Week’s Reflection: Building communities and dreams
As I begin this new work week, I find daily and weekly reflection to be a necessary practice for me for continual learning and discovering new things. My practice includes gratitude, a look at where my time is being invested in and an appreciation for God and those He’s entrusted in my sphere. It also involves savoring my love for coffee (ah, that first cup ☕) and drawing inspiration from the words, actions and lives of those around me. Because as T.S. Eliot shares,
“We had the experience, but missed the meaning.” - T.S. Eliot
If we were face to face on this Monday morning, maybe with a cup of coffee in our own hands, I’d ask how your weekend was… and I pray it was full, restful and lovely.
Coffee of the week:
My usual first cup of the morning: A homemade 6-ounce Americano made with a Starbucks by Nespresso Dark Roast Espresso single capsule, a splash of heavy whipping cream and International Delight Sweet Cream creamer. I splurge on the whipping cream (one pint is $6!), but I love it and it makes the drink. Strong, creamy and sweet.
What I am grateful for:
This week brought many moments of gratitude, from my 14-month-old son Knox’s two front teeth coming in (so darn cute!) to fresh cut grass while enjoying an 80-degree day on the patio, and ending the work week with a Friday happy hour with my husband, Matt, and 9-year-old son, Saul. But two moments particularly stood out, both centered around the theme of building.
Building for impact:
My employer, Border States, kicked off its third house build for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. The house is being constructed in the Branch Support Center parking lot in Fargo, North Dakota and alongside other community partners, the house will be built primarily by Border States employee-owners. Habitat for Humanity’s mission is a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and they do that by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. I spent a few hours hauling joists and attended the First Nail Ceremony highlighting the mom and daughter we are building the house for. With a mission to multiply impact, I am grateful to work for a company that leads by example in investing in and giving back to our community, and am looking forward to supporting the build with several more volunteer days.
A dream finally a reality:
For years, I’ve wanted a barn door to connect the master bath to the master bedroom. I think it reminds me of a cozy hotel room stay—decorative yet functional. My bathroom sink is closest to the door and it feels tight on room for things such as blow-drying my hair or making room while my husband comes in and out of the bathroom and closet. A few weeks ago I decided it was time to stop researching and just put up the damn door. No more saving inspiration doors on Pinterest or browsing online at Wayfair, Amazon and Lowe’s.
Tara Mohr writes about this kind of avoidance well in her book, Playing Big: Find Your Voice, Your Mission, Your Message, describing how perfectionists can use research as a way to avoid action. Yep, I hear you…
I felt empowered yet also uncomfortable with all I didn’t know (what size of the door, what kit do I need?) and the help Matt and I would need to get this done (loading the heavy door, having a vehicle to transport it, getting it inside the house, carrying it upstairs). Putting all that aside, I went to Lowe's, asked for help, purchased a kit, and relied on our community for assistance. And yet, before I even needed to open the door from the packaging and follow a YouTube tutorial, my brother-in-law, Joe, graciously offered to help us install it. So, years later, my dream barn door is finally up, and I love it. If you are curious, the DIY is captured here on Instagram.
In reflection, I fully get the dichotomy between these two situations: helping to build a house and hesitating to ask for help with something as simple as installing a barn door.
Offering help is often easier than receiving it.
For the Love of Books:
On Mother’s Day after my annual Mother’s Day tradition, I stopped at Ferguson Book Store in West Fargo, North Dakota. I’m curiously intrigued by the books that seem to jump out at me at bookstores and purchased three: Mostly What God Does by Savannah Guthrie, Jesus Without Religion by Rick James, and Paying Attention III by local author and pastor Rollie Johnson. I’m almost done reading Jesus Without Religion and value this quote: “…it affirms what most of us intuit to be true about the universe: there are worlds well beyond our windows.”
Jeremiah, one of the major prophets of the Hebrew Bible, writes in Jeremiah 3:33: “Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you marvelous things that you know nothing about.”
There is so much beauty beyond our windows; which for me, includes untangling some of what I grew up believing in my Lutheran upbringing and trusting God to give me eyes to see and ears to hear.
Inspired by…
I recently came across Kierstyn Ricci’s Instagram (@peachwoodfarmga), a “farm girl sharing all the things she loves”, including being the owner of FarmGirl Candle Co. Her Instagram and writings are fun, beautiful, inspiring and creative.
And finally, a question for you:
What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do but keep postponing because of a story you’ve told yourself, such as not feeling ready, not knowing enough yet, or it’s an investment (time, energy, money) you’re unsure about? Those can all be true! Maybe you are at a point where you need to ask for help or just need to begin. Decide what you need and take the steps to get there. They may just be the building blocks you need.
Until next time… may your coffee be stronger than your toddler. Jessi
