Daily Devotional for December 13, 2020
Secret Service
Hannah and Gabe waited patiently while Mom unlocked the door to their apartment building. After working at the store all day, Mom walked wearily up the stairs. “I sure am tired tonight, and my feet hurt,” she said. “I wish I didn’t have to work on Saturdays. Did you kids have a good day at Gina’s house?”
“It was fine,” said Hannah. “Did you hear from Dad yet?” Their father had driven to a nearby city, hoping to find work.
“Yes. He had a busy day too,” said Mom, “but no promise of a job yet.” She sighed. “Well, I’d better get dinner started.”
Gabe sniffed the air. “Where is that good smell coming from?”
When they reached the top of the stairs, they saw a box outside the door to their apartment. Mom opened it, and the delightful smell of potatoes and ham became stronger. “Who could have done this?” Mom wondered.
“Look! Here’s a card!” exclaimed Hannah. “It says, ‘May God bless you and give you strength. All good gifts come from Him.’ It isn’t signed, but the card has our church name and logo printed on it.”
“But who at church made all this?” Gabe asked. “We have to figure it out so we can thank them.”
“That was my first thought too,” said Mom as she carried the box inside and set it on the table. “But then I realized that whoever did this doesn’t want us to know who they are. It wasn’t done for praise or thanks. It was done as a service to God to encourage us and show us His love. I, for one, am very grateful.”
“Well, I’d at least want a thank-you if I did all that work,” said Hannah.
“Me too,” chimed in Gabe.
Mom smiled. “It’s nice to be appreciated for what we do, but this service was done in secret so all our thanks would go to God. Like the note says, all good things come from Him. Let’s thank Him for sending this person to help us remember that. He’s the one who will reward them, not us.”
Gabe grinned. “Okay. I’ll set the table, and then we can thank God for the food—and for the secret servant who brought it to us!” • Catherine Runyon
How about you?
Can you do a kind deed for someone? Would you be willing to let God receive all the thanks and praise? Acts of service done in secret help bring people’s attention to God and His love and care. Why not be one of God’s secret servants? Think of a secret service project you can do today. God will reward your faithful service and use it to point people to Him.
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