Earlier this week, I promised two stories this week about living a life of generosity. This second story continues with a pretty serious learning curve for Dani and I. As I mentioned in the video blog, we decided to create this special savings account to give us the ability to respond to needs of people we knew.

Well, during our current experience in a Crown Ministries Life Group, we had to track our spending for 30 days. And frankly, we were doing pretty bad at it, so one day I ended up playing catch up with our online banking.
And wow. By the time I was done, I realized that we had spent double our budgeted amount for entertainment and groceries. Reality is a jagged little pill to swallow sometimes. What made it even harder was that during this time period, Dani and I had learned about a very simple need in a friend’s life. A luxury they had been giving up to further their family’s financial health and goals. So, we wanted to make it possible for them to enjoy that luxury, just once. However, because we had overspent these budget areas, we didnt have the cash to deposit in that account. And I realized we hadn’t deposited enough already to cover it either.

Over the weeks that followed, we moved to new system where we get cash out for grocery shopping and we each get a fixed amount in cash for entertainment/eating out.
As a result of this new discipline and a focused goal, we were able to be generous toward the woman Dani works with.
And then later this week, we got a chance to go back to that friend and bless them as well.
I struggle with financial discipline. It is hard work. I have made lots of bad decisions. But when faced with the option of not having the resources to be a blessing like I have been this week, I think I can take a deep breath and make a sacrifice.

Defining experiences have a way of creating burdens and passions. This was one of those for me. I want to live a generous life.
May God bless you with experiences that change you and the way you live your life.