Posts Tagged ‘The Grinch’

It would be better if when offering people advice, we’d, instead, offer them stories. I tried to think if I ever remember Jesus giving someone what we typically would call “advice.” He told people parables, or stories, if you will. Stories resonate with the human-ness of an individual or individuals. We understand them better because we can live within the story the person is telling us. When Christ told parables, the characters represented something other then themselves, and you could see yourself as the prodigal son or the rich man (even if Jesus was trying to paint a picture of something else entirely). Also, the individual could see themselves playing a different character within the same story. For instance, in accordance with the holiday, have you ever watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas (I prefer, the Jim Carey version)? At times, you see yourself as the Grinch; other times, the Whos; other times, Max the dog (?, or at least, I have). Depending upon where you are at the moment, you could be anyone of them.

So, next time your friend is struggling with an addiction or a sickness, put down your college psych textbook and offer him or her a story to ease his or her pain.