God & a Grinch Suit

WHEN GOD USES OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY MEASURES TO DEMONSTRATE HIS EXTRAORDINARY CARE

As we’ve entered into a new year, one intentional discipline I’ve committed to carry into it is the discipline of remembering.

I often find myself obsessing over the next best thing or being trapped in an idealistic mindset… thinking I’ll surely “get there” if I simply work hard enough, perform well enough, or miraculously fall into some perfectly manicured environment for all of my (many) dreams to unfold and become realities.

What I want in this new year is to trust the God of the universe with every small and big detail of my life, believing that even in what seems mundane and minimal, He cares about greatly because He created me for fellowship with Him.

This Christmas season, I was reminded of the gentle care of His children through something as silly as a Grinch suit.

Yes, you read that right.

A Grinch suit.

This one, to be exact…

Let’s back up about 7-8 years, though…

See, I’ve always been a fan of Jim Carrey’s “The Grinch”. If you ask me, it’s the best role he’s ever played. It’s just absolutely SILLY, and I love silly.

I remember when they rolled in the television at school for us to watch it right before Christmas break in the early 2000s. I giggled uncontrollably and, as a theatre geek, was mesmerized by his performance, albeit ridiculous as it was.

As an adult years later, and with “Grinchmas” trends on the horizon, I decided I needed a Grinch costume.

But then I looked at the prices online, and figured I better table that idea. There was just no sense in spending money on something I’d wear once a year, you know?

Every year, for YEARS, I told my mom or my husband or my coworkers, “One day, I am going to invest in a good Grinch costume! I’ve gotta have one!”

As a teacher, I would use my “Grinch voice” to teach lessons the week leading up to Christmas break; that’s how serious I was about my adoration of this silly, ridiculous character. But hey, it brought lots of students smiles and was a special way to connect with them, so I can’t say I regret the nonsense.

Fast forward to 2025. It was late October or early November when I had been praying for a few weeks that God would open a door for me to use my creativity in some way to make a little extra money for the holiday season. With three kiddos, classroom party fees, teacher gifts, and all of the expenses that tend to come with the last couple months of a year, I was praying hard that God would provide SOME good idea. Wreath-making again? Designing Christmas cards? Voice lessons? Squeeze in some additional online workshops? HELP, Lord.

And one night, He brought back to memory a commercial I saw:

It was a Ring doorbell commercial, or some brand similar, and a jolly old Santa was looking through the ring camera and wishing kids “Merry Christmas!”

I’d seen that commercial and completely forgotten about it until this night at nearly 10:00 p.m.

My brain’s next series of thought: Well, that sure would be a cute and creative way to make a little extra money this seaon! But…I’m incapable of being a convincing Santa Claus……..howeverrrrrrr…..I AM CAPABLE OF BEING THE GRINCH!?!

Immediately, I texted my mom, “I think I have an idea! I think I’m going to finally invest in that Grinch suit!”

But then it gets better….

Right before I was going online to drop a couple hundred dollars, all while just hoping I could have enough interest to make it back and then some…a thought to look on Marketplace came from above. (You can’t convince me this wasn’t the Lord.)

So I type in “Grinch suit for sale” on Marketplace…

and…

ONE Grinch suit appears.

And that Grinch suit is only 20-30 minutes from me.

BUT WAIT…it gets even BETTER.

My short fingers message the owner so quickly, “Hi! Is this still available?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think it would be okay for someone short?”

“Yes!”

“Is it in good condition?”

“I just bought a building to start a nutrition shop and found this in the back, completely boxed up, sitting by itself on a shelf….

I don’t know that it has ever been used…”

ONLY THE LORD.

It was like a little gift straight from Him.

I’d waited, and in His time…He provided.

I immediately go to brainstorming and designing advertisements to release Grinch-on-the-Geaux. (We are form Louisiana, so there’s really no other way to spell “Go” when you’re doing something like this, you know…?

The next day, people began to sign up for me to wreak a little “Holiday Havoc” in their homes, at their parties, etc.!

By December 21st, I had visited ~ 40 homes and made appearances at over 10 private parties. It was an absolute EXHAUSTING yet INCREDIBLE experience! To see the joy of people, the excitement on kids’ faces (sorry for those who were terrified), and the general enjoyment of families made my heart BURST!

And every single time a new sign up would roll in, I would whisper, “Thank you, Lord.”

Because He did it.

He provided.

He always does.

And He’ll use ANYTHING to bring Himself glory…

Even a Grinch suit.