Promise of the day: "So let us stop judging one another. Instead, resolve to live in such a way as to never cause a brother to stumble and fall." R1413
It was last week that we received a message from Erin about Halloween being around the corner. I immediately thought, "I don't think this makes sense for us," and wondered whether or not I should post it on our blog.
I was surprised, because minutes after reading the message, my daughter told me that she needed a Halloween costume. 
My first reaction was to prepare a speech, or rather (!!) a sermon against her plans - thanks to my Beloved, and to Erin's message, I shut up and listened. My daughter is becoming an adult and I know that more than anything, I need to be an example for her! She explained to me that it was her friend's birthday and she asked the guests to "get into the spirit"!
I took the opportunity to tell my daughter about Erin's message that I had just read, and asked her if she remembered how I wouldn't let her and her brother attend that kind of party! She smiled and said, "Mommy, I know, you already taught me ! I'm going to be in costume, celebrating my friend's birthday!"
We talked and laughed about the possibilities of fantasies and I remembered what we learned here and thanked my Beloved for being able to live these moments differently, because naturally, I "wouldn't let it go" and would not be the woman with a gentle and quiet spirit that I so desire to be in all situations.
I believe this was confirmation of the publication of the revised message by Erin that may encourage other women, as it did for me and my daughter, so, dear brides, be encouraged!
Halloween is approaching quickly when many families may or may not be "Trick or Treating." Like many of you, before coming to RMI, our family went through so many spiritual struggles when having to deal with Halloween. Most Christian families simply follow what their local church shows them is the “right” way to deal with this pagan holiday. But it wasn’t until I read something I wrote years ago that I settled this in my own heart, which is now even more beneficial since I have married children and grandchildren.
It has also removed the judgmental spirit that none of us should have, and again, is now more needed so that no matter what each of my grown children decides for their family, whatever they “choose” to do with their own children (my grandchildren)— I am more than okay with it. What a sense of freedom and quietness this has brought to my soul while at the same time—not burdening these young families more than they already are.
When my children were very young, they participated in dressing up and “trick or treating” until we joined a church where they were “celebrating” the church’s Fall Festival or something else they chose to call it. Sometimes, they dressed up, but they were encouraged to wear nothing that would be scary for a costume.
Yet, much like Christmas and Santa Claus, when children are very young, they have no understanding of what’s going on, let alone its meaning. So, depending on what the Lord leads you to do with your own children, or what your EH "earthly husband" says he wants to do, or what your grown children want to do with their children, as Wise Women, we need to remain peaceful and agreeable. This peaceful and agreeable spirit is the way we always need to respond to our grown children, relatives, neighbors and coworkers—as well and, especially with the unbeliever or even other believers.
What is so lovely is the verse I used that helped set me free and the principle that can be used for many purposes. “I know and am convinced in the Lord that nothing is unclean in itself, but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” If you want to know the real truth about judging and things that we are worried are unclean or wrong, I’d urge you to read Romans 14:10-25 in the three Bible versions I have linked them to (the same versions I most often use to link my Living Lessons to).
As I’ve gotten older and more spiritually mature, by the grace of God, I've found that the more I can move my heart away from the "law" and focus more on His "grace" brought on by my relationship with Him as my Friend and Husband, the more I am unable and unwilling to judge others by laws or moral codes—so I am free to share HIS love with them instead, as I just spoke about in my Salvation Story about my brother who was dying.
It’s because of this principle and trusting His promises that I am witnessing so many people around me wanting to know and experience my Savior and my Hero. Thank you, my Precious Husband!
If you want to read more about how to navigate any upcoming holidays, we have a page dedicated to How to Wisely Navigate the Upcoming Holiday.
I did not grow up with Halloween since it was never celebrated in my country, but I do see more people celebrating it. Because my family and I never celebrated Halloween, I was quick to judge others who did start to embrace Halloween. But this post was a reminder that I cannot judge anybody based on what they choose to do, but to rather Seek my Beloved Lord to show me how the children and I can show His love and mercy to those who do make the choice to celebrate it.
It’s the same for me in my country, Brazil. Here is not common to go out for “Trick or Treat”, but there are parties themed as “Halloween parties” I am so grateful that my children – now they are almost adults – don’t need to listen to my preachies any more and all judgements I used to have upon their friends 🙈
The same thing happened to me. I was too critical of those who celebrated that date. Unfortunately, as a child, I did participate in that celebration dressed up and asking for candy. After knowing that it was wrong, I became legalistic and a pharisee and judged others as if I had never done it. Now I am even more ashamed of my pharisaical behavior at that time. Thank the Lord for reminding us of this truth again to avoid falling into this error.
I’ve been thinking about how to handle pagan holidays, it’s been weighing on my heart and mind. I’ve asked the Lord but haven’t gotten a clear answer from Him yet. I talked to my youngest son about it, as he still wants to participate in school functions and dress up for fall parades etc. He said to me “that’s not why I want to do it though and I’m never anything scary or mean, I just want to dress up as Garfield and march in the parade” For now I guess I’ll let him participate until the Lord tells me otherwise.
Thanks for sharing Hope❣️ It used to be weighing to me too 😔 I’m so grateful for how He led me to this peaceful place, reminding me that He is always above and in control of any situation🙌🙌
In our country, Halloween is getting more and more attention. Because I live in a Bible belt, there are all kinds of counter-actions from Christians on these celebrations, such as prayer services, and a sign with this text at a church with “God is light and in Him is no darkness”
I am just so grateful that He taught me, through Erin’s testimony, not to judge others (which I quickly did) I can spread His Love to other people without judging them on the choice they make.
Thank you, Hanna!!!I am also so grateful to have Erin’s testimony and of course His Light and Protection over my children🌟