Invited

Our family was one of the many who made it a tradition to park ourselves in front of the TV, with a TV dinner, on a TV tray, and soak in every second of network television’s annual airing of allll the Christmas specials. Rudolph, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, and The Grinch just to name a few. Early in the week, my brother and I would grab our favorite colored ink pens, snag the TV Guide, and circle the specific day and time for each and every showing. Then we’d strategize to get homework and chores done – all without pouting or crying, of course – and have ourselves joyfully in place before the first note of intro music ever played. It was quite the event!

I have to be honest, though, when I heard these words playing through our Sears TV speaker, I cringed just a little…

“You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch
You really are a heel
You’re as cuddly as a cactus, you’re as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch
You’re a bad banana with a greasy black peel!”

My eight-year-old heart just didn’t like Mr. Grinch. I tried to be excited, but found myself sitting just a bit further back into the couch when his green face filled the TV screen. I mean, can you blame me for preferring the cheery face of Rudolph over Mr. Termite Teeth?

Enter Cindy Lou Who.

Cindy Lou is the bravest little girl I knew! Despite the horrible descriptions that were uttered about Mr. Grinch all around her, she chose to ignore it. Cindy Lou decided to find out for herself just who this skinny-legged, green guy was. Maybe he was just misunderstood. Maybe he was simply living up to all that was spoken over him….

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29

It is only human, even Grinchy, to believe what we hear from others. Especially when it is repeated over and over. And if those things are negative, it is only human, even Grinchy, to withdraw and protect our hearts from more hurt. Sadly, though, withdrawal actually causes more pain and before we know it, we are spewing hurt on those around us. Even those who never inflicted it in the first place. We need people in our lives who are brave enough to go against the current of (negative) popular opinion and believe the best of us. In the more modern “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” Cindy Lou went to great lengths to climb Mount Crumpit, find Mr. Grinch, and invite him into their Christmas celebrations. “No matter how different a Who may appear, he will always be welcome with holiday cheer.” 

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Proverbs 25:11

She invited Mr. Grinch.

Cindy Lou made great effort to invite Mr. Grinch then she – shall we say – let the Holy Spirit do His work. OK, OK! I know I’m stretching things a little! My point is that we are not responsible to be the Holy Spirit or do His work for Him. But we are responsible to be kind; to speak truth and life to those around us; our words should be a benefit to those hearing them. It might take great effort on our part, but the pay-off in their lives is immeasurable and those words of truth work in partnership with the Holy Spirit’s work – shifting the trajectory of a life. Helping a “Grinch’s small heart grow three sizes that day.”

When we encounter people who seem to be living up to the lies that have been spoken over them, let’s be the ones who speak the Lord’s love in response. Just imagine if the horrible descriptions crooned in the Grinch song were replaced with melodies of truth, love, and the gentle whisper…

You are adored.