It’s Something Much Better
August 22nd will come and go, and the doors to Taste Project will not yet open. With the interior near complete, we are simply awaiting new infrastructure to support our electrical power needs. It’s not what we hoped for. But as God reveals more and more to us, we’re realizing, it’s something much better.
Each day has presented its own challenges. As we conquer each challenge, the next challenges seem increasingly greater and greater. The pressure is intense, but the pressure is also evidence we are on to something special. I have often found sometimes, the most complex situations can be simply explained in a song…
Here and now I’m in the fire,
In above my head
Oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh
Being held under the pressure,
Don’t know what’ll be left
Oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh
But it’s here in the ashes
I’m finding treasure
He’s making diamonds, diamonds
Making diamonds out of dust
He is refining in his timing
He’s making diamonds out of us
Between the intense heat and pressure, it would be great to know there is a diamond in all of this. But just like in nature, all of the elements of a diamond exist before it is formed. And without heat and pressure, the beauty of the elements is hidden. The heat and pressure simply bring it all together.
We are certainly not alone in this project. Fort Worth is an amazing place, and the Near Southside is no exception. It’s not because of any museum or landmark; but because of the people who live here. Since our first debut at the 2016 Fort Worth South, Inc. Shindig, the love and support from the Near Southside community has been overwhelming.
In the early days… Many of you picked up hammers, shovels, brooms, and paint brushes; you donned gloves and protective glasses; and you did it all with smiles and joy while always asking to do more.
Even today, your love and support continues to pour in. Many of you have demonstrated your commitment to the success of Taste Community Restaurant, and our desire to meet the needs of our community from day one, by advance purchasing meal tokens.
And as we round the turn towards opening day, several hundred of you have pledged to volunteer at Taste Community Restaurant even before we announced opening day, and even before knowing what shifts might be available.
Taste will continue to be a place where you can find the love and out pouring of this community. It isn’t the project that is unique, it’s the people of the Near Southside—that’s the Diamond! As an organization, we only hope to be a jeweler’s loupe or lens that helps everyone see the beauty that is Fort Worth, and the Near Southside.
Thank you Near Southside for all of your love and support! Taste Community Restaurant is coming together, slowly …but surely. The treasure that is the Near Southside cannot be contained. Opening day, and another opportunity for our community to shine, will be here before we all know it!
And the song continues….
I’ll surrender to the power
Of being crushed by love
Oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh
Till the beauty that was hidden
Isn’t covered up
Oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh
Oh it’s not what I hoped for
It’s something much better
Hawk Nelson, Diamonds
Continue reading about who we are
Written by Julie Williams
Julie Williams is the wife of Taste Project founder, Jeff Williams. She has volunteered with Taste Project since it’s inception in 2012, and she frequently writes for Taste Project.