Today I drove the get-away car for my May Day basket delivery crew. I parked in stranger’s driveways, hid the van behind bushes and spun out on gravel all in the name of “secret giving!” I’m not sure where the May Day custom began, but the “give and run” tradition is a favorite at the Bruxvoort house. Without a doubt, the thrill of May Day is the challenge of giving without being caught.
Yesterday as I read the sixth chapter of Matthew during my morning devotions, I decided Jesus probably loves May Day just like we do! After all, his suggestions for secret giving align well with our first-day of-May fun. “But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything,will reward you.”
-Matthew 6:3
After meditating on that scripture, I decided that this year we would do more than just transform a dozen styrofoam cups into candy-filled baskets; this year, I would issue my own May Day Challenge. So, this morning as the whole family sat around the breakfast table, I slipped away and placed five brightly-colored baskets on the front step. (I guess I am called away from mealtimes so often to help with potty breaks, change diapers or find another roll of paper towels that no one noticed I’d left the table!) I rang the doorbell, slipped back through the garage door and stepped into the kitchen in time to see the kids dancing about with their personalized May Day baskets in hand.
“Wow! Who left us these?” Hannah wondered aloud.
“These aren’t from the neighbors,” Liz quipped.
After the kids unpacked a few dollar store treasures and a king-sized pack of their favorite candy, they discovered a five dollar bill wrapped up in a piece of white paper. As they unfolded the paper, the Bruxvoort crew read their challenge:
In the tradition of giving On this first day of May,
Use the money in your basket To brighten someone’s day. Ask the Lord to show you Just who could use a lift, Then bless them with the thrill Of an unexpected gift. But here’s the May Day Challenge: Don’t get caught when you give, For passing blessings on in secret Is the BEST WAY TO LIVE!
I could see the wheels turning as the kids began to think about the challenge set before them. We’ve established May 31 as our deadline for secret giving. I can’t wait to see what the right hands do when their left hands aren’t looking! Of course, if my handful is totally secretive, I may never know!
Today’s Treasure: How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands…They share freely and give generously to those in need. -Psalm 112: 1,9
I love this idea! We had a GRAND time delivering May Day baskets this year, too! Way to go!
~Robin