Tip of My Iceberg

I’ve never been a huge fan of Halloween.

Growing up, once we hit a certain age, we didn’t care as much about candy as we did running around with cans of shaving cream, warring with soapy foam on dark streets.

Getting into trouble.

Today we’d probably be picked up for vandalism, even though we never hurt anyone’s property.

It’s soap, for pete’s sake. It washed away with the next rain.

We didn’t spend much time coming up with creative costumes. Stores sold scary masks, but we came up with homemade things that were often not frightening so much as funny.

Not a big deal.

Now folks decorate for Halloween like it’s the highlight of the year. A boatload is spent on spidery webs and big blowup jack-o-lanterns.

I could easily do without it. We’d often go to Chuck E. Cheese on Halloween when the kids were little so I could ignore it. That and a bag of candy was enough.

Until the grands started dressing up.

This year, Huck in Austin was a sumo wrestler.

Isley was a blingy pink and black cat. Ryken was a cuddle monkey.

Ethan, Sydney and Teagan were ninjas.

I may not enjoy the holiday, but I sure as the dickens get a charge out of these little ones doing it with class.

Perspective. It’s an amazing thing.

I find I get preoccupied with the urgent, and it takes my eyes off what’s really important. The stuff that’s in my face screams for attention. Halloween isn’t a deal breaker, but it’s loud. Hard to ignore.

Loud doesn’t always translate to important. Getting sidetracked by things that aren’t really significant can keep me from focusing on what’s truly necessary.

Things that seem urgent often are like listening to political debates and thinking that anything being said will actually translate to something happening.

Not so much.

I don’t have to agree with or like holidays like Halloween. My lack of enjoyment won’t stop anything. But if I fuss about it and make a stink over it, I ruin the fun of those who just want to dress up and get candy.

It’s not a hill to die on.

I need to save that passion for the truly significant things in life.

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed–that exhilarating finish in and with God–He could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.”   Hebrews 12:2

Jesus had it right. Eternal things matter. God matters. Being assured of heaven matters.

There are a lot of things I disagree with.

The question is whether it’s worth the fight.

Or am I allowing my attitude and perspective to be chosen for me by others?

I need to pick my battles. Figure out where I’ll make a stand.

I doubt it will have anything to do with creepy costumes and an overabundance of candy.