Yesterday was Valentine’s Day and fittingly the 40acts-task was to do something to make someone feel loved.

I haven’t given out Valentine’s cards since I was a kid.   We used to tape little handmade paper bags decorated with doilies and red construction paper to our desks and then walk around and place little love notes in each other’s bags (“You’re a Deer, Be my Valentine” and there was a picture of a deer on it.  Remember those?)

In that spirit and being mindful of the 40acts challenge I decided to pick up a box of Valentines at the store along with some gift cards.  I was going to go out to do some door-to-door deliveries.

When I opened the box and pulled out the contents I was immediately taken back to those grade school moments: carefully choosing the cards I wanted to write on (they were Avengers Valentines with Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk…which superhero would go to who?); writing the person’s name on the designated line and signing my own name; folding up the tender little package and sealing it with a red heart sticker.

Even as a grown up I noticed how excited I was about giving out the Valentines…and a little apprehensive. What if they didn’t like The Hulk? What if they thought I was inferring they were an angry, green monster? Expressing love and appreciation to someone doesn’t come without its risks.

After work I made my deliveries face-to-face and heart-to-heart. I told my loved ones that I loved them. Happy Valentine’s!

As I drove away I couldn’t help but wonder why every house I passed didn’t have a little paper bag taped to the front door.

Most people aren’t so interested in Lent. I suspect mainly because it doesn’t get the same hype as other times of the Christian calendar: no bunny, or presents under the tree, or day off work. And if we’re honest most people don’t have the attention span for it–40 days is a long time.

Today is day one.

Thanks to a friend and colleague in ministry I have learned about the challenge of 40acts, a campaign out of the UK that encourages people to do Lent generously. I signed up. The first challenge arrived in my inbox this morning along with some biblical inspiration:

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
~ 1 Timothy 6:18

Act One is “Create a Generosity Kit” filled with things that might help brighten someone’s day. So this is what I have:
-a bunch of quarters (in case someone needs change for the bus, or a shopping cart, or who knows)
-a bunch of chocolate (self-explanatory..who doesn’t love chocolate?)
-tissues
-a Tim’s card
-3 “angels in your pocket” coins (cause you never know who might need the reminder)

The fun part will be seeing what happens.

for more info. go to http://www.40acts.org.uk