It's all over... Almost

This Lent, instead of giving up something, I took part in #40acts - 40 days of generosity.

Honestly I thought it was just a simple way of engaging, principally through social media, with other people who wanted to pursue Lent a bit differently.

Oh how wrong I was!

It has been a wonderful time of inspiration, and experiencing the generosity of others and returning to a generous spirit myself. I have loved all of the tasks, even the ones that I wasn't, for one reason or another, able to complete. I have met new friends throughout these forty days, some virtually and some  in reality.

At the beginning of the challenges I commenced blogging on the daily experiences - I am given to understand that some people have found this helpful - I am blessed that anyone would do so and also very grateful that you have let me know.

I have been hugely inspired by turning numerous times in each day to the website and particularly the 'caring is sharing' tab: you #40act-ers are incredible, creative and most importantly generous people. 

Today's act is to throw a party! Although I'm not even at home a party is being planned for a few weeks time when I will invite friends, neighbours and others to celebrate - you may even get an invitation!

Party!!!

As a teenager I loved a party! The loud music, the bad dancing, the witty banter, the terrible flirting! It was what happened almost every weekend, someone would be celebrating something and thirty or forty of us would turn up at their home and for a few hours the party would distract us from whatever else was on our minds.

The last party I went to was my wife, Catherine's, birthday party. It was brilliant, good food, lovely friends, great music (that was my responsibility so I am bound to say that!). All of my family together - brilliant!

I don't even know when the next party will be...

Until today when #40acts challenged me to host one! So the challenge is on for me to put together a community party. It's not going to happen this weekend but maybe later in the summer (when it comes!) I'll get it together!

I am reminded, of course, that Jesus lived a party. He loved to spend time with His friends and others - even when it wound the respectable religious people up! 

So, there will be a party sometime, it's friendly, it's generous and it's biblical!