Rebekah's Insights

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One of the differences I have noticed here is the lack of emphasis on observing Hallowe’en. The stores are not all draped with webs, crawling with spiders, nor startling you with cackling soundtracks upon crossing the threshold. I have really found it a refreshing change! It has just been…harvest time. Trees are magnificent shades of russet, brown, and gold—as is the ground beneath, due to the furiously falling leaves. The air is crisp (yes, that’s the romanticized form of the words “BRRRR-COLD!”) and I have this recurring urge to cook/bake with apples, root vegetables, and squash. I have really enjoyed the season without Hallowe’en overshadowing everything.

Now, just to be clear, I do not CAMPAIGN against Hallowe’en, nor did I mind my children being invited to a costume party (to which they attended as THE most adorable little chicken and Tigger, incidentally.) I also don’t believe that most people I know are celebrating Satanic phenomena or anything—they just have fun with the costumes, candy, and attached childhood nostalgia. However, I just personally cannot feel peaceful about observing a sinister or spooky holiday. I am reminded of the eighth verse of the fourth chapter of the book of Philippians,

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

Now this verse is obviously about far, FAR more than whether or not to observe Hallowe’en—it’s about evaluating ALL of the things upon which I spend my time and energy. But on THIS day, THIS is what it brings to my mind and so… the children do not know about Hallowe’en. Liam knows nothing about Trick or Treating. He thinks he dressed up as Tigger because…well, he LIKES to act like Tigger most days anyway, so it’s fun to dress up as the bouncy fellow once in a while. Our candy consumption will be no more or less than usual. (Yay!) In most ways, October 31st is just another day for us. Most ways, except for one.

Though many Protestant Churches officially celebrated Reformation Day this past Sunday, it was actually on October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of Castle Church in Germany. So along with many others, I choose to remember THIS on this last day of October. In very simple terms I explained to the children what Martin Luther accomplished with that act—standing for his convictions that were based not upon traditions or popular thought, but on God’s inspired Word. His Word by which we are able to determine “whatever is true, whatever is honorable…”

2 Timothy 3:16, 17, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

As Liam colors a picture of Martin Luther, his understanding is very slight at this time, and Aine just wonders about how many little pieces of paper she can tear it into! :) But as they play, I PRAY! I pray that I will live before my children, teaching in word and deed the Truth of the same Holy Scripture that compelled Luther to write his Ninety-Five Theses hundreds of years ago. It is this same Holy Scripture that I return to day after day for reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. I pray they observe the joy that comes from salvation and abiding in Christ. I affirm, as did Luther, that this salvation is afforded to me through FAITH in Jesus’ atoning work on the cross, not through any good works that I manage to commit by His immeasurable grace (Ephesians 2:8,9.) This new life of abiding in Christ means worshiping God, praying to God, and reading God’s Word in personal relationship with God through CHRIST alone as my MEDIATOR (1 Timothy 2:5.) To God be the glory!

These are the things I purpose to remember and teach my children EVERYDAY—but I've taken time to refocus especially on this 31st day of October. I celebrate not only “Reformation Day,” but more importantly the daily reformation of my heart.

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”