Each month GSSA encourages GSS Agents to focus their secret service missions/acts of kindness to assist a specific group. Last month it was Veterans and active service members in the military. December 2021’s focus group are Strangers. A stranger is someone you don’t know or with whom you are not familiar with. That could be someone in your neighborhood, grocery store, on the bus, someone from another country, a homeless person, people you walk by at the mall or a fellow employee in another department at work.
Most of us encounter strangers, people that are not family, friends, or co-workers, on a regular basis as we go about our daily life. We were trained as children by our parents not to talk to strangers. There is also a popular song by Rick Springfield that encourages us to “Don’t talk to Strangers.”
If you flip the script, you are a stranger to people who don’t know you. As humans we are often so preoccupied with our own concerns that we often don’t take the time to smile, talk to, or show kindness to people that we don’t know. Particularly at this time of year, we often get very caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. We forget that there are many strangers that are hurting who could use our love, compassion and generosity to help brighten their lives and circumstances.
Hebrews 13:1-2 (ESV) says: “Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Further, Hebrews 13:16 (ESV) says: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Most of us will demonstrate heroism, altruism and selflessness in response to a suffering stranger in an emergency situation, but we often fail to display the small daily acts of kindness to strangers that will help to restore people’s faith in God and humanity.
GSS Agents, let’s change that! This month as you go through the busyness of the season and celebrate with family, friends, and co-workers, take a moment to bring some joy into the life of a stranger by secretly blessing one this holiday season. You can complete one of the secret missions listed below or complete one of your own to secretly bless a stranger.
Give up a coveted parking spot at the mall to a stranger in an almost full parking lot.
Make a few gallon Ziploc bags full of goodies (snacks, toothbrush, toothpaste, socks, hand sanitizer, hair brush, wash cloth, etc.) purchased from a dollar store. Keep them in your car and give them out to the homeless when you see them on the streets when you’re out and about. No homeless in your area, drop them off at a homeless shelter or other local community organization.
Leave a book on the bus, train, airplane seat, at the doctor’s office, etc. for a stranger to enjoy.
Leave a note of encouragement in an envelope with $20.00 or a gift card on a stranger’s car.
Let a stranger who appears to be in a hurry at a busy store go ahead of you in line.
Donate some new or gently used stuffed animals or toys to your local police station.
Smile, say hello, and hold the door open for a stranger at a store/business establishment.
Send or drop off an anonymous note to praise/thank an employee at a store, business or service provider where you received great service.
Remember that your secret act of kindness can make a huge difference in the life of a stranger!
