Matthew Robinson

The better part of the last three weeks of my life has centered around playing the role of project foreman at the new Well Kids Storefront space.

The place, when we received the keys “as is,” was in a mess.

And putting the logistics to the vision of what the place would look like and how the space will be used had to be captained.

I have learned a TON these past few weeks through managing these on going efforts:

• When you’re installing door hardware (knobs, etc.) make sure you put the lock side on the inside of the bathroom, not the outside.
• Sanding dry wall joint compound sucks.  There’s no other way around it.
• Some people were made to roll paint.  Others think they were made to roll paint.  The former have had to go over all of the work the latter have done.
• People will help, will give of their time, and will step up if they’re simply asked.  5% of people will sign up on there own.  The other 95% will sign up if personally asked.
• You have to keep in mind the what and why and who…you’re doing this for!
• Color makes a huge difference.  And paint color names boggle my mind.
• People are skilled and smile widest when they’re using their talents.
• Skilled people have a whole construction vernacular that I don’t get.  Throughout the past fortnight, I’ve said more times than I can count “Huh?  Explain it a different way, please.”
• You can google and find a diy video on just about anything.
• Walls without baseboards look like crap.  I never realized how much of a difference the stupid baseboard makes.
• Nothing tastes better than a cold Capri Sun after a few hours of hard work.
• You’ve got to have a background track of music while you renovate.  I’ve heard more people sing along in the construction zone than I have on a Sunday morning or night at church.
• Paint gets and stays on you in the most weirdest of places.
• What mom said about the kitchen also works for the construction zone: clean as you go.
• I don’t see much progress in the things I do…rarely do I see clean starts and stops in my line of work.  Being able to stand back and say “that’s done and it looks great” is a new kind of satisfying for me.
• You’re never quite finished when you think you are…

Final touches are being done this weekend, including the laying of nearly 2,000 square feet of laminate flooring.  We need YOU this Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m.  Consider this your personal invitation and ask :)

Thank you(s).

Thank you to all those who have cleaned and scrubbed.

Thank you to all those who have filled and sanded and primed and painted.

And thank you to all those who have worked in the four dreaded bathrooms at the new Well Kids Storefront.

Thank you to the moms (and grandpas!) who have brought our volunteers food.  And drinks.  And good cheer.

Thank you to the 97 people I’ve given tours to for stopping by.  I have it down to under 93 seconds start to finish.

Thank you to those that have gotten there early and stayed late picking up messes and cleaning rollers.

Especially you roller cleaners…thank you.

Thank you to James Parsons for helping manage this project.

Thank you to all those who actually know what they’re doing who have come and helped and shown us how

Thank you to the guys that are going to lay the floors this Saturday.

And to the girls that are going to come in after them and make the place crystal clear spotless clean.

Thank you to those that have sent texts and facebook messages saying they’ll be there, and have shown up, and have come back the next day again to help out.

Thank you to those that have made purchases for us and give us new donated items.  We need more of you!

And thank you to those who have put up cold hard cash to make this a reality.  We definitely need more of you!

Before and After pictures are forthcoming.

The ministry potential and vision is awesome.

I can not wait to see how He continues to work at The Well.

Greater things are yet to come!

I took the Primary Colors Assessment Test Jovanna wrote about this morning.  Brass Band, that’s my color.  Here’s what it says about me.  Whatchya think?  My first impression: pretty dang right on.

BRASS BAND
Logic and analysis tend to be hallmarks of this color cluster. You are likely to be known as the “idea” person who comes up with new processes, approaches, innovative solutions and alternatives. While you may like structure (and, in fact, need it to be productive) you will thrive in situations that value your intellect and analytically abilities. Those with this primary color can be quite intense and focused when presenting or defending a new idea about which they are passionate.

People in this color area come in two distinct flavors; those who are very logical and base actions and decisions on facts and those who are equally analytical but make more use of their intuition and “gut feelings.” The latter will, never-the-less, tend to verify their intuition with facts and hard data. While you can work effectively with others and can be a good team player, you may prefer to operate as an independent contributor. Strategic planners can be frequently found in this color area.

“The man who lives by himself and for himself is likely
to be corrupted by the company he keeps.”

Dean and I have had several conversations about selfishness over the last couple of weeks.  And it’s had me thinking…

At what point did “I” and “me” overtake “them”?

Why is it someone will go just far enough to say they did something, as long as it, at the end of the day, doesn’t inconvenience them?

When will serving in the Church become a convicted Christian’s 2nd or 3rd priority rather than than their 12th or 13th?

When will the opportunity of a Sunday night outweigh the community of a Saturday night?

When will cars stop breaking down, things just coming up, and “I’m busy”-ness shift to happening throughout the week rather than always on the Sabbath?

We’ve been wondering how we move and how we teach and how we challenge a group of people to get over themselves.

“But I’m not selfish” some may say.  Or, “what do you mean?”

Look at our giving records.  It’s not our money.  It’s His.

Look at the pews after the service on Sundays when we pass out bulletins. “Someone else will pick this up.”

Look at the 5 guys who tear down every Sunday.  Everyone else just stands around watching them.

Listen to the comments I receive post-production: “I didn’t like that song.”  “I don’t know why you asked those questions.”  “I just didn’t connect tonight.”  “I don’t understand why you all did that.”  “If I were in charge…”

Now don’t get me wrong.  There are examples, people I admire and look up to, with whom I get to serve every Sunday and throughout the week, who model selflessness.  I’m working on this issue myself.  Trust me, it hits home.

But I just can’t help but imagine what we could be used for if we just got over…ourselves.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
Philippians 2:3

I have a really bad habit.

And growing up, it annoyed my mother to no end.

And now, it even annoys me.

I have an addiction…to cups.  To glasses.  To beverage holding containers.

I drink a lot of water.  And when I’m at home, for some reason, I can never locate the last glass I just used.

I go through glass after glass before night’s end, when they some how all magically appear in the sink and get put in the dishwasher (I have a bit of another hold up with leaving dirty dishes in the sink over night…that’s another issue to dissect in another blog one day.)

Anyways, I’m also not a conventional “drinker.”  For some reason, beverages just taste better in popularly defined “odd” cups.  Take for example: ice cold skim milk.  Ever tried it in a wine goblet, a champagne flute, or a beer stein?  Don’t knock it until you have…you won’t turn back.  Much to the chagrin of that same annoyed mother, I’d pull from the top shelves and behind frontal plastic cups in the cabinet the most exquisite contraption from which to refresh and quench my thirst.  My actions were typically met with non-approval.

On my own now, I’ve made it a point to not sell myself short.

I think we all often do.  We settle with the comfort and the norm and the typical (and cheap) because it’s safe and right in front of us.

I do this all the time in my life, my faith, my relationships, my work.

I go for what’s easy.

When sometimes, if I just stand on the tip-toes and reach a little farther into the back of the cabinet, I can find something exquisite.

Something that makes it all just so much more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Something that might require just a little more effort, but pay off huge dividends in how I feel, and maybe how the others around me feel.

I’m giving you permission…really…stretch the boundary of the rule or guideline or barrier that’s been put in place “just ’cause.”

Don’t disqualify yourself when others haven’t disqualified you.

And while you’re at it…try that glass of milk in the “good china” teacup.

You’ll love it.  Just wait and see.

Cheers!

I’m reading Tony Morgan’s new book Killing Cockroaches with Dean and Danna and Matt Long.  I’ve zoomed through most of it: hands down the best book on leading I’ve encountered.  When I’m finished, you can borrow my copy!

Tony writes a Top-10 list of some observations he made from a day visit to Epcot.  I’m racking my brain about how these apply to my classroom, the church experience I manage, and any other events I take part in or plan.  What do you think?

10 Things I’ll Remember After Visiting Disney

1. The experience begins in the parking lot.
2. We will invest a lot of money to make dreams come true.
3. It helps to have someone with you who’s been there before.
4. The value of excellence transcends socioeconomic and cultural barriers.
5. It’s hard to communicate with people who wear masks.
6. The journey is more fun when you’re on it with friends.
7. The world is small.
8. Lots of people fulfilling the same mission can achieve great results.
9. It’s possible to leave behind a lasting legacy for future generations.
10. We remember the fireworks at the end.