Advent Cards Day 21: The Grinch
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Isaac slammed the door and began kicking off his boots while grumbling under his breath.
âEverything all right?â his mom asked.
âNot according to Mr. Hanson,â Isaac spat out. âWhatever I do for him is never good enough! I mean, it took me an hour to shovel his sidewalk, and what do I get for it? âYou missed the second step, Isaac. You didnât get all the way to edge.â Mr. Hanson is a total grinch! This is the last time I help him out.â
Just then Isaacâs sister, Holly, came bouncing into the room. âMom, the green popcorn is done, and the green soda for our grinch punch is cold. I canât wait to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas with our special treats!â
âI know a real grinch next door,â Isaac grumbled.
âIsaac,â Mom said gently, âI know Mr. Hanson can be difficult, but remember that he doesnât know Jesus. The only way heâs ever going to change is if he allows Jesus to come into his life and transform him. Only God can make that happen, but we can point Mr. Hanson to Jesus by showing him love and joy, even when he doesnât deserve it.â
âKind of like how the Grinchâs heart grew three sizes when he saw how joyful the Whos were even after he stole all their Christmas gifts and decorations?â asked Holly.
âExactly,â said Mom. âEven when Mr. Hanson is mean, that doesnât have to kill your joyâit actually gives you a chance to show him the love of Jesus.â
âHmm,â said Isaac, âI never thought about it like that before. I didnât realize that just by shoveling snow and being kind to Mr. Hanson I was allowing the love of Jesus to shine through me. Iâll try to remember that the next time I shovel his sidewalk.â
âIâm glad to hear there will be a next time,â Mom said as she gave Isaac a squeeze. âAnd now itâs time to watch . . .â
âHow the Grinch Stole Christmas!â Holly squealed.
âI think Iâll watch that movie with a whole new perspective tonight,â Isaac said with a smile.
So how about you?
When you have grinchy people in your life, do you still try to treat them with love and kindness? When we show others love and joy, it points them to the source of our love and joyâJesus! He gives us the strength to be joyful in any circumstance. Trust Him to help you joyfully do good for others, even when they least deserve it.
Key Verse
1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”
Key Thought
Joy points others to Jesus.
Further Reading
1 Thessalonians 5:13-17