“I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart.” Psalm 119:32
A Heart Too Small
It happened several years ago in December. Christmas was a few weeks away AGAIN! For some reason, I have always dreaded the Christmas season, even after becoming a Christian.
Anyway, this particular evening my husband and I were planning to have his adult daughter (my step-daughter) over for the evening to visit and to watch one of her favorite childhood TV programs together, How the Grinch Stole Christmas* (the first animated version). I had no idea what it was about, but I was ready to tolerate the time together.
So with my “Bah, humbug” attitude we turned the TV on at the appropriate time and the cute little movie began. As I sat there on the couch, my mind was having its own “movie” as I thought, “Oh, it must be so nice to have a sweet little childhood memory with her Dad. If I would have had a loving father, maybe I would be as smart and cute as her.” Resentment, bitterness, jealousy, and self-pity were the main players in my cast of characters!
Soon it got to the part when the narrator was questioning why the Grinch hated Christmas and all the joyful sounds coming from the valley below. Suddenly, I heard loud and clear:
“The Grinch hated Christmas!
The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why.
No one quite knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just 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.”
That just stopped me in my tracks! I don’t remember anything else about the story that night. I just sat there thinking (and being convicted by the Holy Spirit) that my problem was my own heart! I made the decision then and there to allow the Lord to do something about it.
I’m not sure why I still struggle with the holidays a little, but the Lord has truly enlarged my heart regarding my relationship with “our” daughter. We love each other very much, which is such a blessing to both of us, her dad, and my heavenly Father!
We have since bought the DVD and it has become one of my favorite Christmas stories!
Father, thank You for knowing what we need to hear and when we need to hear it, taking pains to break into a small, hard heart so You can expand it to love. I know You’re not finished with me. Keep me hearing and responding to Your faithful love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I learned to love this movie with watching it all year with my 3 year old granddaughter. Our Lord uses many methods to reach into our hearts! Great sharing.
Amen sweet sister:)
I really needed this. Infact, I am in tears. This is my first Christmas without either one if my parents and the fact that I am having multiple unknown medical issues of my own. I have never been more afraid for my life as I have been this last month. #prayers needed
Asking for prayer is the beginning of healing. As we pray for you, talk to Him directly. He wants to hear from you and wants you to hear from Him how very much He loves you and to assure you that He is with you. You can trust Him, He is faithful. You are not alone. I pray that you will feel His presence.