Today is a big day for our family. This morning is the official groundbreaking for the Mount Vernon Library Commons Project. Our son is the director of the Mount Vernon, Washington, public library and for five years has been working with the community to make plans for a new library. Part of those plans have to do with a building. The old library building is in need of replacement. The library needs more room, different kinds of spaces, and more. In addition to a new library building, however, the community, like many communities, is in need of a new way of thinking about the library and its role. The Mount Vernon Library Commons Project is ushering in a new way of thinking about libraries. And, proud father that I am, I am convinced that much of this is the result of visionary leadership by our son.

The Mount Vernon Library Commons project is a multiuser infrastructure project located in historic downtown Mount Vernon, right next to Interstate 5 north of Seattle. The project combines several community needs including public library services, community center space with a kitchen, a parking structure with a mega electric vehicle charging station (the largest in the nation to date), charging for e-bikes and scooters, park and ride, and a transit stop. The library will feature an early learning hub, access to digital literacy, new business incubation, employee training, and systems to address knowledge gaps. The building will be a shelter for heat dome and cold weather events.

The building will employ low carbon concrete construction, 40% less carbon than a roadway. It will have a huge solar array. The project will be passive house certified, resulting in 60% less energy to power the building than a conventional building.

It is a $53 million investment in the local economy. The project has been recognized as a catalyst for economic development in the Cascadia Corridor midway between Seattle and Vancouver, BC.

I’ve participated in several capital funds drives in local churches, the largest of which was a little over $600,000. My professional experience didn’t require me to think or work in millions. The sheer size and scope of the project amazes me.

The state governor, senators and representatives will be on hand for the event. With all of the busy pomp and ceremony, our role as proud parents is mostly to watch and witness the groundbreaking ceremony. We also will be shepherding our son’s children so that they also can witness this historic event.

It is all very amazing.

But it is only one of the things going on in our son’s life. In addition to being the director of the Mount Vernon Library, which will continue to provide a wide range of services throughout the construction, he has been a leader in the commons project. He also is the father of four energetic children, and a farmer with chickens and cows that need daily care. He supports his wife’s career. She maintains a thriving private counseling practice while being the primary gardener in the family, growing lots of the food for the family.

As a father, I am amazed at their energy and all of the things that they are able to accomplish. I know that we had some busy times in our lives when we were younger, and we continue to juggle a whole lot of different responsibilities in this phase of our life. Still, I am in awe of the accomplishments of our children. Today’s energy and attention will focus on the Library Commons Project and the visionary leadership Isaac has provided for it, but his sister is no slouch and I can brag about her accomplishments all day long as well.

The prophet Isaiah had the daunting task of addressing Israel in the lead up to the fall of Jerusalem and the exile to Babylon, but the book of Isaiah doesn’t end with these traumatic events. Isaiah is then confronted with the task of reminding the people of Israel of God’s continued presence. Despite hard times, this is not the end of the world. This is not the end of God’s relationship with the people. In the 43rd chapter, Isaiah reminds the still grieving people, “Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

We live in challenging times. The climate crisis presents humanity with the largest moral challenge ever. Our response to this challenge literally determines whether or not our planet will have human life in the future. We cannot afford to ignore this reality. As people of faith, however, we cannot afford to ignore the signs around us that God is doing “a new thing.”

While too many people my age are waxing nostalgic about the past and grieving the things that have been lost, I am excited to see the new things that are coming. Building infrastructure for the new ways of transportation, envisioning a new role for libraries in our communities, and investing in the future with buildings designed not only to last, but also to contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable world, are all part of the newness that is coming to one community with today’s groundbreaking.

Groundbreaking ceremonies are symbolic. There will be a couple of dozen dignitaries putting their hands and feet to ceremonial shovels. There will be a few speeches. There will be some news reporters who will want interviews. But when the ceremonies have ended, the hard work begins. There is dirt to move, concrete to be formulated and poured. Conduit to be installed so the critical components of the project can not only be installed, but also will be able to be replaced and upgraded as technology evolves. There will be a host of decisions to be made. There will be more meetings and more hard work.

But today is a day for celebration. Planting the shovels in the ground is a tangible sign of hope. And these days, hope is one of the most important values we can express.

I’m just glad that I get to be there to see it. It is a story my grandchildren will one day tell to their grandchildren.