Prayers for the Craftspeople and Entrepreneurs

Last year the artisan, Robert White, created this portable communion table so that I could take it with me anywhere I chose for an outdoor service. I'd known him for a while through conversations at community markets where he sells his work. When I broached the subject of making the table he was immediately enthusiastic and was soon brimming with ideas. Even though he often works with exotic woods we agreed that material from native trees made sense, so the darker wood is walnut and the Celtic knotwork inlays are maple. 

Along the way to completion we corresponded and chatted often. The nature of the project lent itself to some meaningful conversations about faith. I appreciate Robert's desire to find the best in life, despite setbacks. And I certainly admire his devotion to craft as a vocation, even a calling. 

I reached out to him recently, wondering if he is like so many artists and craftspeople who are seriously affected by the scourge of COVIC-19. Unfortunately he is, with business dwindling in the midst of uncertainty about employment for many. And the shows in which he participates across the province may not take place this year. He mentioned one commission which has been put on indefinite hold because it was to be a gift for a couple whose wedding has now been postponed.

We have a good friend who teaches music lessons, and a young family member who is a personal trainer with her own business. All these entrepreneurial people will take a significant hit during the COVID outbreak. There are literally millions of different stories about the impact of this pandemic just in our own country.

I imagine that all our prayer lists have grown longer in recent weeks, but I hope we can include small business people, including musicians and craftspeople, as we seek our solace and strength for others. Prayer may not be a magical cure for the coronavirus but we can ask God to bring the calm and resolve and ingenuity we all need at the moment.

The photo at the top was taken the day I picked up the communion table last year. I staged it in our backyard again last week to remind Robert of the excellent work he does. 

The boy Jesus is often portrayed as an apprentice carpenter in his father Joseph's workshop, even though we don't really know if Joseph was a carpenter. I do like the imagery, just the same.