One of our favorite fall stories is the 1966 classic, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Charles M. Schulz, who created the comic strip Peanuts, taught Sunday school and there are Christian themes, some obvious and some subtle, woven into the cartoons.
 
In the “Great Pumpkin” film, Charlie Brown experiences some struggles; he’s the model for the pumpkin carving and he fumbles through his costume. And then, as if it couldn’t get worse, he gets a rock instead of candy.
 
In our family when things don’t go our way, we often poke fun of the situation by announcing in Charlie Brown’s dejected tone, “I got a rock.” While it’s tongue in cheek, it grounds us with a gentle reminder: Life is beautiful but it can also be messy and challenging.
 
In the meantime, Linus skips the festivities to wait all night in the pumpkin patch for the arrival of the Great Pumpkin.
 
But alas, the Great Pumpkin doesn’t visit and Linus fears he isn’t sincere enough. Even when we believe with all our heart and have a strong faith, just like Linus waiting in the pumpkin patch, life doesn’t go the way we expect or always give us what we want.
 
However, two years later in the 1968 Peanuts classic, “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown,” Linus shows us what to do. In the climactic scene when Linus explains Christmas by reciting Scripture from Luke, Linus reaches the words, “fear not,” and quietly drops his security blanket.
 
“And the angel said unto them, fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11
 
Indeed, when we have worries and fears, we can let go of our insecurities. We should lift our worries to God and give thanks.
 
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
 
Bring all your worries, fears and anxieties to God. Pray to him in gratitude. When we give our worries to God, he will take them and give us peace in return.
 
Written by Melissa Grych, director of public relations for Buckner International.