Christmas is known as the season for giving, and indeed it is. Not only do we give gifts, but we also give away smiles as we meet strangers on the street. We willingly drop our extra coins into the Salvation Army’s red buckets. We bake goodies and distribute them to our neighbors, pastors, co-workers, and friends. The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:3-4 that giving secretly is the best kind of giving. But when you do a kindness to someone, do it secretly – don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. And your Father who knows all secrets will reward you. (Living Bible)
From this verse came the idea of introducing a “mystery provider” or “MP” into the sequel of “Bound by Secrecy” that I am currently writing. This month, because it is the season for giving, I am choosing to give my readers a glimpse into a scene of my book. In this scene the town folk of the small town of Hooper are most curious about who among them might be the “mystery provider.” Enjoy the scene and hopefully I can “give” you the book in its entirety by the end of 2017.
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Bob was one of those patients that Doc wished every patient might resemble. He had a concern for others that went beyond the usual. It made him snicker as he remembered Laurel Reever complaining that it was faster going through the Wal-Mart check-out line in Kansas City on Christmas Eve than it was getting to the counter at the Co-op here in town. Bob had at least two or three questions to ask every customer. He wasn’t a busy body – just concerned.
Doc tucked the chart beneath his arm and entered the room. “Hey Bob. Seems as if you are following me around town or I’m following you.”
Bob grinned. “Things are sure abuzz over there at the Red Rooster today with all the talk of the mystery provider.”
“Ah, come on Bob. You’re the mystery man. Admit it. I won’t tell a soul. “
“I’m honored that you think so Doc, but it’s not me. With the way the world is going, it’s real nice to have something like this happening – it gives folks a reason to smile.”
Doc had to agree, and it would be just like Bob to do something to make folks happy. He’d done it in the past – like that frigid January day when he passed out wool socks to the road construction crew working on the old Sumalac Bridge down by the highway. Doc wasn’t convinced the mystery man wasn’t this guy sitting on his exam table; even if he denied it. It would be just like Bob to want to carry his game out a while longer and make a few more people happy. Doc could appreciate that. Maybe it was Bob, maybe not. But, ever since the various anonymous gifts started showing up around town, folks were smiling more. There was cheerful chatter and speculation about who the generous giver could be. The gifts weren’t expensive, but always useful to the person that received it. More times than not, the gift went to a person that needed a hand up in some way. The talk at the Red Rooster this morning revolved around the new axe handle that was left beside Jim Miner’s wood shed. Jim lived across the old tracks and made enough money cutting wood to keep food on the table. Somehow, the anonymous giver must have gotten wind that Jim’s old axe handle had finally split in two. Yesterday, Jim had carried the new custom made axe handle down Main Street, showing everyone how his name was engraved into the oak piece. It was finer than any axe handle a person could buy at Bomgaars Ranch Supply .
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This season, let’s consider giving an anonymous gift to someone that could use a hands up. There’s no more joyful giving than that which is given without an expectation.
Until next month…keep on readin’ and I’ll keep on writin.’