SECRET

Gabe and I have kept a secret for a very long time. There are only 3 other people who know our secret. Dad, Ben and Aunt Cathy. The reason I am choosing to let our secret be known after all this time is is because the most AMAZING thing happened today and I feel like if I share our secret, other people will want to give it a try so they can know and feel the pride and absolute giddiness of how I feel right now. Once I tell you this secret you all have to promise to not talk about it with us- no discussion, No- I am proud of you Gabe. No- what a great thing- nothing- promise. You will embarrass me and Gabe will wonder how his secret got out- Everyone understand?- EVER- OK so here is our secret. Gabe and I have been secretly buying people lunch around town all winter long. When we go to lunch we are doing spy work the whole time- finding our subject, listening to conversations, asking wait staff questions... TODAY- I was able to see the benefits of giving from the heart and teaching our children to do what Jesus wants us to do which is to give of our time and ourselves and also to teach our children this.
Gabe's day started by getting 4 shots, 2 in each leg(for kindergarten). It was not pleasant, but his reward was pizza at Target as well as being able to spend some birthday money. So after picking out a "big boy" watch and a Bakugan. We sat down for lunch. We were discussing how he still had 20 dollars left but we will save it for later you never know when something will come along you have been wanting. We had just finished our GIGANTIC chocolate chip cookie (I told him it was because he was so brave, but really I just wanted it.) and got up to leave when we noticed our subject. Man. Mid 50's- Spreading butter on saltines- no drink (We are pros at spotting) I casually mentioned to Gabe that we need to sneak around and buy him a pizza. The man at the counter was not comfortable with our plan(we have learned some are not) so we have to ditch the "secret" part of our plan and just be bold. So we just asked the man. Can we buy you lunch? He was extremely grateful and said just a pizza will be fine. Oh how this humbles my heart! Gabe had other plans for him-
This boy- my 5 year old child, said he wanted to use his money now to buy the man a "feast" This is the part that makes me giddy. GABE went through the line picking out items- pizza, bread sticks, drink and THEN took his five extra dollars and gave it to this man as he explained (my mom lets me keep the coins you can have this). This man was so grateful and I was sooo proud which is why I have to tell the world. We have kept this a secret because we do not do it so people will tell us how great we are- Hey- we already know this. Some of the fun IS the SECRET. We do not do it to please ourselves even though the feeling is pure joy. The reason I am choosing to tell you all now because I want everyone to try this- It is simple- You spend what you have. It can be someones lunch, a coffee, it does not have to be big!!! It is a reminder of how we act (both good AND bad) will be reflected in our kids. Buying someone a coffee or lunch secretly, sure doesn't make us great but it does show our children(who we think are not looking)- that God is living within us and reaching out to others is a part of God's plan for us so others will know that although their circumstances may not be the best at this moment there are good people who use God as their example- that person may be only 5- but he knows- and now they do too! So Gabe and I challenge you all- do it- you will never regret it!