BE NOT AFRAID!

The weather is beginning to chill just enough for it to be socially acceptable for boots and cardigans. Oh my, how the beautifully different shaded leaves are beginning to fall. Those happy tingles rush through your body when you hear that oh so satisfying crunch of a leaf you just murdered under foot. There are black cats and Jack-O-Lanterns on every corner. Pumpkin spice wafts through the air and dentists begin to hand out coupons to every school in a hundred mile radius. By now you have figured out that I'm talking about Halloween, a spooky holiday that comes with many tricks and treats. My son absolutely loves this one day of year! It's by far his favorite holiday. That might sound strange and raise some eyebrows since we are a devote Christian family and I'm an Ordained Minister, but I believe something only has as much meaning and power as you give it. Of course I do lay down some strong boundaries, my son isn't allowed to pretend to cast spells, dress up as demons, torment other children and well..you get the gist. What he is allowed to do is pig out on candy, eat cupcakes for breakfast, jump out and scare me till I pee my pants or scream so loud the neighbors call the cops for a suspected murder scene... and of course dress up as someone he enjoys. Someone that to him has nothing bad going on in their life that they can't handle! His costumes come with nothing but fun, courage and confidence that lasts a lifetime or until mom makes him take it off to go in the wash! If only my amazing son would show that kind of confidence in his own skin the other 364 days of the year. To him, that day means no worries! Means no stress, nothing but fun and laughter. It's his version of a vacation! When is the last time you saw a Power Ranger crying over long division? A Snow Commander pleading with his mom to not eat his veggies? Captain America having to read for at least 30 minutes before going outside to play in the mud? I rest my case... to my son Halloween is so wonderful because it is a day to rest your mind by breaking all the rules and living your best life! No fear! No worries! No cares in the world! Sprinkle some of that candy on that Count Chocula cereal, for tomorrow mom is going to make him floss after every meal and practically use mouth wash with his cheerios instead of milk. I am easily scared, honk your horn as I walk by, scream for no reason or say Chick-fil-a is out of buffalo sauce and watch me melt with fear! As Halloween gets closer my son's anxiety and stress disappear...mine on the other hand is intense. I'm always on high alert, waiting for a jump scare, wondering if that's a fake spider or real one or if that man with a mask and chainsaw is really a threat or not. As the world gets darker with more hate and despair spreading like wildfire I tend to overthink things causing me a great deal of unnecessary fear and anxiety. I could write it off as “oh, that's just what moms do” but that isn't what we do. That isn't okay. God never intended for us to be fearful! Fear is not of God and should not have a hold over us. Trick or Treating with my son has me reciting Deuteronomy 1:29 (Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them.”) as I throw Holy Water on every boogie man and ghost in sight on our two block walk. Not really, but in my mind that's what's happening! Yet in person I'm checking every direction for a quick and safe exit and quickly judging every person my son gets candy from. Not my proudest moment as a mom or servant of God but this world has me being overly dramatic and protective. The bible has stated 365 times to not be afraid, one for every day of the year. As a mom and wife I spend most of my days repeating myself. I have had to learn to make my thoughts, wants and demands short, simple and memorable. Anything after the 4th word gets lost in translation. I must repeat myself over and over and over until the thought has penetrated into their beautiful boy brains. God doesn't waste his breath with fluff filler words to make his story sound more dramatic or to appease you; everything He says has a powerful purpose. He could have told you once to not be afraid, but He knows us all to well. He knows this world. He knew we would need constant reminders. Our beautiful brains would need the constant hammering reminder to knock it off, give it to God and NOT BE AFRAID. While everyone is having fun spooking others, dressing up and putting themselves into sugar comas I am drawing closer to the Lord and I urge you to do the same. Know that while this can be a fun holiday it can also serve as an in your face reminder to (“ Be not afraid”). That with the Lord on your side you have nothing to fear. 1 John 4:18 states that (Perfect love casts out all fear.) Jesus is the perfect love! We have nothing to fear when He is in our lives. We will NEVER have to face the battles alone. Deuteronomy 31:6 states that ( He will never leave you or forsake you.) John 16:33 serves as a reminder that no matter what you face (The battle has already been won.) Mark 16:18 and Psalm 91:7 comforts the mind knowing that God will protect you! (You shall not be harmed) and (Thousands will perish, but you will not be touched.) I highly recommend turning on Francesca Battistelli's song “The Breakup Song.” also known as the ”Fear You Don't Own Me” song. Turn it up loud, dance around and let the song dig deep into your soul until you are no longer scared and that anxiety has fled with a quickness. Sing with confidence that your God can take any battle you think is a mountain and make it a mole hill! Sing until you have an overwhelming peace, dance until you have joy and laughter again! Take joy that the Lord loves us so much that He was willing to not only repeat Himself once, twice, thrice or even 212 times, but 365 times! One for you to start each morning with. Whatever it is that sends chills up your spines, keeps you up at night and causes you to unnecessarily stress, lay it down at the Lord's feet today and enjoy the day, laugh and smile like never before. Take a deep breathe for the battle is not yours and needs to be let go. Do not let another day pass missing the blessings and joy that each individual day holds. Have no fear and have a very happy yet spooky and safe Halloween!