All over the country tonight there will be ghosts, goblins, and Frozen Elsas knocking on your door asking for candy. And you’ll open the door wide open, place little treats in their bags, smile at them, and wish them a good night.
It’s an amazing act of kindness and generosity – even if it seems so small, it makes a difference in the lives of those kids, shaping fond Halloween memories that will stick with them for their entire lives and what Halloween means to them when they grow up and they have kids of their own.
Today is Halloween, and for me, this day is not so much about ghosts and those kinds of spirits as much as it is about the spirit of giving.
It begins a time of year when we are on the brink of our darkest days with no sunshine, yet the spirit of giving lights the way all through now until the end of the year.
Art for the Beginning of the Giving Season: Light the Sky
I made some art last night for Journal52, inspired by one of my favorite quotes about giving:
“Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, “You owe Me.”
Look what happens with a love like that.
It lights the Whole Sky.”
-Hafiz
The Irony of Those Who Give the Most
It’s important to remember that just like costumes on Halloween, things are not always as they appear.
Sometimes, those who give the most are not always those with the most to give.
Sometimes, those who are “poor” financially are some of the most vibrant, “richest”, giving people you’ll ever meet.
If you’re in trouble, or hurt or need – go to the poor people. They’re the only ones that’ll help.
-John Steinbeck
Before I go off to trick or treat with my kiddos, I’d like to share a great story I heard many, many years ago by Eddie Ogan: “The Rich Family in Our Church”.
The story goes like this:
A church announces they will have a special collection to help a poor family in their congregation. So, wanting to help as much as possible, a widow and her 7 children hustle, scrimp & save (literally living off of potatoes) to be able to contribute to the collection.
They made $70 to give to this poor family – only to find out they were the poor family the church was helping.
The minister drove to their house later that Sunday afternoon with $87 – so not only were they the “poor family” – they were the largest contributors!
Eddie Ogan, The Rich Family in Our Church
It’s an interesting story, isn’t it? Always gets me thinking.
I hope you all have a safe and happy Halloween this year…May you Light the Sky in the spirit of giving as we dive into the darkness and the beginning of the giving season this year!