Just like a dirty pumpkin in a field of pumpkins, God lovingly chose me and washed away my sins through baptism. With a deep cut, he freed me from the power of the devil, then scooped out all the stringy stuff that was tying me to this world of sin. He removed all the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carved a big smile on my face, made my eyes wide open, and put His light inside my heart for all the world to see.
I think of that whenever I see a smiley jack-o-lantern. Except for what Christ has done for me, I’m just a dirty pumpkin in a pumpkin patch. Of all the things to be thankful for this year — and the list grows longer every year as I get to know more and more of you — being saved by Jesus tops the list!