40 Acts of Lent: day 36 - 'Habit'

We are nearly there in our 40 Acts journey over Lent. Before you launch into today's 'Act', 

take a moment to get comfortable, relax, and as you do, look back over these last 35 days of Lent.

Were there any 'aha!' moments?

What challenged you?

Why?

What did resonated the most?

Why?

And, always useful for feedback: if UCPC were to do this again over Lent,

would you make use of this tool for spiritual reflection?

And now, on to Act 36...

Act thirty six - Habit by Paul Oxley
Breaking a habit is a challenge, but creating a positive one can be even harder. The theory says it takes 21 repeat goes at making a habit stick. What generous action could you start turning into a chain of repeats, today?

"His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'"

                                                                                                                         John 2:5 (NIV)
                   
The gap between dinner and bath time for our two girls (five and three) can either be a joy-filled hour of delight, or it can be a foretaste of the foul afterlife. The evening in question was becoming the latter.
Exasperated, I announced, 'It's dance time!' marched everyone into the lounge and searched online for suitable music for little girls to dance to. Though the beginning of the disco was slightly enforced by me, it wasn't long till we were all 'shaking it off' in serious style. The girls loved it!
Guess what we did the next night after dinner?

Yep. Danced.
And the next night. And the next. It's who we are now – it's what we do. Not every evening, but most. If you're ever invited for dinner at the Oxley house, bring your dancing shoes!

Were you to borrow my phone you'd notice the suggested music on my account is not what it used to be (nor what I'd like it to be); the computer chip has changed its understanding of who I am!
Reflecting on our last 35 acts this Lent, has there been a challenge which, though initiated under slightly forced pretences, brought great joy to you and others? Why not do it again?!

And then again.
And again.
Let it become what you do, who you are; allow it to shape how others understand you. Make it a habit, not an event.

I guess that having resolved to do this, you'll quickly hear a little whisper of doubt suggesting this new generous habit is silly and unimportant. When that happens, listen instead to the voice of Jesus, who always encourages us towards kindness and extravagant generosity. Then, as Mary said, 'Do whatever He tells you,' and shake it off!

Choose how to complete this act...
Just one option. Start today. What generous action from the last 35 days do you want to make a habit? Commit to putting this into practice regularly.