Holidays

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Halloween’s scariest scare hits when the kiddie parties start to die down. Little children growl the real mantra of the holiday: Give. Me. More.

You see the panic in their eyes. The sea of candy and juice boxes and games and fun is coming to a grinding halt. And Vesuvius erupts.

God gets it. He's heard it before.

Like the Israelites’ childlike chant to sweet Samuel, “We want a king! We want a king!” This after God had acted as personal tour guide for them, but fine, sure, never mind about God – a king it is. Along came King Saul who wound up being a punishing bellyache if ever there was.

The precedent had been set. First there was Eve. Who wanted an apple. Not that one. Not from all those trees. She wanted one tree more.

Give. Me. More.

“Do not forget me – I am the God who brought you out of Egypt,” God had told His people. He poured manna from the heavens and refreshing springs from the land. Was it His generosity that drove them to the golden calf? Generosity. It can be a confusing gift.

I have visited my children’s elementary school to see the kiddies in costume and I have seen soccer moms with zoom lenses hoping to snap one grateful face. We all feel the unspoken fear…are we giving them too much?

Last year, my son flew into a level four rage on the way home from the Halloween hoopla. While I commiserated in near tears to a girlfriend via phone, he managed a 180 degree turnaround and politely asked to go play outside.

“He’s back,” my friend on the phone sighed the relief that I felt. Whew.

Like the prodigal son. No wonder that dad stood waiting, waiting. He was standing firm. His son had had a colossal give-me-more partying time of it. But the father stood watching and when the son contritely headed home, even while the son was still far off, the father caught a glimpse of him.

He’s back. Whew.

Is it possible that even God is motivated by this simplest longing? Come back. Come to your senses. Wash the chocolate off the face; see the shiny eyes and the smile. My child. Returned.

Now let me indulge you with my love.

After the prodigal son returned, the party started up in full force.

Aaaaand here we go again...

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