I was out walking today, listening to an audiobook, when I heard a line that made me stop and rewind. I bookmarked it, one of those moments where something lands so deeply you don’t want to lose it.

“And yet the first-century rabbi Eleazar ben Azariah said
our work is the holiest part of us. All are proud of their craft.
God speaks of his work; how much more should man.”
Phil Knight, Shoe Dog

It felt almost poetic and made me think about work not just as something we do, but something we become, something we shape and are shaped by, return to, wrestle with and quietly grow through.

For many of us, that craft isn’t only professional. Our most important work is being a mother, raising children, holding a home together and shaping lives, often without applause.

My own work has changed over the years. Some seasons felt heavy, even suffocating at times, and some weren’t rewarding in the way I expected. But looking back, I like to believe I was still proud of my craft, both inside and outside the home, even when it was hard and didn’t look the way I thought it should.

Right now, my craft is boost and I’m deeply proud of it.

Not because it’s perfect or polished, but because it’s from the heart, built from lived experience, small steps, consistency and walking alongside women as they learn to keep going and make the necessary changes in their lives.

So if you’ll allow me to speak of work this month, this is what I’ll say.

There is something sacred about caring deeply about what you build, showing up to your craft at home, at work and in your health, even when no one is clapping, rewarding or cheering you on.

It’s about choosing to keep going and believing that the vision is yet for the appointed time... it will be fulfilled- Habakuk 2:3

Maybe that’s worth reflecting on as we begin a new month.

What are you quietly proud of right now, even if it hasn’t fully bloomed yet? I'd love to hear so whatsapp me.

With love,
Jacqueline 💜