talking to Salem saying, “Hey there little Sam-I-sweet“.  I sat in and listened, incognito-like.  He went on, “You’re my little Sam-I-sweet chocolate chip aren’t you buddy?”.

Yes…yes, he is our Sam-I-sweet chocolate chip.  I guess we have a new nickname!!

***

Friday’s Homemaker Moments is “Is spanking effective”.  I want to know what your, the mom’s and dad’s of the world, what your opinion is.  Don’t be afraid to share how you really feel…on Friday!

~Angie

Homemaker Chronicles