I pulled in the driveway and eyed something on the steps.
A bag. A large, heavy grocery bag.
Curiosity piqued, I hauled it inside the house and peered inside.
Goodies and groceries, soup cans and staples.
I opened up the enclosed envelope and a gift card to our local grocer floated to the table. I searched to see who sent this generous gift, but the card had no signature.
Anonymous.
A bag of blessings freely given with no expectation of anything in return.
Tears rolled down my face as a steady stream of emotions washed over me. From despair and embarrassment to pure unadulterated relief and gratitude, I knew that during our time of great need, the Lord met us through someone tangibly living out, “It is better to give than to receive.”
That first period of unemployment took place more than ten years ago, and that gift of anonymity cemented a critical, spiritual life lesson in my memory.
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” Isaiah 44:3
That bag of groceries was not about the gift card. It symbolized hope.
Someone offered my family a sip of water during our drought, a Holy Spirit offering poured forth through pastries and produce.
That blessing also modeled for me an additional element of importance.
A heart of generosity occurs in varying forms, but all forms of giving aren’t necessarily equal.
After that unexpected gift, I began rethinking just how often I gave of my time, talents or resources expecting something in return. It’s hard to admit, but I didn’t even realize that craving because it crept in subtly, masked by “doing good.”
Were affirmation, appreciation, attention, all possible reactions from my gifts, an underlying motive? I didn’t like that heart possibility.
As I began seeking out tangible ways to bless others, I realized it wasn’t always possible to give anonymously, nor was that necessary, but sharing gifts, whether of time, encouragement or resources, in an anonymous manner became part of my biblical sanctification process.
I wanted to renew my mind on the act of giving, on generosity of heart with a “just because” mentality. In order to do that, it was necessary for me to temporarily remove the possibility of reciprocal appreciation.
I desired to share the joy of giving that was once modeled for us, and while there were so many ways to implement this like sending a note or buying coffee for the person behind me in the drive through, we first decided on a simple “Blessing Basket.”
For years, we drove past a house near our church and watched as an older gentleman meticulously manicured his lawn through sweltering NC summers. We nicknamed him the “Nice Lawn Guy” and spoke of him often.
He fertilized. He weeded. He poured life into that yard and it showed. He tended beauty.
Since our lawn is in a constant state of chaos, I’ve used his exemplary work ethic as a weekly life lesson. For years, Mr. Nice Lawn Guy taught our children many lessons on perseverance, dedication and a stick-to-it attitude.
Although we watched him from afar, he didn’t know how much his small actions ministered to us. Actions that he did on a daily basis without any realization that they mattered to someone else.
He was completely unaware.
So we decided to put our appreciation into action and implement this “Blessings” basket tradition.
The purpose was to demonstrate gratitude, appreciation and/or compassion for someone in an anonymous way with out expecting anything in return. That’s really hard for children, and as I’ve admitted, adults too, but a purposeful way to help build character in our kids.
Even though this first occurred years ago, the memory of giving to the “Good Lawn” guy still warms my heart.
I began by printing off this simple template and using some pretty construction paper to form the basket. I wrote a small note explaining his nickname and I shared a few examples of the life lessons he had demonstrated to our children by his hard work ethic.
Our kids put little notes in the basket thanking him for his beautiful lawn and flowers. They each found small gifts to share – candy, a garden candle and our youngest daughter added her prized dolly paraphernalia, from which I am sure he got a chuckle.
We scoped out his house, assumed no one was home, and left the basket hanging on his door. (Think five, young, 007s in action.) As we jumped back in the van, he ran out of the house.
This was not supposed to happen, but the joy that this man showered on my children will be a memory forever etched into our framework.
You would have thought he had won the lottery, and it demonstrated to our children that one of our family mottos, “It’s the Little Things that are the Big Things,” rings true. For more than twenty minutes, we shared life with this stranger, this Good Lawn Guy and after we left, our kids couldn’t stop talking about how much their choice to give ministered to him.
We’ve had opportunities to do similar things since then, such as sharing food baskets with refugees or making care packages for the homeless, but it all started with that grocery bag of blessings on our doorstep.
It’s been a few years since we’ve actually put together simple Blessings Baskets, and our family is going to take time this spring season to share in a tangible way.
Won’t you join us?
Remember, it may be as simple as creating something frugal like my blessings baskets from here, filling it with goodies, and leaving them for others without identifying yourself.
True generosity: giving without expecting anything in return.
Have fun getting creative. I have some more crafty ideas for these blessings baskets over at my site, along with the template. Hang one on a doorknob, leave it on a desk, or place it on a car seat.
I can’t wait to hear about your experiences. Will you share in the comments?
Family Legacy Leaver, Jen Schmidt, shares her journey over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.
Leave a Comment
Zu says
Thank you so much for sharing :)) The Lord spoke to me through your post. I’ve been burdened to bless a certain family in church and the idea of giving anonymously is definitely how God wants me to do it!
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
You are so welcome, Zu! I can’t wait to hear all about it. 🙂
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Jen,
What a wonderful and fun way to give as Christ teaches us to give – with love and to the least of these. I can only imagine the fun your family had delivering that basket to the nice lawn guy. When we bless others, we honor God and it also brings us a joy that is a real jolt of happiness. Christ knew what He was doing when He commanded us to give to others…He knows what a blessing it is for both parties involved. You are just the inspiration I needed this morning…thinking up my next 007 mission 🙂
Blessings,
Bev
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
007 missioners unite! We are the new breed of James Bond. 🙂
Debbie says
These are wonderful ideas!
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
That’s a really neat idea, Jennifer! I would love to do this sometime!
Karen says
When my husband was unemployed a few years ago, we were the recipients of great kindnesses both big and small that carried our souls through that time. It propelled me to keep my eyes open for others in similar need…as a matter of fact doing one such thing was on my list for today as well! THANKS for the blessing!
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
It really makes a mark, doesn’t it?
Crystal Stine says
Love this! Going to put my kiddo to work helping me put your printable together & will probably fill them with chocolates for my (in)RL meetup gals 😉
Sue S says
I get the same joy when I give out prayer quilts. I include a card telling the person that I’ve prayed for them each step in the making of a rag quilt. Most of them are sent through other people who have requested the quilt, so I get to hear the receiving stories afterwards.
Jennifer Kostick says
Throughout the year 2014, I am encouraging my blog community to give to others more. I named the challenge #GoGive. This is a wonderful idea for the next Go Give challenge in April. I’m going to link my readers over here and challenge them to #GoGive blessing baskets for spring! Thanks so much for this idea!!!
Amanda J says
I am a consultant with Thirty-One Gifts and had a friend approach me with an idea this week. She and a friend have both been blessed with meals from their community during different times of need and wanted to find a way to pay it forward. They are going to be ordering a couple of our large thermal bags, having them embroidered with some cute saying, filling them with a meal, and leaving it on someone’s doorstep. They will include a laminated card explaining that they wanted to bless them in this way and request that they pay it forward by doing the same for someone else. My friend wants this to be completely anonymous…so much so that she’s ordering with me because I’m out of town, don’t know any of her local friends, and nobody will be able to track it. 🙂 I love this idea and will be sharing it with others…what a neat way to bless someone!
karyn says
I do things as well. Took someone for her long awaited Indian Curry and it was the Rugby Tens in the club. But, we found a table by the pool and just enjoyed the afternoon together. Even with my husband. We drove her home and she blew me a kiss of thanks. She’s seventy-five. She cannot walk well and just lives in a room. A tiny tiny room. We are getting her a DVD player so she can worship and a toaster.
Small blessings are good and I do them all the time.
Met up with this family who has a son who will need to be taken care of for the rest of his life.
The blessings of the LORD do come in the most unexpected moments and in little ways that are really big really. No small. In the end.
🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FxaUYjRtkc
Sandra Crittenden says
I have been out a job since 2008. I am helping my sister because she’s sick. I do not like asking anyone for the things I need but I give you all that I have. The Lord is showing me that to depend on Him for what I need and to ask. I have no money but to me it’s not about the money it’s about taking care of my sister as the Lord ask me to. I thank you for all the encouraging words I read.
Frances says
Aww, I love this! As a caregiver to seniors, I got a little choked up thinking of how much that must have meant to Nice Lawn Guy. How special. Cheerful giving works both ways, I think!
Mothering From Scratch says
{Kathy} We just can’t have enough 007’s!!! Kids just need the opportunity to do good deeds. This proves it.
A new mom Blessing Basket is the best. It doesn’t have to be a full blown meal for the family, but a couple of healthy snacks and a decent refillable water bottle is a good choice.
sondra says
Wow, the Lord reminds me to touch other with my gift…cause I remember I didn’t have anything and the give me himself to us. I am thankful for my gifts to bless others…
Rhonda Quaney says
What a beautiful idea. Thank you for sharing the resources and for being a “legacy leaver.”
Joyce Miller says
My heart is so full! Thank You for such a Sweet Post! My husband and I in the last 10 years were lied to and cheated out of a business, losing everything including our retiremet. My husband’s prostate cancer returned, and our youngest son has become our (Jesus’) “Prodical”. We are majorly in debt from such a loss. After holding all this in my mind and heart for several years Jesus has shown me in many different ways, gently speaking, that HE wants to be #1 in my mind and heart not the problems. The problems were and still are toooo big for me to solve and Now they are in His hands and not mine. My husband is 65 and trusting daily for Jesus’ “daily Mercy”, giving he and I strength, resolve, faith “in what we can not see”, and we are paying our bills! Thank God! I Am however Ready for Refreshment! ; ) ♥ your posts!
Beth WIlliams says
Joyce,
Prayers for you and your husband. May God continue to bless you and shower you with His most tender mercies. I pray your son has a heart change soon and comes back to God and you.
Father God,
Please give strength, courage to this family. Keep showing them that you are in charge and will provide for their EVERY NEED! Help their son to come back to you and them. Heal the father of his cancer, if it is your will.
AMEN!
Jennifer Camp says
Jennifer, you remind me how we each so much desire to be known–and how blessing another like this communicates that they are valued, desired, seen. I love this. Thank you so much for your encouragement.
Penny says
Jen,
This was such a joy to read.What a truly kind, sweet gesture ……
Thank-you so much for sharing this with us and reminding us of a such an important value of life……
Penny
Beth WIlliams says
Jen,
In the past I have been the recipient of many gifts from friends. Last year a church friend fell & hurt his shoulder. He would be out of work 8 months for recovery. Meanwhile his wife had to take a second job. When this hit me I told my husband that we needed to do something for them. We got a card and sent them a large sum of money–anonymously. It felt good to do that.
A few weeks ago I made a meal for a church friend who’s having trouble with both parents. I felt like she needed the time to rest and not have to cook.
Love your idea of blessing baskets and teaching children to give without expecting anything in return. They need to learn these lessons early on in life. It helps build character.
Blessings 🙂
Amy says
This post made me cry. My dad was a nice lawn guy. He passed away 2 years ago. My mom can’t care for the lawn like he did, so a little bit of beauty left this world when my dad entered his eternal home. Many people gave praise to him, but no one ever went as far as your family. I know how much it would have meant to him. I applaud you for doing something so thoughtful. You’ve given me something to reach for!