Reed's Remember Halloween

Remember Halloween? I mean really remember, through kids eyes? Costumes, pumpkin patch trips, bobbing for apples, school parties and finally – Halloween night?

October is the time of year when grown-ups are raking leaves, watching football and getting the snow blower ready for winter. Kids have settled into school and can’t wait until the first snow day. But in between, is Halloween.

Late this summer my kids started thinking about what they would dress up as. But, they came to a final decision only about 10 days ago. My son will be a Ninja and my daughter will be Snow White. Remember the costumes you wore many years ago? I remember being a skeleton, a pirate and Tim the Toolman Taylor (I was much older for this one).

Last week we went to the local orchard and picked apples. Of course, this place also had pumpkins. As I’m sure you know, not any pumpkin will do. It must be the right shape, color and for my son - BIG. This year he had to pay for part of his pumpkin since it was bigger than what my wife and I thought it should be.

Finally, next week is Halloween night. Rain, cold or sleet of night will not stop the trek through the neighborhood. Costumes aplenty, bags of candy, and flashlights. Don’t forget that once the kids come home Dad has to sort through the haul and ensure everything is safe. But be careful, the ‘… here’s one for you, one for you and two for me…’ do not work under the watchful eye of a ten and seven year old.

So, this Halloween night make sure you stock up on candy, keep it safe and remember it through the eyes of a little Snow White or Ninja!

Reed's Remember Sunday Mornings

Remember getting ready for church on Sunday morning? Sure you do. Mom and Dad would wake you up early (on the weekend); you’d crawl out of bed scratching here and there. Inevitably you’d ask, “… do I have to get up so early” – and Mom would always say, “Yes, it’s Sunday morning. Get ready for church or we’ll be late.”

How many homes have that conversation anymore? It appears that many do not. As my family and I drive to church we see soccer games, people jogging, going to the store or walking out to get their paper. What happened to remembering the Lord’s Day?

I remember being little and getting ready for Sunday morning the night before. It would start with bath time (or a shower as I got older). Once that was complete it was time to polish those Sunday shoes. I’d have my can of Kiwi Polish (black or brown), an old rag with lots and lots of previous Saturday evening shoe polish spots on it, my buffing rag and shoes. Out would come the shoe laces, polish liberally applied, then buffed to a shine and then I’d lace them back up. Once up Sunday morning, breakfast would be followed by brushing my teeth (with Crest of course), then getting dressed (in a suit, sometimes it was a snazzy green Leisure Suit), and last but not least – the shoes. We’d all hop into the car and head to church. Every Sunday – rain, shine, or in a blizzard.

Today, my family still goes through almost the same ritual. My wife and I hear “… do I have to get up, it’s too early” even though on Saturday they might have been up an hour earlier ready to play. We’re all trying to get breakfast, our teeth brushed and out the door. Usually the words “ … get in that bathroom and finish getting ready or we’re going to be late …” escape from my mouth.

But we make it on time; ready to remember why we’re there in the first place – to worship God. So remember the Lord’s Day, you’ll be glad you did.