The other day Charlotte prayed and thanked God that “her heart growed.” I think it’s from watching the Grinch when his heart grew three sizes, but still – she makes a solid point.
It is God that creates in us a clean heart (Psa. 51:10), it is God that replaces our stony heart with a blood-pumping one (Ezek. 36:26), it is only by God that our hearts could grow even one size, let alone three (Rom. 5:5), and we should always be thanking God for those facts (1 Thes. 5:16-18).
Not bad theology for a 4-year old.
According to the good doctor, after the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day he also “found the strength of ten Grinches, plus two!” I know this is the Gospel according to Geisel, but it is worth noting: more love = more strength. I think that is true.
Jonathan Swift said, “I am afraid we have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.” I think this is also true.
The more our hearts grow, the stronger we get. The stronger we get, the more we can help others who aren’t so strong. Isn’t that what Jesus had in mind with the new commandment (John 13:34)?
How’s your heart? Two sizes too small? Or up three sizes? How has that growth (or lack thereof) been shown to others: in hate, or in love? Have you prayed and thanked God that your heart growed?