Giving in Secret
I invite you to join me today for a few thoughts about thankfulness, which were prompted by a “secret” gift I received the day before Christmas. I hope my words inspire you to consider giving a “secret” gift to someone who is “needy” or may just need a bit of encouragement.
The “Secret” Gift
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed the matter of giving and said,
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:3 & 4 (ESV)
Now, I don’t consider myself to be among the “needy.” Though far from rich, God’s blessings to me have been abundant. Nevertheless, recently I was touched deeply by a gift given “in secret.”
Christmas Eve day, Ron checked our front porch for an Amazon delivery and instead came in with a gift, which he said he imagined was for me. The simple white gift bag upon which the words “thank you” were printed held a stoneware mug and two fancy tea balls. As I type these words, I am enjoying Lychee & Sunflower Blooming Bouquet Tea in the beautiful mug! What a fun and delicious treat!!
I am humbled and grateful for this gift. It reminds me of another one of Jesus’ teachings about giving I pray my gift-giver will experience:
give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38 (ESV)
In closing, I want to say a heartfelt “Thank You!” to the giver of this thoughtful, “secret” gift. Also, I’d like to share another Celtic Prayer with you from The Edge of Glory, a book of prayers in the Celtic Tradition complied by The Reverend Canon David Adam, former Vicar of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where Ron and I will make a pilgrimage this coming spring.
Thanksgiving
Thanks be to thee, for the gifts thou givest me
Each day, each night, on land and sea
Each weather, fair, wild or calm
For thine eye to keep from harm
For each hour, its ebb, its flow
For thine arm around me so
For each gift thanks be to thee
The best gift is thyself to me
“The Edge of Glory” (p. 12)
Blessings on your journey …
