Every Halloween, as I reflect on childhood memories, a particular longing surfaces. I yearned to don a cowboy hat, holster a toy pistol, and gallop through the neighborhood. But my father, like many of their generation, held a strict stance against such toys. Dad, a staunch conservative, had a surprising aversion to firearms, toy pistols, or fireworks.
While he never explicitly shared the reason for this stance, we suspected a traumatic experience from his time in WWII or Korea. This unspoken history cast a shadow over his life, yet it never diminished his love for his family. His unwavering affection for us, his children and grandchildren, was a testament to the profound truth of Luke 12:7b: “You are of more value than many sparrows.”
Halloween, a night of playful frights, offers a stark contrast to the real fears that can plague our lives. In the face of genuine anxiety, we can draw comfort from the divine assurance: “Do not be afraid.” It’s a reminder that, despite life’s uncertainties, we are cherished and protected.
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