The Surprise Package Company

Be especially careful when you are to do good so that you don’t make a performance out of it.   It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself.You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure – “playactors” I call them – treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds.  They get applause, true, but that’s all they’ll get.  When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks.  Just do it – quietly and unobtrusively.  That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, 

helps you out.

 Matthew 6:1-4 [The Message]

When I was a youngster, we had a book of Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories.  It was my favorite book growing up, particularly the story, The Surprise Package Company.  Two children, Will and Gwen, are bored and want something to do.  Will suggests that they form the Surprise Package Company.  “We’ll find people who need things done for them, and then make them wonder how the things happened.  I think this will be lots of fun.”

The kids drew up little notes to leave behind that read, The Surprise Package Company called today on a matter of business, or With love from The Surprise Package Company.   First, they cleaned the kitchen and washed the dishes for their mom.  Then they took a package of eggs to an elderly woman in their neighborhood.   

When their friend, Frank, came down with the mumps, they dropped a big box over the backyard fence – right where Frank could see it tumble down.  When his mother retrieved the package, Frank found 4 little boxes marked with the day he should open them.  Inside were paints, puzzles, books, and other things that would occupy his mind while he was sick. Where did these children get the money for these little gifts?  They didn't - they simply gave away their own things.

Giving to others with no expectation of recognition or return is a great deal of fun.  If no one knows who did them a good deed, there are no remarks such as, Why did you do this? or other questions regarding motives, or the thought that somehow they needed to "pay you back."  Giving for the pure pleasure of giving is one of the most uplifting things that we can do.  Surprise someone today.  Just don’t let them know that it was you!