[Heather FitzGerald] Salt and Light Among Candy and Darkness

As a mother of an autistic son, we do not vaccinate. But I’m not here to advocate for or against this hot topic. Rather, I’d like to ask you to consider vaccinations of another sort: exposure to the world.

In case you haven’t noticed the spiderwebbing on your neighbor’s shrubs, or the blow-up dragon across the street…today is Halloween. A quick web search tells me that Americans spent $9 BILLION on this holiday in 2018. Unless you live in a bubble, the scary costumes, creepy decor, and bowls of cavity-inducing candy are hard to avoid.

As a homeschooling mother of four, I felt ambivalent about how to handle Halloween. (Yeah, us homeschoolers are notoriously more conservative than average). I know some families that refuse to acknowledge it in any way, including ‘fall festivals’ at the local church. I get that.

There’s plenty of scripture that warns against fraternizing with the enemy. And as parents, we have a serious responsibility to guard what our children are exposed to. But is absolute removal from culture the answer—let alone possible?

It’s not my wish (or place) to criticize anyone who holds to a conviction of non-participation. I’ve been there. But I’m learning that participation and celebration are not necessarily the same thing. Over the years, I’ve noticed something among families with older children—as well as seeing signs of this phenomenon in my own: exclusion from culture usually breeds a fascination with it.

It seems that anytime we try to wield complete control, our kids suspect us of withholding something vital. For example, we may not allow sugary treats in our home; but our children will be curious enough to try some when the opportunity presents itself. Though they may have enough “fear of being found out” to resist (for awhile, anyway), their hearts are longing to see what that colorful Sour Patch Kid really tastes like.

But candy isn’t the point. The Lord desires our hearts. Outward conformity without inward transformation is only disobedience in waiting. Curiosity is powerful. I’ve both seen and experienced the heartbreak of well-brought up kids in rebellion. Some, experimenting where they shouldn’t, others rejecting faith as a teenager or young adult.

Since we are sinful, imperfect parents raising sinful, imperfect kids, some degree of this is inevitable. But how can we raise godly children whose desire is to love the Lord in both motivation and action?

I’ve learned something from others whose children are passionate for engaging the culture for Christ: limited exposure to the world can propagate a vaccine-like effect in their hearts. I don’t mean embracing the culture’s way of doing things. But rather, choosing slivers of exposure, age appropriate, and finding creative ways to incorporate the gospel.

Whether it’s Halloween or living next door to atheist neighbors, our kids are watching. Their internal periscope is on us. Will they see us respond in fear and withdrawal from the lost, or will they see us seeking opportunities to display the love of Jesus? Why not teach them to invite unsaved friends to an event that plants seeds of redemption, rather than merely cavities?

“It’s not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

I’d encourage you to prayerfully consider how you might be salt and light on this dark holiday. Use wisdom. Don’t celebrate it. Redeem it!

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16