It was harvest time, and pumpkins were ready to be picked. All around town, pumpkins were being placed by front doors as symbols of the season. One family was having a difficult time and had not been able to pick out their pumpkins, but even the children noticed that something was missing from their holiday celebrations.
One night, the family returned home to find a small pumpkin on their once empty front porch. The next day, more pumpkins appeared, and more followed a few days after that. A small miracle had taken place, and the children were excited to have their very own pumpkins.
The excitement didn't stop there. These pumpkins inspired the family to visit the pumpkin patch, to share the joy of the season, to put out even more holiday symbols. They read books, did crafts, decorated the inside of the house, made treats, and planned ways to share their excitement with others.
The gift of the pumpkins saved their season, sparked hope, and inspired a pattern of service. Something as simple as sharing a pumpkin opened their eyes to the love and life outside of themselves. Even in the darkest of times, light can come from small and simple things.
Each of us has gifts to give and love to share. Small and simple gifts like a smile, a prayer, holding open a door, making a meal, offering help, or just listening can make the difference in another's day. We don't often know when our small acts of service become something more, but they can. In my case, pumpkins became a symbol for more than just the season--it was time to start living again.
We have received so much love and service this year and are so grateful. I have been buoyed by both small and large gestures. It is truly through the service of others that our needs are met, especially in times when we struggle to make the connections ourselves. I am inspired to take that love and pass it on to others, knowin that when I am serving others, I am serving God--"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (New Testament, Matthew, Chapter 25:40)
Finally, in the spirit of the season and keeping with the pumpkin theme, I'll share a truly happy Halloween message I saw a few days ago:
You are like a pumpkin.
God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off you may have gotten from your time in the field. When you open the door, He can see your heart and look into your soul. He scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, impurity, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see. When others see this light, they feel happy!
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (New Testament, Matthew, Chapter 5:16)
P.S. I'm HALFWAY DONE with Herceptin!!!!!
I had been thinking all week about how very thoughtful and sweet that was of someone to decorate your porch for you. So glad it cheered you and helped you feel more of the holiday spirit.
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