Trunk or Treat Thoughts

Like most Christans, I am glad to see Halloween is over. We recognize it as a dark and troubling day on the calendar. There is no denying how popular it has become. Not only are candy sales huge but so are the morbid house decorations and graphic costumes that adults, children, and even pets wear. For over 20 years, our church has sought to redeem Halloween to some extent by offering trunk or treat to children and their families. A gospel tract or literature is always included. Since it began, many other organizations have done it as well and recently we have seen our numbers drop. It is still a fun event with which to be involved. Below are some observations after helping to hand out candy at the local school one night and our church the next.

Everyone likes free things. Our church had over 20 stations where people could get a treat of some sort. It was not unusual for children to try to get more than their one piece at each station. Some parents would come along holding an infant and a bag so that they could get some candy on behalf of the baby. I will admit I also like free stuff. If I’m in a context where I can get something for free it’s a thrilling thing to do. It may not even be something I need but there’s something about not having to pay for a trinket or T-shirt that has a good feeling about it. Perhaps for me it’s a reminder of God’s grace. No one deserves salvation but it is a gift of God.

One troubling thing I see every year is the graphic, scary, bloody costumes that even toddlers and young children wear. It seems to me that our culture is violent and bloody enough in real life that we shouldn’t focus on movies and TV shows that glamorize gore. Yet it seems like people of all ages like to celebrate the dark side of life and of humanity. Scripture warns us that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. It would be nice if even non-Christian parents would avoid the troubling types of costumes. One mother from our church mentioned her young daughter being in the Halloween parade and having to dress in a terrible costume along with the other girls from her dance group. Why not keep things fun and light when we dress up or events like this? There are lots of creative, wholesome possibilities.

Another thing that was evident is something we know daily. Self-control is difficult. By the time the children got to our trunk, they had received most of their treats already. I saw several cute little children who couldn’t take it any longer. They were eating something that they had just received a few minutes earlier. The parents could only laugh because we can all relate to the difficult challenge of waiting to indulge. I remember when I was a child and brought home a bag full of candy. Of course, my mom would try to limit us, but it was not easy to spread out all those treats over the course of the next week or so. We live in an instant society and sometimes we just want it now. It is no wonder that the fruit of the spirit includes self-control.

Ministry can happen at any age if we have the right mindset. I was delighted to see several ladies from our church who are probably in their late 70s dress up like cartoon characters to be part of a team that handed out candy. They seem to be having a great time. Just a few feet away from me I also witnessed a toddler and a kindergartner excited to hand out items. While the older girl knew she could have been in line and receiving like the other kids, she experienced the reality that it is more blessed to give than to receive. You may think you’re too old to serve in your church or community but there’s always something that you could do.

On many occasions on both nights, I heard parents say to their children, “What do you tell them”? “Thank you.” I preferred it when the children thanked me without being prompted. Like parents demanding that their children apologize, it just didn’t seem hearfelt when they had to be told to express gratitude. I’m not suggesting that parents don’t promote an attitude of gratitude. We probably all need reminders at times to be grateful. When we express thanksgiving, it should be from the heart. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

I noticed how some adults who came through line were dressed and groomed. One thing I am grateful for is financial blessings. While it may be easy to be jealous of well-paid athletes and movie stars, when I recognize the financial status of most people in my community, it makes me realize how fortunate I’ve been and how God has cared for my wife and me. Having two sons in college certainly adds to financial stress and burdens but compared to many people, I have much to be grateful for. I was also reminded that there are many opportunities to be generous because the needs are great.

At times my wife could not recognize her students because of their masks. There were some that were very elaborate and completely concealed the faces. Some were cute and some were scary. But they all concealed the real person behind the mask. It was a reminder to me to guard myself against hypocrisy. That word relates to putting on a mask. It can be easy to pretend I am a certain way and to fool people. God wants us to be vulnerable, real, and have integrity.

Though I hate to see the beautiful fall foliage come to an end, I am grateful that Halloween is over. I don’t like the changing of the weather that November brings. I am, however, grateful that soon we will be focused more on giving thanks and celebrating the birth of our savior. That is a real treat!