We heard all through the late summer and fall about how Colleyanna wanted to be a kitty cat for Halloween. We heard, also, how that Ezra wanted to be a battle character of some sort. ( What “sort” kept evolving.) I’m not sure how it was decided, but he and his mom decided on the Star Wars theme, for the two of them and the three-year-old would be Baby Yoda. Colleyanna was assured that she could still be a kitty cat and all was well.
One day, about a week before Halloween, I was talking to Colleyanna and she told me that she was going to be “Princess Leah”. (She meant “Leia,” of course, but she didn’t even know how to say the name, much less who she was going to be.) In fact, I then asked her if she knew who Leia is. Her reply was just candid and yet profound:
“No, I do not really know, but I just don’t want to miss out on being part of the family.”
If only we could appreciate the goodness of God in adopting us into His family. If we could be willing to give up our own preferences in deference to the needs and desires of others in that family. If we could be about sacrificing our own plans for the good of this great family…how blessed we would be. He has made us His family, and we are so much better when we are together.
It was fun to be a cohesive little group of Star Wars characters, tromping though the neighborhood. About two nights before the event, Ezra double-checked to be sure that Papa and I had planned out our Star Wars costumes. Whaaa?!! I was in another state and would not even be home till the 30th! Let me tell you.…That was a pretty fast (and tired) work of crafting and assembling.
But I agree with Colleyanna. It’s important, when somebody in the family really is counting on you, to come through. I didn’t really know who I was, in that costume, either,.. But when I walked out into the yard and welcomed the kids in for their pre-trick-or treating grilled cheese sandwiches, Ezra had no difficulty with the identity of the Emperor. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I do know how to google images and I knew I could quickly make that costume right there!
If you can make fast plans, accommodate and step a little bit out of your norm for the family of God, you will find a lot of blessings. I want to do better in the family of God. “I don’t want to miss out on being part of the family.”
And just for fun, here are a few pictures of the other kids in Jackson, TN. Ellis is Humpty Dumpty obsessed and he was so excited to have the “great fall.” And Merida is pretty brave!
