How to Grow Three Sizes

Every Who
Down in Who-ville
Liked Christmas a lot…

But the Grinch,
Who lived just North of Who-ville,
Did NOT! 

The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be that his head wasn’t screwed on quite right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
(from How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Suess)

What makes for a small heart?

• Resentment
• Suspicion
• Selfishness
• Ingratitude
• Discontent
• Fear
• Isolation

As the story continues, the Grinch has a transformation after a rather complicated scheme to mess up the lives of those in Who-ville who enjoyed life and Christmas. 

The Grinch thought Christmas came from a store but when the gifts were gone, it didn’t take long before the people of Who-ville were once again singing their songs and celebrating what they had left, not what they had lost.

It wasn’t long before it dawned on the Grinch that Christmas was much deeper than what could be bought from a store. As the truth of their Christmas celebration sunk in, a strange thing started happening to his heart… 

And what happened then…?
Well…in Who-ville they say
That the Grinch’s small heart
Grew three sizes that day!
And the minute his heart didn’t feel quite so tight,
He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light
And he brought back the toys! And the food for the feast!
And he… 

…HE HIMSELF…!
The Grinch carved the roast beast!

An ancient proverb puts the heart at the center of life.  If we don’t guard our hearts and keep them growing, our lives will shrivel up and we will end up like the Grinch in a state of misery.

Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23).

What keeps your heart on the grow?

• Resentment  – forgiveness to those who have hurt you.
• Suspicion – a belief in others and their potential.
• Selfishness – generosity and a willingness to focus on others.
• Ingratitude – gratitude for every gift regardless of the size.
• Discontent – contentment for what you have right now.
• Fear – a faith to believe God has your best interest at heart.
• Isolation – the willingness to step out of your comfort zone and befriend others.

And if your heart continues to grow…

• You will not only have life within yourself but something to give away from the overflow of your own expanding heart.

 May the true meaning of Christmas – the coming of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world – be the focus of your celebration and the concentration of your worship.

Image source: Free image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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