One Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago, instead of heading to the yoga studio as I usually do, I gathered my hammer and tool belt and a few other essentials and drove to the Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity warehouse in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood to spend the day with other Presbyterian volunteers— mostly from Crossroads and Immanuel—along with two new Habitat homeowners and a couple of other Habitat regulars (sometimes known as “habituals”). Our task that day was to build 58 walls—all of the walls, both interior and exterior, for a new home that is scheduled to be built later this year for a family in Milwaukee.
I’ve been thinking of all the connections that were part of that day…
We literally connected hundreds of 2x4s and 2x6s—including the studs that children in our congregations decorated earlier this year – with messages like, “Bless this house,” and, “Love lives here,” and, “Home sweet home.” While the messages will not be visible once the drywall goes up and the house is completed, they will help to create the framework and the loving intention for a home that is safe and sweet and blessed, and where love will live.
There were the connections among our little group of ordinary people, whose paths likely would not have crossed otherwise. Women and men, young and old(er), experienced and not so much—all connecting over a common goal and shared task.
And that shared task gave us a sense of connection to something bigger, something important, even something holy as we sought to be God’s hands and feet in this little corner of God’s world.
As I was reflecting on all these connections, a song that I learned some years ago came to mind called, “We Will Build This House”. It was written for Habitat for Humanity by a favorite folk singer, Sally Rogers (with whom, incidentally, I recently discovered another connection with someone from Crossroads… you’ll have to ask me about this!). I ask that you pay attention to all of the connections it lifts up with our neighbors and communities toward the work of justice in our world.
I invite you to be mindful today and in the days to come of the connections that give meaning to your life, and that they remind you of the ways we are able to join with God and with others to make this world a better place.
Grace and peace,
Jean Dow
Transitional Associate Pastor
