You Are God's Pumpkin
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden
God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, "If you boast, boast only about the Lord."—1 Corinthians 1:30-31
For most of the country, the crisp cool air of autumn is upon us. A sure sign of autumn is that Christmas decorations are popping up everywhere in retail stores. Halloween costumes and disguises are sold out from shops as trick-or-treaters are ready to take over the streets. A popular symbol of both harvest time and Halloween is the pumpkin. I was thinking recently that being a Christian is a lot like being a pumpkin. Perhaps you are visualizing this orange, round vegetable and wondering how you could ever be compared to one of these squashes! Simply put, like a child chooses a pumpkin to carve and mold an image upon, so God carves and molds His own unique design in you.
The Scriptures tell us that the Lord chooses us. He lifts us up and washes the dirt from our skin. Then he opens us, connecting deep inside to scoop out all the slimy, yucky stuff, including seeds of doubt, spite, lies, fear, etc. Then He carves a new creation, and makes our faces shine by putting His light inside for all to see.
Sometimes I feel like I don't want my light to shine because I am ashamed of a thought or action or pattern in my life. I try to hide the light Christ has put in me, and blend in with the crowd. What I forget is that when God carved me, created me, and gave me His Son, I no longer had to count on my own strength. I can count on the Lord's. It is He who washes me clean; it is He who gives me a spirit of strength and perseverance; it is He who makes me pure; it is He who frees me from sin; and it is He who gives me hope. When I realize that my part of the equation is to rely on His strength and power, then I can do as Scriptures say, and shine His light through the power of the Holy Spirit.
What starts as an everyday squash turns into a lantern of light. What starts as an everyday person turns into a beacon of hope for all to see. At times, it is hard to imagine that we can be cleansed through Jesus. As the Scripture says, Christ has made us right with God. He has purified us and freed us from sin. Through our union with Christ, we are given the light and wisdom of the Holy Spirit who enters and dwells in our lives. It is He who picked you out and carved you just the way He wants you. So make sure you keep your lantern lit for all to see.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What sins are in your life that you need to release and allow the Lord to scoop out for you?
2. Each time you see a pumpkin this autumn, think through why it is so important for you to be a vessel of light representing our Lord.
FURTHER READING:
Psalm 19:7-10; Colossians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7
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early in the morning, aka, the crack of dawn.
oh to be small and tired. 
ok, now this is really tired. the kid is sleeping on a water bottle!
where's Payton? Mile 21 and I didn't see my boy.
this is my favorite picture of the whole day. I love it!
What dedication on my family's part to stick it out for me and the kids we are helping in Africa. Blessings come in all shapes and sizes. And in all forms.
wow! I did it! My first marathon. whoo hoo!
yes. there was pain afterwards.
I couldn't wait to eat!
Here are the 3 musketeers on the first day, Tuesday, September 2nd. It was a big day for everyone and we were all up early and excited. For Jimmy it was his first day at the new Edison and his first day taking a bus to school. 
Payton's day went well, again, not overly excited, but he enjoyed his day and was happy to show us his homework and tell us about a few things they did. Here is a picture of Jim getting Payton from "the box" on the first day.
Now poor Jimmy, this was probably one of the most messed up days the poor kid has experienced! The "fun" (said in a VERY sarcastic tone) began at 6:50 am when he got to the bus stop. This is where he (we) waited, and waited and waited and waited, for a bus that NEVER showed up!!!
Jimmy ended up spending the first day of 5th grade with tthe 5th graders at Thorp. He was so calm and good natured about it, but I knew where he would have rather been.
It was a good learning experience for him though, and he made new friends that might live in our neighborhood.
So the 2nd day rolls around and the bus fails to show for day 2. Today we decide that Jim will drive him to school and so Jimmy gets to class in the middle of 1st period. At least he made it! Jim picked him up on Wednesday since the bus didn't show at the school for over an hour.
By this morning, not being hopeful the bus was coming, it was a pleasent surprise to hear it picked Jimmy up and even better to hear that it was a new company and they were driving the route with an Edison parent and plan to make this work.
So after a few frustrating days, it looks like there is a little light at the end of the tunnel and we are going to continue to chug along.
it's been over a week now and Bandit Buttersworth Dalessandro is officially part of our family. Or should I say pack, since we are now an official pack since there is a dog involved :0)
