Good Friday
Well done everybody who took part in our minimum wage challenge. It was hard work, and I think the thing we learned most of all is how much money we actually need to sustain the lifestyle that we consider normal. It will be a relief to go back to Starbucks and not feel guilty (or no more guilty than usual) and to be able to buy a round in the pub.

I have no idea where my money went. I really haven't. Looked in my wallet to buy a drink last night, and I was out. I must have spent a few quid celebrating Liverpool beating Bayer Laverkusen, but that does not account for the whole £50 I got out on Monday morning. Meetings all week, I guess I have bought lunch & tea out a few times, and maybe I bought people drinks too.
Bit of a shock though - just when I though this challenge was getting easier. I stopped thinking about what I was doing, and I have spent my £50 in three days.
We were talking about how we tend to be a bit delusional about how much money we actually spend, and imagine it is considerably less than it actually is. We forget to include the things we stick on the card, the one off things like shoes or clothes which actually come up far more than we imagine.
Actually I have just remembered a big chunk of cash has gone on food - had people round, no time to cook properly, got pizza in. Duh. Can't do that on this budget. Still that is only part of the problem. Generally not thinking what I am doing is the major issue.
No cash for my day off tomorrow. Sounds like fun!

Its okay to fail. We said this at the beginning, but it is important to say it again now. This is not like new years resolutions, break it once and it is over. We fail, we start over.
I was chatting to one of the lent challengers last night and they were looking a bit bashful. They had broken their glasses, and were completely stuck, so had to buy a new pair, which obviously completely blew their budget. Then there is me. I drove up to North Wales for 36 hours at the end of last week. I just needed some space and air. Two beautiful winter mountain days, but the petrol alone cost me £50. Up till that point it had been a very frugal week...
I think part of this challenge is not in the succeeding, but in the failing, in realising how much we do fall short. Realising all the things which are blessings rather than a right, recognising the ways in which God does give us our daily bread, and much more. Essentially it is a gospel truth, that we are followers of Jesus because we fail, not because we succeed.

^{Acts 2:44} All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as they had need.

I have been really convicted about the whole generosity thing in the last few weeks - not just with money, but with time & love. It is costly, and draining, but it is closer to the heart of the character of God than I can know.
Thank you to all of you who responded so generously to the need of a member of our church. It is not nessecarily wise or good stewardship, but by the grace of God it is one of the thing he will use to start to bring change into a long term crisis.

Please be generous with your prayers too.