INSPIRASUNS

We’re just a little over a week away from our final Sunday in our little church before construction begins. This week, we cleared the final approvals from the city and submitted all the necessary paperwork to obtain permits. Trust me, the permitting process is for another blog, if ever 🙂 .

As I’ve mentioned here before, I’m learning quite a bit about the construction process, and I’m doing some things that haven’t been part of my skill set before. Actually, many of us on our team are learning new things, and we are not only growing in the process, but we’re also growing together.

Yesterday I tackled some insurance paperwork related to the construction process. I had put it off for several days because, quite frankly, it was overwhelming. I spent the better part of the morning working on it, researching what I needed to include in the packet, signing all the documents, double-checking the figures; yes, it was not fun. But…I stuck with it, and our agent gave it a thumbs-up when she received the packet by lunchtime.

Feeling pretty good about completing that task, I ventured on to yet another insurance-related task I had continually moved to the bottom of my to-do list. I printed all the documents and went through them one by one, confirming what was correct and updating the things that weren’t. Within an hour, I had that project completed as well and sent it off to our agent. I sent that email jokingly telling her, “Can you tell that today is the day to complete all things insurance?” To which she replied, “Now, you will be the insurance expert!” Umm… not, just sayin’! However, the relief I felt having both of these tasks off my desk was refreshing.

Over the past several months, I’ve provided my facilities manager with a pretty hefty to-do list, much of which is building project-related. One of the projects is to install a couple of sun shades in our children’s courtyard. I’ve mentioned before that we’ll be using this space for our outdoor worship this season. Anyway, he has been dreading this project. He kept saying it was outside of his skill set. Hmmm… sounds familiar?

Well, he tackled this project this week. And…as I said earlier, he did it with the help of the team. One of our priests spent time with him yesterday, giving ideas on how to tighten the awnings, how to position things to get the best coverage, etc. By the end of the day, the two awnings were up, and they looked very nice. The space was transformed from a beautiful, sunny, HOT courtyard to a beautiful, shaded space where people can comfortably sit and enjoy the waterfront. We all gave kudos to my facilities manager. He commented that he was happy to have this one checked off his list, and that it “Came out better than I expected.” He left yesterday, yes, glad to have a daunting task checked off his list, but more importantly, he left knowing that he had learned something new, and he learned to trust the support he has on the team.

Friends, we all find ourselves in situations or moments when we feel a little out of our comfort zone, skill-wise. That’s ok. Have a conversation with the Lord and ask Him to guide you and give you the patience and wisdom to learn and stay committed to getting it done. Let yourself be open to learning, and more importantly, let yourself be open to accepting help from others. Keep that saying in mind: “It takes a village”. We’re not alone, and the more we come together, the more powerful we are, even for the smallest tasks.

I have some other things I’ve been skipping over on that to-do list, and today is the day to complete them. I’m guessing I’m going to learn some new things today 🙂 . Have a good day, friends.

Continued prayers for the return of sweet Emily Rea.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.