Endurance in the little things

That’s what bread baking has been for almost a month.

I’ve baked our family’s bread for many years.

It began as a way to save money.

Then blossomed into a way to say, “I love you”.

One of my favorite memories about homemade bread involved a young man who lived in our community when our middle girls were in highschool.

He had been a regular visitor to our home during one summer and I was baking bread regularly.

As I cut into a new loaf one day, he asked me, “Why do you buy your bread like that? Why not get bread that’s precut?”

I smiled, “I baked this myself.”

“Oh, well I guess I won’t ask you where you buy it then.”

He grinned at me, “It’s really good bread.”

I have always baked my bread in loaf pans.

It was available for both sandwiches or toast or just easy to eat with butter.

I’d never learned to make it in a round loaf.

About a month ago I began trying my hand at the round artisan bread.

It’s been a long rough lesson.

My first loaf went in the garbage, it was not able to be eaten.

My second loaf was raw in the middle, but we were able to eat the ends.

I had one set where I gave up on round and shaped them into long loaves which worked well.

When I made two round loaves that turned out nearly perfect I thought I’d finally found the correct process, only to run into more trouble.

The loaves kept rising too much and by the time I baked them turned into bread sticks, because they had fallen.

During all this I read recipes, watched YouTube videos, and prayed.

I was wear thin my patience, but I felt God tell me to try again today.

Before beginning, I gave my efforts to the Lord.

As I worked I prayed, not for the bread, but for a long list of people God brought to mind.

I’d already learned that God was going to use all my effort in bread baking, because God continued to remind me of God’s Word.

Romans 8:28 KJV — And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

The Lord reminded me I had a choice: to believe His Word or not.

I knew God was teaching me to trust Him, even in my failures.

It’s an area I’m still working on.

Failing is difficult for me.

So, that was why I was praying for others while baking bread, because people are more important than bread and I want to use my time to lift up those the Lord places on my heart.

And God blessed the work of my hands as well as my heart.

Not only did the bread turn out better than any I have ever made, I got a text message with a picture.

I’ve been praying for a preterm baby and the picture was of his cute face.

The message was informing me that he’s a complete miracle and doing very well.

Praise God! What a blessing!

While I don’t really understand all the reasons God allows things, I can rest in His promises that He knows what is best and is working through it all.

And I’m glad He’s having me continue to bake bread at home.

I need the extra practice to endure through failure and be faithful in the little things.

Colossians 3:23 KJV — And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Ecclesiastes 9:10 NKJV — Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for this lesson in trust and endurance. Lord, I don’t know if I’ll be able to continue to bake bread like today’s, but I’m so thankful for the ones You helped me do. Lord, thank You for Your answering prayer. Thank You for Your patience with me and my struggles. Lord Jesus, thank You that You can be glorified even when I fail. For all things belong to You and Your ways are perfect. Lord Jesus, as I walk into each day, please help me to remember the truth of Your Word and the blessings of obedience. I love You. Amen.