Tricks or Treats?

Halloween's history for another year. However, while we don't get many trick or treaters where I live, I stock up, just in case. So I always pick what I know the Grands or I like. Then the kid in me hopes nobody shows up!! And last night no one rang or knocked. Whew! For sure, I'd guarantee future no shows, if I gave out celery, carrot sticks or toothbrushes. Parents and dentists might like me but the kids would TP my condo.

Well, at least I don't turn off all the lights and pretend nobody's home. However, I think we go a bit crazy over Halloween. And not just in Salem, Massachusetts. I read that we will spend about 13.1 billion overall on Halloween, including 4.3 billion on costumes. Whatever happened to using frayed sheets, old clothes or getting creative with pillowcases? As for candy, we'll spend around 3.9 billion and about 4.2 billion on decorations.

So what's it all about? Well, it's become a tradition. And dressing up, being somebody or something else, maybe even heroic or famous, for a few hours is fun. And then there's the candy. But, the truth is that sometimes life needs some fantasy to balance reality. And sometimes make-believe monsters help keep at bay or declaw some of life's real monsters. Actually, watching the news sometimes unleashes a monster in me. Or sends me cowering, hunting a safe place to get away from it all.

But today is All Saints Day, not a day for tricks or monsters. Today reminds us there are saints above and below still praying and blessing us. And today's my daughter's birthday, which gives me a massive dose of JOY and hope. (Happy birthday to you, too, Stan Gaede!)

And although her brother might disagree with this notion, I like that Heather was born on All Saints Day. Not because she's perfect, as some think of saints. But I love picturing her prayed for by saints above and below on this day. And also because I'm relieved she wasn't born on Halloween.

So, are you feeling more tricked than treated today? Anything left of your hidden reserves? What does the kid in your need today? Well, if the kid in you is like the one in me, maybe these reminders will help you, as they help me:

1. Focus on what I have, not what I lack. Gratitude feeds the soul. Anne Lamott wrote, "Gratitude turns what we have into enough."
2. Make better choices today. C.S Lewis wrote," You can't go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending."
3. Err on the side of grace. A few days ago I read these words by Philip Yancey about a time when he was invited to speak to a gathering of pastors and Christian leaders, while in several places in Asia. Before speaking, a leader reminded Philip that among those listening are many who suffer, and spent years in prison for their faith. So Philip asked if he should speak from his books: Where is God When It Hurts or from Disappointment with God?

But the leader responded, "Oh, no... we assume we will be persecuted for faith. We want you to speak on grace. We need help getting along with each other." Why grace? As Max Lucado wrote, "Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off." And today, we need grace to help us get along with each other, also. Because the enemy of God and us wants to keep us divided.

You and I know there is a battle between truth and tricks or lies. Divisiveness is about power, greed and control.The biggest trick foisted on us today is to keep us divided. Divide and conquer our country, churches, families and friendships. Widen the gulf. Make everything personal. Pepper the news with what's wrong. Hide what is going well. Or twist what's evil to make it look good. And these assaults on truth feed hopelessness, and helplessness, so we're tempted to quit trying. Or we just stop paying attention. Too bombarded with images, information or lies, we cocoon with our own kind and hope it all goes away.

Meanwhile, the Dividers, crank up the noise and distractions so it's hard to listen, or to sort truth from lies. Or to prioritize what matters more or most. Some want to make democracy look feeble and untenable. And to make dictatorial, authoritarian forms of government seem like a treat, instead of a trick. Let others do the thinking. And before long we don't recognize what we've lost. Democracy. We were tricked into seeing the world as them versus us. No mystery or nuance. All black and white with the edge going towards white.

So, if that's the trick, what's the treat? Our constitution and We, the people. We are stronger together. And we are better because we are not all the same. Individually and together we are capable of doing better. So, don't give up. You are not alone. Truth wins, in the end.

Well, my friends and family, today is All Saints Day. So, seek out and appreciate the saints among us. Pray for and cheer on those who serve, care, love and grace the places where they live and work. And I'm confident a lot of saints are reading this blog.

So, thank you for being who you are and doing what you do.

And Happy Birthday, Heather and Stan. You're treats. And that's the Gospel truth.