Make the Ordinary Extraordinary

Can there be any value to doing good works in secret? There must be because Jesus commanded us, “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. Then you Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:3-4) In the past when I have read these verses, I always thought it was a safety net to keep us from becoming prideful and ruining the gift because of our attitude or desire for acknowledgment or accolades. That was until this morning. I always go to the second-hand store to get sad little stuffed animals for my dogs to play with. They don’t care if their fur is matted and worn and they could care less if they are missing their bows and ribbons. They know when I open the door that the toys in the bag are theirs and they get so excited. This morning, I was playing tug with one exceptionally well-loved stuffed toy and I pulled a bit too hard. I heard the rip immediately but knew I just couldn’t throw my puppy’s favorite toy in the trash. Instead, I carefully emptied the stuffing so she could still play with it and not make a mess. As I was emptying the stuffing, a bit of red caught my eye. There, buried in the middle of a mass of fluff no one is supposed to see, lie a little red fabric heart. Whoever made the stuffed animal had to have known that no one was ever going to find the little heart, and yet it was still lovingly placed inside. I couldn’t help but keep this tiny treasure. It sits on my computer now and reminds me of the tiny blessing hidden throughout our day. Now when I read Matthew 6:3-4 I will always think of this tiny fabric heart and smile. Can a good deed done in secret do any good? Absolutely. Maybe even more then if it had not been hidden. Anyone can make a stuffed animal, but few care enough to give it a heart. Don’t just make something grand – give it a heart, hide it inside everything you do. We don’t need to see the response to our good works, just believe God will use them to bring a smile to someone’s face. (Written by Keegan Harkins.)