A little review...

One week into #40acts is a good time for some review of what has happened so far.


I took the opportunity to look back at the two lists I drew up on March 1st and check against them how I am developing in having a more generous heart. Certainly I have been happy to share my creative skills with others: a planter for my wife (possibly doesn't count as I had said I would make one some time ago, cakes for others and another little project that I hope will be beneficial to some of the dog walkers in the area; made a small donation to a charity that supports prisoners families.


Also I looked at how I had been generous, or otherwise, with my time and emotion...


I have found that over the last few days my emotional connection with myself is more 'open', possibly even feeling a little raw at moments. I was moved deeply by the team prayers we shared yesterday in our office. My thoughts have turned frequently to my past when I was extremely selfish and hurt others. Lesson learned: don't act that way again.


Am I spending more time with others - not intentionally but the time I am spending is more intentional (if that makes sense!) I am paying more attention to the community that I am part of and today I am especially looking out for those from whom I am different: different faith, different skin colour, different 'style', different interests.


Always enriched by diversity I look forward to making some new connections and friendships that could potentially be longer lasting - I pray!


One of the important lessons learned is that even as I look through those original lists other things occur to me, other ways I am able to be generous - or withhold generosity. Equally I am aware that this is not a ticklist exercise, it is about a changing attitude to all I have and recognising that I only have it by the grace that God has shown me.

So here's the thing...

Wow - what a few days doing #40acts!


Firstly there was an 'off grid' day - no real problem with laying my phone on one side so I can engage with the local community - but I did really discover how much I use it for all sorts of things: diet, exercise, Dr Google (obviously), Social Media, music - but seriously felt better for laying to one side even if only for a few hours. Definitely something I will be doing again.


Today I will be avoiding staying behind my desk to communicate - so I'll be getting up, engaging, phoning, shouting across the office - you get the idea! Having consciously done this before I know how easy it is to slip back into the bad habits of just doing everything from a distance - so today is the start of a new approach: again!!


All of that is fine but for the fact that yesterday the challenge was around engaging with prisoners through one of the prison charities. Upon reading the challenge yesterday morning I was transported back twenty years or so to Cardiff when myself and Catherine were ministering principally to prisoners families: wives, girlfriends and parents and so on. How their lives were imprisoned just as much as their loved ones was something that became apparent very quickly.


We tried to do all we could to support them - today I will be redoubling that connection with these people, or at least those like them today, by donating to a charity that works with offenders to stay connected and build relationships with their families.


I'll give you an update on the other tasks that are taking a little longer vey soon!

Pack a Punch

On day three of #40acts I need to get to know my local community much better - this is probably a very good thing as I've only lived here for a few months and really don't know much of what goes on. Alongside this I still have to meet yesterday's challenge - I was on the road for much of yesterday so was not able to prepare an assistance pack.

What I'm thinking is tht I'll take a look around the community and then prepare some packs for people that might need them - not sure who they will be or what their needs might be.

I want the packs to be relevant and to be impactful for those who get them.

So really I need to be generous with time and opinion as I get to know my community a bit better so that I will really connect with them.

Lets see if I can really pack a punch!

Set Out

Once again this year I will be participating through Lent in #40acts.

Why?

Because, if I'm honest I can be a very self centred individual who needs to think out wards a bit more, give a little more - if you know what I mean.

I keep this Blog each year as a bit of an accountability tool but this year I am grateful to have someone else keeping me accountable, I will get a call or email each week from one of my friends, Carl, who will ask me if I'm being generous... And I don't know when he will contact me so there is a bit of jeopardy involved as well!

Yesterday, as well as getting Carl on board, I drew up two lists, where it can be generous and we here in know I can be selfish, they aren't exhaustive lists and I guess I will add to them through Lent.

If you feel I can help you with anything - please ask, I want to be generous in every sense, time, emotions, talents and so on.

So thanks #40acts and thanks Carl! Let's see what happens...