On the inside….

Its been 9 years since we’ve celebrated Halloween.

In those 9 years…I haven’t really THOUGHT about it too much.

We basically have just SHUT OURSELVES out of it.

We turn off the lights and seclude ourselves inside..

leaving all that is “Halloween” on the outside.

It is a choice we have made after learning the TRUE meaning of halloween and the roots that are behind it.

It is a “controversial” choice…I know.

Believe me….If I had 1 piece of candy for every time someone said “Aww…you don't let your kids dress up???” or “Awwww….that is sad..No candy???”….I would have TONS of candy.

Please…don’t feel sorry for them-they are in no way DEPRIVED of candy…

AND- they have a TON of dress up clothes.

It’s not sad…at all.

BUT…

this year….things are different.

I work…in a bar.

And

I have to work ALL weekend on Halloween weekend.

Friday

Saturday

Sunday(AND I have to DRESS UP!!!!  Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!)

Which means…..

I am “OUT THERE” on Halloween.

For the first time in YEARS…I am out there.

And let me tell you……….It is CRAZY.

I mean seriously…I see ALOT of things at Tradewinds.

ALOT of CRAZY THINGS.

But

Halloween…make take the cake.

CRAZY.

But…

As I have thought about this more and more …

I think that God has put this in my life as a lesson.

as usual….

If you haven’t figured it out yet I am BROKEN and yucky on the inside sometimes….I need work.

Lots.

This forces me to FACE my battle HEAD ON.

It forces me to take a HARD look at myself and realize that sometimes the lesson is to LOOSEN UP.

To recognize these things for what they are….

To just let it go  and

DO WHAT I HAVE TO DO.

Sometimes it is just that simple…..

 

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Psalm 107
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south.

Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died.
“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. Let them praise the Lord for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in iron chains of misery. They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High. That is why he broke them with hard labor; they fell, and no one was there to help them. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains.

Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
For he broke down their prison gates of bronze; he cut apart their bars of iron. Some were fools; they rebelled and suffered for their sins. They couldn’t stand the thought of food, and they were knocking on death’s door. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death.
Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.

The godly will see these things and be glad, while the wicked are struck silent. Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.