by Mike Peercy, Executive Director of Fostering Grace

.I’ve been building a table.

A friend and partner “in the cause” was looking for a big, farm-style table around which to gather her large, beautiful family. Theirs is a family forged through the blood, sweat, and tears of foster care and adoption.

When my wife, Tori, heard her ask about finding such a thing, Tori told her that I have wanted to build such a table for some time. Tori assured her that, if she would buy the materials, I would gladly build a table for their family.

Tori had more confidence in me than I did, but it was something I really wanted to do. And I’m so glad I did. It was an incredibly therapeutic experience for me, but it had so many powerful metaphors ringing in my mind, sticking to and sometimes in my hands, and dripping from my brow.

This project occupied my garage for 4 months… though it seemed longer. My other work has kept me working out of town a lot so days to dedicate to this process were sometimes hard to find. But it was an absolute joy to build it with the end in mind.

This series is simply a set of reflections from this journey—particularly in regard to the context of the table itself. I want to acknowledge that I am an aspiring woodworker that is growing in knowledge, experience, and skill. As I add more tools and techniques, I hope to become a much better craftsman. But this experience has been rewarding in so many ways. I hope you’ll explore them with me.