Over the years I’ve been accused of all kinds of things because of what I did and did not teach my children about “holidays.” Santa Claus didn’t fill the chimney; Jesus filled our home instead. I didn’t lie to them about where gifts came from; we gave thanks for the greatest Gift of all instead. My kids weren’t deceived into believing that a mysterious gift-giver could see if they were “naughty or nice” or that anybody other than Almighty God had control over the consequence for being “naughty.” There was no Easter Bunny mysteriously showing up with baskets of candy; we celebrated the resurrection of our Savior instead. And we definitely didn’t celebrate Halloween; we took a stand against excusing away a satanic holiday for the sake of costumes and candy instead. Were they oddballs? Not on your life! Were they deprived? Never! They learned to stand with Jesus Christ in all things, and they’re still standing strong today! The world might think that’s odd, but Christians sure shouldn’t.
My kids have incredible childhood memories, and they’d tell you they didn’t miss a thing. Our holidays didn’t lack for anything, and they’ve eaten enough treats to sink the Titanic. They LOVED our holidays, and they’re carrying on countless family traditions today. But most of all, they’re making sure to bring Jesus into WHO they are and EVERYTHING they do as they raise up the next godly generation…as it is written…as it should be.
I have plenty of regrets about little things I made a big deal about as I was raising my children, but refusing to whitewash our belief system in the name of fun isn’t one of them…EVEN THOUGH I’ve been accused of being uptight, a party pooper, and a parent who “denied” her children lots of “fun” because of it. It doesn’t matter what the world thinks of me – it only matters what God thinks of me, and in that area of my life, I KNOW He is pleased!
As this world gets darker and the spiritual war rages in the heavens, we (Christians) need to decide if we’ll stand FOR HIM in all things, or if we’ll continue to whitewash the truth for the sake of fun. Our kids won’t hear the truth in schools. They won’t (necessarily) hear the truth from their friends. Many of them won’t even hear the truth from their church leaders! They need to hear the truth from their parents…the ones who have been given the responsibility to RAISE UP a godly generation. If you want your kids to stand tall at such a time as this, it’s time to stop entertaining evil and take a stand for the only Hope we have. It’s time to walk the talk even if it hurts!
No doubt some of you have already decorated for Halloween, and you’re ready to entertain evil in just a few days, whether you accept that’s what you’re doing or not. Some of you might attempt to convince me that your role in these things is innocent…but it’s not me you need to convince. There’s not a doubt in my mind that if you were bold enough to approach the Throne of God to inquire about your participation in such things and how He feels about diluting the truth you share with your children all in the name of “innocent fun” – He’ll set you straight faster than you can say “Amen!”
In the meantime, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”
