For Christians October 31st is a controversial day. Is it just a day to dress up in a costume to score some candy? Is it a Fall Festival day? Is it a celebration of all things demonic? Is it the day that the freaks come out? Those are all great questions and I honestly cannot answer how Halloween should play out in your family. In my family we have a much bigger problem that to me is bone-chilling. Every year this day reminds me more and more of my mortality. But this year it has reached the first of many horrific milestones. I laugh at Freddie, Jason, clowns, and Chucky because this is much more scary.

It’s my daughter’s birthday. My firstborn… Kyra. Yes, I know birthdays are supposed to be a celebration. But like a werewolf, transforming from a man to wolf, Kyra is making a transformation herself. She will be 13. She is transforming into one of the most feared, misunderstood beings ever, a teenager! Do I fear the challenges of the years to come, maybe. Do I dread the day that she moves out of my home, yes. She is very precious to me and I see the day coming all too fast that I will have to give her away. As Kyra crosses these milestones it makes me feel like an old man. I am too young to have a teenage daughter!

What also frightens me is that I couldn’t figure out teenage girls when I was teenager. I am not sure I can do it now either. Luckily my wife informed me that she was once 13, which gives her great insight into what makes up a teenage girl. Whew! I don’t have to do it alone. Just like all horror movies the monster is dead we can all relax. Hold on the monster is getting back up. What is it saying? “Your still old!” Unfortunately that nightmare is still a reality.

Pastor JD