I Hate...

OK, I'm just going to come out and say it. I hate Halloween. And part of it, I'll admit, is laziness. When you have to come up with three costumes year after year, it can become exhausting, not to mention expensive. And I'm not the crafty type, ok. I wish I were, but God just did not gift me in this area. And most of the time I'm ok with that, except at times like this - Halloween.

But, really, the deeper part of me questions why we find scariness entertaining. I guess it's the adrenaline rush. When the panic subsides, you're left with a kind of euphoria, right? What is it, though? 'I'm so glad IT didn't get me!?'

For 11 months out of every year we shake our heads at those who commit heinous crimes against others. We carefully monitor the television when the news is on to make sure our little ones don't see the evil that really is out there. We mourn for those lost to violent crime and we demand justice of the offenders.

Then October comes. And all of a sudden murder, grusomeness, witchcraft and mayhem are fun! It's all harmless fun! Really? I guess for me it all comes down to that verse my sister set into motion in my life one day, '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.' Philippians 4:8 (emphasis added)

Call me a legalist if you want to, but very little about Halloween causes me to 'dwell on these things.' Even the costume parade at my daughters' school causes me to cringe. Right behind the fairy princess walks the kid in the black robe with the skull face carrying a sword (but, oh, you're not suppose to have pretend weapons at school. Well, it is Halloween). Or maybe it's the girl in the combat fatigues complete with bare midrift (ok, technically, there's a t-shirt there because of the dress code, but you get my point).

November just can't get here soon enough.

These Last Days

Ok - so the argument goes - but every generation since Jesus has thought they were in the last days. Maybe so, but didn't Jesus teach us to think that way? To expect His coming? That He would come quickly, in the twinkling of an eye?

Even if this generation is not witnessing THE last days, what would we do differently if we KNEW these were in fact the last days? Would I buy that latte or give the $5 bill to the homeless vet on the corner? Would I sign my Kindergartener up for basketball, or would I go buy $50 worth of food for a food pantry? Would I go buy pointless (and generally unneeded) Christmas gifts for my family both far and wide, or would I fund a pump for clean water in a small village in Africa, and let those relatives know that I did it in their name?

I've heard the exhortations to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and minister to the sick my whole life. Why now are they resonating so deeply, if these are in fact NOT the last days?

Coaching Mom

I have three precious girls who all love to play sports. We started with soccer at 4 years old for each one and the older two have progressively picked up basketball and volleyball. It's hard to balance three girls and multiple sports. But this is what they love, so this is what we do.

About the time my baby became old enough for soccer, my middle girl became old enough for volleyball. The thought began to enter my head, "Maybe I could coach her..." and the rest is history.

I do believe God's hand was in this. And anyone who knows me from my childhood would tell you that God's grace is the only way I've become involved with sports! I wish I could say that coaching is my ministry, but more and more I'm believing it's God's ministry to me.

It's hard. And challenging. And frustrating. And rewarding. And fun. I'm learning a lot about myself - some things I would rather not know (or let others see). But I take comfort in the fact that God's doing His work in me. And maybe, just maybe, by God's grace, I am offering a little to those He's placed in my care...