Free $50 for the gas station attendant - the kids loved it

I wanted to share what our family did on Christmas Eve.  We put $50 in a Christmas card (we included a "stealth servant" card as well) and as a family we discussed if there was anyone in particular that we wanted to surprise.  We couldn't really come up with anyone so we decided to give it to the local attendant and the convenience store near our house.  When we got there, it was already closed for Christmas eve so we redirected and found that the gas station was still open at Wal-Mart.  My two young sons were excited to be involved so we all got out of the car and went to the window.  We handed the attendant the card, said Merry Christmas! and went home.  While it was great to surprise a stranger like that, it was even better to show our kids how giving truly is better than receiving.  I was able to explain to them how the good feeling they felt from giving was better than if they had both received $25 radio controlled cars.  They both agreed! (at least for a few minutes anyway).

Anonymous

I gave a stranger a free tow!

I was driving around the mall parking lot on Christmas eve and saw a tow-truck hooking up to an old Ford Explorer.  The idea popped into my head that I should pay for the tow for whoever it was.  I debated it in my head for a second and was about to drive by when I noticed that the tow-truck had "Jesus Lives" with crosses all over it.  That sealed the deal, so I drove up and asked the tow-truck driver if I could pay for the tow.  He said "Sure, do you know this guy?"  I said "No, it was just something I want to do.  It's Christmas!".  He shrugged as if to say "okay" and went about his work.  After that I met the owner of the vehicle.  He was from Kansas and his master cylinder had failed.  We talked a bit and he thanked me very much.  I paid the tow bill (which was only $40, I was glad the weren't hauling it back to Kansas!) and as I was paying the tow truck driver shook his head in disbelief, saying "I've been doing this a long time and I've never seen this before".  It was great - I made both of these guys happy as well as another bystander who witnessed the whole thing.  The only downside was that I forgot to hand him a "stealth servant" card.

Anonymous

The Real Reason to Serve!

At Christmas, we are often reminded to "remember the reason for the season".  I want to echo those sentiments for all of you "stealth servants" out there.  I am currently reading a challenging book by John Piper called "Don't Waste Your Life".  In the book, John states that if we don't see and experience joy in God, "we will probably turn God-centered motives into a kind of benevolence that tries to do good for man without knowing what the greatest good really is-namely, all-satisfying pleasure in God." 
While I want anyone and everyone to feel the joy of giving selflessly to others, it is more important to convey the love and joy of our God to the people we serve.  After all, a free coffee at the coffee shop, or a surprise "Secret Santa" gift is great, but what people really need is to know and love God. 

Merry Christmas to all of you! Be generous in all that you have and keep your stories coming.
God Bless,
Stealth Servant

PS - If you are interested in reading "Don't Waste Your Life".  It is available in .pdf format here:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/OnlineBooks/ByTitle/1593_Dont_Waste_Your_Life/

Secret Santa Opportunities

Just a quick reminder to the stealth servants out there:  Christmas is a great time to start the "habit" of doing nice things for others.  This time of year there are always plenty of various needs out there that we can take care of for someone else.  Our family has always made it a point to anonymously give some money with a card to someone who might be in need.  Often we didn't even know the people.  You can leave the card on their doorstep, car window, etc.  Remember, it doesn't matter how much you can give, its definitely the thought that counts, so quit thinking about it and "Just do it!" Go out and Bless somebody and you'll find that you are Blessed too.

Stealth Servant

Free $5 at the Convenience store

I stopped at the convenience store on a business trip.  I had been thinking about "StealthServant" stuff and I decided to try it.  After I paid for my snacks, I gave the attendant $5 and a "StealthServant" card and told her to pass it on to the next customer.  I didn't stick around to see who got it, but it didn't matter, I felt good for the rest of my trip.

Anonymous