“The serpent tricked me, and I ate.”

Genesis 3:13

That day in the garden, when the serpent tricked Eve into eating an apple?

That had to be Halloween.

I remember the house on my street that gave out apples on Halloween. An apple? Who wants an apple on Halloween? That’s worse than the dentist who gave out toothbrushes. At least those came in a nice variety of colors. But an apple? We already had apples at home. What fun was that?

When it comes to “Trick or Treat”, I considered an apple as a trick. Just like Eve did. Wasn’t I, the kid in the costume, the one who was supposed to be playing tricks? I never did, by the way. I just put the apple in my pillowcase and moved on to the next house.

As an adult, being tempted on Halloween has continued. But now I’m tricking myself into stealing the treats from my own candy bowl. I always buy enough candy that I “accidentally” have some left over. The only devil urging me to dive in is perhaps the one on my shoulder saying, “They’re fun sized candies. You can eat another couple; they won’t hurt you.”

This year I’ll be handing out candy like always, but for me our world seems to be all Tricks and no Treats this year. It feels like “Trick or Trick”. I’m not talking about sweet stuff now. I’m talking about how bitter the world tastes. I look at wars, and poverty, and politics, and polarization and I feel like the Devil is tricking me into feeling hopeless.

I don’t believe the serpent in the garden was the Devil. Actually, I don’t really believe in the personification of evil, either. But I do feel tempted to throw my hands up in frustration and despair at all the fallenness I see.

But then I picture the parade of kids, wearing their Barbie outfits and their Spiderman costumes and I can’t help but smile. This is a joyful time for these young ones–a night to meet their neighbors and haul in some goodies. I remember wistfully the days when I would take to the streets, unable to see properly through my plastic mask, proudly parading from house to house. It was a time of excitement and fun.

Not every child around this struggling world will get a handful of candy this year, but I pray that everyone receives the gift of God’s grace, however it might come. From me, grace will look like an assortment of Reece’s peanut butter cups. No tricks. All treats.

It could happen that some kid might show up at my door dressed as the Devil, I suppose. I won’t be tempted to cringe in fright. Tonight, they’ll get their handful of treats and a smile from me, knowing that this simple exchange is but a reflection of the treats that God offers all of us.

Here’s my loud proclamation: I refuse to let this year be a “Trick or Trick” year. Treats for everyone!

(How do you like ‘dem apples?)

Have a great week,

Mitch