(an excerpt from my life)

I sat on a church pew, studying all the families through a steady stream of tears. My two oldest sons were visiting their father. I was alone with their toddler-half-brother. His father and I hadn't married. So, when we separated, I became a single single mother.

I drove past a nursery on the way home from the service. Something told me to turn around and buy a tree. I have no business buying a real tree when I have a free one in storage. But I turned around and bought one anyway. The nursery workers tied it to the top of my truck. And away we went. Mom, at 5'2", Pint- sized Toddler, and Tree; seven feet. 

Somehow I managed to get the tree in the house by myself. I placed it in one of those stands that requires screws and a few choice swear words. Definitely a two-person job, yet something held that tree upright for me. There was no way I could hold the trunk steady and straight as I tightened the screws. But it never once leaned or toppled over. I had never given much thought to whether or not angels are real. But after that day, I was convinced they exist.

I strung lights and then together, we hung ornaments and watched silly Christmas cartoons until bedtime.

Every night there after, I sipped hot tea and gazed upon our beautiful tree. Hope came packaged in the smell of fresh pine and the soft glow of tiny lights . . .  a gift from God. I have very few childhood memories of the holidays. God, whom I did not trust at the time, blessed me with a sweet memory; safe to open year after year.

Merry Christmas, stubborn child of God.

If you have kiddos in public school, then you know that the week before Halloween is Red Ribbon Week: A national campaign to educate our children on the dangers of drug use that encourages them to pledge to be drug-free. 

Why not carry that over into Halloween in your own neighborhood? I know the word Halloween creates a visceral response in many Christians, but we've got to lighten up, and look for ways to make a difference in the world. And how are we going to do that if we don't get out there? Yes, yes, we can invite people we know to the Fall Festival hosted by our church, but what about the ones we don't know, who will come to our doors if only we'd turn the porch light on, smile as we greet them, and accept the fact that people who really do worship the devil do it year 'round. Besides, Fall Festivals are generally the night before Halloween, so you could participate in both. I don't have anything against Fall Festivals, I think they're wonderful. I also don't have anything against trick or treating on Halloween. I've never met a four-year-old wearing a pink Tutu who worships the devil. 

Here are a few themes that can make the night fun and more purposeful than avoiding your "heathen" neighbors (that's sarcastic wit in case you're just getting to know me).

Theme one: shoe polish a scripture on your front window: ""Behold, I give you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy." (Luke 10:19)

Now comes the fun part: decorate with lights and put rubber snakes and scorpions on the ground in front of your door. The kids get to walk over them. (Boys love this.)

Theme two: (I do this every year.) Carry over Red Ribbon Week: I hand out Red Ribbon ghost-stickers that say: Drugs are Scary! or Drugs will haunt you! Others say: Don't get caught in the web of lies. Pledge to be drug free!

From there, decorate with ghosts and/or spider webs. The kids have been learning about it all week, so they get a kick out of it. They must pledge to be drug free before they get their candy. It's fun! I get to wear my yellow Hugs Not Drugs T-shirt and embarrass my sons!

And lastly: What a wonderful opportunity to walk around your neighborhood and silently pray over EVERYONE you see.

How about you, any ideas? I'd love to hear them.
Have fun this weekend, be safe, and look for ways to be a light in a dark world!

*to order stickers, Google Red Ribbon week or contact your school counselor to see if she can donate any left over rolls of stickers