By Pastor Don Schatz
Flowers in the Grass
“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.”
Psalm 119:114 The English Standard Version
Halloween is a contracted form of “All Hallows Eve.” In the Christian tradition, it is the Eve of All Saints’ Day, November 1, when we celebrate the eternal life of our loved ones who have been transported to the glorious presence of God on the wings of grace. The present-day custom 
of the Jack-O’-Lantern is usually attributed to an Irish legend of Stingy Jack who tricks the devil. I will let you ‘google’ more information about that!
On occasion, it seems as though the light of God’s presence and guiding are extinguished. Or at least so small as to not give us much hope. In the midst of a field of grass and weeds recently, I spotted a few flowers blooming merrily. It was a serendipitous treat. How did they get there in the weeds on the edge of an alfalfa field? ‘Likely birds,’ you are thinking. I’m guessing you are correct.
In this instance, nature gives us a picture of the truth of God’s presence in our lives. In the midst of the “weeds” of doubt, worry, threat, exhaustion, angst, loss, illness or the spookiness of death, the Lord God is not only our hiding place. He has planted himself in our hearts and souls and blooms there always. We are his “hiding place,” where he has planted deep roots in Jesus and grows there, shedding the beauty of his Gospel to shine upon our lives. All of our lives, and all of the experiences life brings.
Look closely today. Through the parade of Halloween costumes, see the loving presence of the Lord in your life. May the light of your Jack-O’-Lantern remind you of the light of Christ. May you shine and bloom in the lives of others. Light of the world. Flower of God’s love.
Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
