There is something both exhilarating and overwhelming about preparing for a renovation.
Right now, my home—the place that has held so many ordinary and beautiful moments—is on the edge of transformation. We’re not at the dust-and-demo stage yet, but it’s coming. Any day now, the first hammer will swing, and the space we’ve lived in for years will begin its process of becoming something new. For now, we are eagerly awaiting the new footing to be poured in the basement which will hold the post that allows us to remove a load-bearing wall. This important step is literally the foundation for the changes we have been designing.
Right now we’re packing up our main floor—books, dishes, photos, memories—and sending them into storage. We’re looking for a temporary place to stay, most likely an AirBnB which will welcome our family, including our dogs, knowing that for the next few months, our routines will be disrupted, our sense of comfort temporarily relocated. And still, amid the cardboard boxes and to-do lists, there’s this steady, grounding thread of intention.
We are not just renovating a kitchen. We are building a space for connection. A space to cook side by side. To bake, to experiment, to host, to gather. A space that invites people in—not to impress them with perfection, but to nourish them with warmth, conversation, and a sense of belonging.
We are creating a space for community, a shared table.
And in doing so, I’m reminded of the quiet power of community—of how essential it is to surround ourselves with people who support and uplift us.
Why Community Matters—Especially Now
Whether we are renovating our homes, reshaping our lives, or simply navigating another busy week, the truth is the same: we need each other.
It’s easy, especially for those of us who are independent and used to doing things ourselves, to fall into the trap of self-reliance. We convince ourselves we can manage everything on our own. We push through tiredness, handle the logistics, and quietly shoulder the mental and emotional weight of daily life.
But at some point, it becomes clear—sometimes through burnout, sometimes through longing—that we were never meant to do this alone.
Years ago, before we had kids, my wife and I opened our home up every Sunday to 10-12 people. We gathered for dinner in our barely 1000 square foot home, sharing food, laughing together, sometimes crying together. We were building community, often for people who were away from family or who were alone. Our community of misfits became family to one another.
Community reminds us we are not the only ones packing boxes, dreaming big, or dealing with the stress of everyday change. It reminds us that we don’t have to have it all together. It offers us shoulders to lean on, hands to help, and voices to remind us of who we are when we forget.
We are looking forward to bringing back that kind of intentional community in our home.
Intentional Connection in a Busy Life
If you are anything like me, life is full. Between work, family, and everything in between, time is precious. And if you are naturally introverted or just plain exhausted, the idea of building new friendships or deepening connections might feel like one more thing to add to your list.
But community doesn’t have to be big or loud or complicated. It doesn’t have to mean adding social events to an already crowded calendar. In fact, the most meaningful connections are often the quietest ones—the ones that grow slowly, gently, over shared meals, honest conversations, and small, intentional moments.
Here are a few simple ways to begin nurturing community, even in the busiest seasons of life:
Start Small and Personal
You don’t need to join a group or network to feel connected. Reach out to one person—someone you’ve been meaning to check in on, or someone you’d like to get to know better. Send a message. Suggest a coffee or a walk. That’s how relationships are built—one quiet step at a time. I have a very dear friend I see only a couple times each year. We both have very full lives and are in seasons that don’t always allow us to meet up. We live in different cities but we make sure to check in regularly and when we do get together it feels as if we are just picking up where we left off. We have been friends for 40 years, and as kids it was easy. We went to school and hung out together. What is more difficult is maintaining those connections, connections which change over time, to be just as meaningful as the every day friendships.
Create Rhythms of Connection
Relationships grow through rhythm. Whether it’s a weekly phone call with a friend, a monthly book club, or a seasonal dinner party, find a rhythm that feels manageable. Consistency builds trust and creates space for deeper conversation over time.
Let Shared Purpose Do the Heavy Lifting
One of the best ways to connect is through shared experiences. That’s part of what inspired us to invest in our home. The shared table-this idea that cooking and eating together creates natural space for conversation, collaboration, and connection-came about when various people in different spheres of my life, began asking if my wife could teach them how to bake gluten-free, and when I began to learn how to make gluten-free bread and biscuits, they asked if I would teach them. And I was reminded of how meaningful it is when we engage in nourishing ourselves and others together. When we focus on doing something side by side, the pressure of “socializing” fades away, and the connection begins to grow organically.
The Shared Table: A Space for Belonging
As we prepare for the physical mess of renovation, what keeps me centered is the vision of what we’re creating.
We are raising the sunken floor in the living room—goodbye, 1987—and removing a wall to open up the kitchen and dining area. We’re moving a bathroom to make space for more flow, more light, more life.
But more than that, we are building a space that allows my wife and me to cook together, to try new things, to host friends and strangers alike. We are crafting a space that invites people into the heart of the home—not to be entertained, but to belong.
This is our vision of community made real. It will be a dinner, yes—but more than that, it will be a place to roll up our sleeves and prepare meals together. To light candles, pour wine or tea, pass dishes around a long, welcoming table, and share not just food, but stories and laughter and care.
It is for anyone who longs for connection but doesn’t know where to start. For anyone who’s tired of shallow small talk and hungry for something real. For busy people who just want to show up and feel welcomed.
And honestly, it’s for us, too. For our own need to slow down, gather, and be reminded that life’s most meaningful moments are often the simplest ones.
Rebuilding Connection, One Gathering at a Time
Maybe you’re not renovating a kitchen right now. Maybe your life feels settled—or maybe it feels like it’s being taken apart piece by piece. Either way, I want to remind you that you don’t have to wait for the dust to clear to start building connection.
Community doesn’t have to be grand. It just has to be real.
So if you’re longing for a sense of belonging, start with what you have. Invite someone into your world—even for a short moment. Share a meal, a walk, a conversation. Ask for help. Offer your presence.
And if you’re craving something deeper, consider creating your own version of The Shared Table. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. What matters most is that it’s rooted in intention—a desire to connect, to nourish, to belong.
Looking Ahead
As the renovation begins next week, I know it won’t be easy. There will be noise, dust, frustration, and mess. But there will also be movement. Transformation. The beginning of something beautiful.
And maybe that’s what community is, too. A little messy, sometimes uncomfortable—but ultimately, worth it.
Because when we create space for others—whether through a renovated kitchen or a simple gesture of kindness—we begin to build something sacred.
We begin to build home.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. What does community look like in your life right now? How do you make space for connection in the midst of your busy world? Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media.
Here’s to building the walls we need to feel held, and taking down the ones that keep us apart.
Welcome to our messy life, our messy home. It may not be perfect, but it is beautiful and we can’t wait to share this process with you.
Christine Sharpe: Writer, Speaker, Leader . 
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