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.

Patience, a precious fruit

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2‭-‬4 NKJV

Difficult words to swallow.

Difficult truth to digest.

Yet, this words are a promise, not a judgement.

For the Word is clear, following Christ Jesus is costly, He suffered and so shall we.

Therefore, these words, this truth, is a gift to instruct.

When we fall into various trials we can find hope that God is using it to teach us many traits which the child of God should have.

One of the most profound being: patience.

It’s something we learn.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:5‭-‬8 KJV

It’s also a fruit.

Galatians 5:22-23NKJV — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The word long-suffering is often translated as patience.

The scriptures are full of those who patiently waited upon the Lord.

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
James 5:10‭-‬11 NKJV

Thus, for the follower of Jesus Christ, we can find perspective in the truth that God builds our character and provides bountiful fruit from the seasons which we walk through with Him in patience.

Knowing this truth means, we do not merely endure the trials, looking for the end of our lives on earth, but rather we await the return of Christ our Lord, understanding the blessings of patience and steadfast obedience through times of difficulty.

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
James 5:7‭-‬8 NKJV

Not only do we anticipate the return of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to live daily bringing glory to His name and shining the truth of His Word to those around us.

For the patient faithful servant of Jesus Christ understands why they are waiting upon the Lord.

God has promised great things to His own.

Revelation 3:10-12 KJV — Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Let us, each one, look to the promises of the Lord with encouragement and expectation.

For the fruit of a life lived wholly unto Jesus is beyond the value of earthly things and to those who serve with anticipation it is a sweet reminder of the promises God’s Word gives.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2‭-‬4 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the promises to those who rest in You and endure the various trials and tribulations with patience found in Your Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, I long for my life to be honorable before You and that I might bring glory to Your name. Thank You for allowing us to share in the marvelous work You are doing each day in the hearts of people. Please continue this same work in my heart. Lord, please help me not to chafe at times and seasons, but rather to embrace each circumstance with joy and gratitude, understanding that this is how our hearts learn well. Thank You for Your wondrous works. Thank You for Your blessings. Lord, thank You for Your promises. May we eagerly await Your return, redeeming the time, for the days are evil. I praise Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.