This one made me chuckle... having arrived home at midnight last night, I gave myself permission not to get into to church before 9 a.m. today, i.e. a late start... and the theme was: lateness!

I'M NOT GOING OUT TODAY!

That's okay. This is a principle for living, not a one-time challenge. Make a point of being punctual the next time you're heading out by going through your calendar for a few minutes. Set alarms on your phone if you have to, to make sure you’re on time!

TRY THIS

The bare minimum is to arrive when you say you will. Could you be there a few minutes earlier, though?

THE EXTRA MILE

If you're super-organised, arrive early, and bring the person/people you're meeting a treat or their favourite coffee. Doesn't have to be fancy, but it might just make their day.

OK, so one of the thing that REALLY stresses me out is the fear of being late.  I am that person who knows that the meeting starts at, say 9 a.m. and it will take me ten mintues to get there, but I might get delayed, so I'd better add on five minutes, and then because I am due to leave the house at 8:45 I put on my coat ay 8:35 (after all it takes all of thirty seconds) and am out of the door by 8:36, arrive at 8:43 because I've hurtled along the road and then... and then wait for the person who will always arrive "fashionably late".

I've learned over the years that people fall into one of two groups, and it seems just to be the way they are made... some are always early, some are always late.  Why late people don't ever seem stressed as they arrive after things have begun puzzles me, because the rare times I'm late I am always mortified... but then there will be things they find stressful of which I am oblivious.

I have one meeting today, scheduled to take place in in a coffee house... with someone who will be on time... so stress free all round!!

I know that this is posted a day late... I was away on Baptist Union business yesterday with little or no access to internet most of the time, so apologies to anyone who felt cheated not getting the challenges from me!!  The theme was basically about holding our possessions more lightly - being less concerned with acquiring and clinging to "stuff":

FIRST STEPS

Pray about the stuff you’ve got and think about why it’s important to you. Ask God to show you anything in your life that you’re clinging onto too tightly, and to help you use it for others.

TAKE IT FURTHER

Give away one of your favourite things. It could be anything: a scarf, book, DVD, your favourite penguin bobble hat... Give it to someone you know will really appreciate it or need it.

I'VE GOT AN HOUR

Make an inventory in your journal of all the stuff/things you have in your life. Can you live with less? Would you maybe even find freedom in it? Filling up some bags for your local charity shop is a great way to start living more lightly.

The  middle one is for me the biggest challenge - what one item that I really value could I give to someone else who would really value it?  The thing is, mostly the possessions I value have no instrinsic worth and would mean nothing to anyone else.  But, it is challenging me to have a think at what I could usefully give away that just sits on shevles or in cupbaords and never gets used...  or what I could maybe sell and give the money to a good cause...  oh, and in case you're wondering the kitties are going nowhere!!

Saturday's 40 Acts was to surprise someone, and one way and another, despite my good intentions I failed (bought little gifts and forgot to give them).  Then Sunday I failed again and yesterday was my day off so I was chilling at home and catching up on some housework!!  This morning I finally managed it, and I'm glad that I failed on Saturday because today's was so much better.  Someone I see nearly every day and who is always cheery but I don't know their name... a lollipop man who is out in all weathers seeing children and adults safely over a nasty junction outisde a closed school (en route to two other schools).  I hope he enjoys his little surprise gift... I certainly value his presence on that junction and his good natured chat.

Then when I got to church, there on the doorstep was a little bunch of daffodils, carefully wrapped in newspaper, a little battered by the rain and wind, but golden and lovely.  I have no idea who might have left them there, but I brought them in and put them in a vase where they can be enjoyed by anyone using our hall.  Thank you, whoever you are, for the surprise of golden loveliness on a chilly morning.

Today we are invited to say two little words..."thank you"....

I'VE GOT FIVE MINUTES

Got Twitter? Send someone a quick tweet to let them know why you're thankful for them in 140 characters. You could do this by text or phone too if you like.

I'VE GOT THIRTY MINUTES

Write a good old-fashioned thank you note. It's a worthy way to spend time, and everyone loves getting 'real mail' in the post!

MAKE A COMMITMENT!

Write a thank you note to a different person everyday throughout Lent. Watch our video to find out what happened when one 40acts challenger did this last year…

In the spirit of the act, a big "thank you" to you for reading this blog, whether you visit often or occaisonally or if this is the first time and you landed here via some search engine or other. 

Thank you, because without readers, known and unknown, there would be little point in writing this stuff. 

Thank you to those who persevere with the tempremental commenting system. 

Thank you to those who sometimes drop me an email in response to something I've said.

Thank you to those who still use this as a means of checking up that I am OK, and who get concerned if I miss a day or two unexplained.

Thank you to those who tell me when I get it wrong.

Thank you to those who maintain this blogging platform, with all its idiosyncracies, and allow me a space to blabber on line and for free!

Thank you... whoever you are just for being you.

This afternoon I have been snuggled up (down?) on my settee with a cat for company (the other one keeping watch from afar) and reading this little book.

I pretty much always buy the Archbishop's book, and it is always a bit of a lottery what I might, or might not, make of it.  This one is a nice, easy, read, accessible to anyone whether or not they've ever studied theology, gentle in tone and basically encouraging.  Nothing new, nothing very radical, nothing that someone who has been trying to follow Jesus for most of her life should not know... but even so worthwhile.  It is a little bit repetitive in places, but not to the overall detriment of whole.  At £9.99 cover price, it's affordable and very easy to read during the six weeks of Lent even if time and energy are in short supply.

Certainly a pleasant and uplifting way to spend part of a day off (with added kitty cat cuddles and plenty of Fairtrade tea!!)