A PIECE OF MY HEART...oscar the grouch

HAVE YOU EVER ENCOUNTERED

someone who in your mind was a total grouch?

For years, I can remember watching Sesame Street with my kids when they were young. One of my kids favorite characters was OSCAR the GROUCH. Oscar has come to be a most beloved American icon thru show biz, but that hasn't helped this most famous grouch to make his attitude more pleasant.

The most amazing thing about Oscar the Grouch is not the fact that he insults everyone he meets, nor is it amazing that he lives in a trash can. (by the way...I never understood where he got all of that trash that he threw out from his can???) The most amazing thing to me is HOW Oscar got his name.

In the early days of Sesame Street, Jim Henson and the Sesame Street director, Jon Stone would meet together at a Manhattan restaurant to discuss the show. The restaurant was called, "Oscar's Tavern". Consistently, the two were waited on by a man who was rude and grouchy. This waiter made such an impact on the two that he became famous (and probably didn't know it) thru the character of Oscar the Grouch.

I read the history of the show some time ago, and recently when I was waited upon at a restaurant by a seemingly unfriendly waitress - I remembered this story. God reminded me how important attitude is! As a Christian, we represent Jesus - in everything that we do. If we decide to be a "grouch" for the day - this will be the witness for Christ that will be displayed for all to see.

PROVERBS 15:15 " When a man is gloomy, everything seems to go wrong; when he is cheerful, everything seems right."

We all have "bad" days - but with God's help, we can control our feelings and behavior. If a television producer was watching you ...

• what kind of character would they model after you?
• Would your Christianity be seen?

May we all watch our attitude - someone may be watching!

AND THAT'S A PIECE OF MY HEART TODAY;