That's how we greeted the people of our town as we walked around the little village the night before Halloween, knocking on doors, dressed as various characters and carrying bags of candy. I was blessed by the responses we got.
Many were grateful and seemed impressed by what we were doing. After giving away as much candy as kids could cram into their hands, we asked "we're also taking prayer requests... Is there anything you'd like us to pray for?"
Responses varied. Some nodded, willingly opening up and sharing a request for a sick friend, a pregnant wife, or just prayer in general. Others responded with "no thanks, I'm good."
But the response we got at one house stood out to me. We'd walked up to the porch and I'd knocked on the door. We could tell young kids lived here because of the stroller and kids toys sitting out in front of the house. A man in little shorts and a tank top came to the door and opened it just a crack. I saw a few young children running around in the background, and (ignoring the fact that he wasn't wearing much clothing) I gave him the shpeel.
"Hi! We're from the youth group at the church at the top of the hill, and this year, instead of going trick or treating, we decided to go reverse trick or treating. So we're bringing you candy!"
"Hold on a second," he paused, shutting the door for a moment. I turned to the rest of the group behind me and shrugged. Assuming he went back inside to change, I silently mouthed, he's barely wearing any clothes! Several youth groupies giggled and I turned back toward the front door. The man opened the door again, and, much to my surprise, was still wearing short little shorts and a tank top. Oh, well, I thought. This is no time to judge. I continued explaining what we were doing, and he seemed interested. He called for his young children (who were super duper cute), and they came and gladly reached into our abundant candy bags, picking out some sugary treats.
The father asked us a little more about what we were all about. We told him why we were doing what we were doing.
"That's really cool," he said. "You know, so many people in churches nowadays seem to be so against everything about Halloween, but I think any opportunity to get people out in the community like this, where they can interact with each other, is great. I feel like God can use anything, even something like Halloween, for good and to bring people together."
We talked another minute or so with him, and got the chance to pray with him, which was awesome. But even after we left, something he said stuck with me.
God can use anything for good.
I feel like many times, we forget how true this is. We get so caught up in the appearance of everything, that we don't see how it could possibly be an opportunity. Halloween. That's evil, right? When blood and gore and spooky costumes and evil things are the focus, not God. Definitely not God. Right? But He's still there, even in the midst of the candy, the costumes, and the creepiness.
He was there with the man in short shorts and a tank top on a chilly Halloween Eve, reminding me one, not to judge people by their appearances, and two, to pay attention, to look for the opportunities in all circumstances.
No matter the situation, instead of automatically deeming it entirely pointless, I think it's time we look for the opportunities set before us, right under our noses, and to remember that God can use anything, even a "dark holiday", for good.
-MM
Our group of reverse trick-or-treaters :)
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