The promise of warm Oatmeal Spice Bread filled our home with delicious smells of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove as it slowly baked its way to perfection. Our trusty Oster bread machine worked its magic vigorously dancing, twirling, mixing the bread flour and other key components. Comprising this doughy mixture into a mouthwatering recipe. Doing the Dosey doe if you will, of swinging its’ partner round and round, to make yummy bread, or should I say Dosey Dough? No matter how you spell it or slice it...
I was anticipating a warm slice of homemade bread slathered with honey butter, coupled with a hot cup of Glazed Lemon Loaf tea. It seemed like a delightful way to forge my way through day 6 of being stuck in the house due to the Arctic freeze outside.
This winter wonderland was making me wonder when it would end. I was so over it 5 days ago.
However, being stuck in the house for so long has its perks. For instance, the hustle and bustle of everyday life comes to a screeching halt. This allowed me to pause and ponder, to dig deep into God’s word, read a book that has laid dormant, and get creative with the limited food in our pantry. Which is what inspired me to pull out the bread machine and give it a whirl after being cooped up in the kitchen cabinet for quite awhile…
something I could totally relate too.
This particular bread machine was the third one I have owned, after “Not Ever” wanting one... Ever!
You read that right! The reason was not because I did not like bread. I liked it way too much. To be honest, I felt I couldn’t trust myself to own a bread machine… in my mind I thought it was a recipe for disaster. Soft warm bread slathered in butter was my kryptonite.
However God loves to turn my countless “Not Ever’s” into a *Philippians 4:13 promise “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.”
That whole “Never say never” is a thing, trust me. Through it all God remains incredibly gracious and wildly hilarious. Even using a bread machine for His punch line that I’ll never forget.
You see, over 20 years ago we added a 538’ feet sq addition to our existing 700’ sq foot home. Our plans were for a great room that included a spacious kitchen, dining and family room. Jim our talented neighbor not only drew up the plans, he also did the lions share of construction. My husband helped out doing some of the renovations himself to help to cut costs. Making much progress, feeling well on our way to a dream kitchen/great room and the extra space for our two growing boys. However, there is a saying adapted from Robert Burns, “To a Mouse” which simply put is, “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. And that they did.
Projects cost more than anticipated, some due to the increased prices for plywood and lumber attributed to the current war at the time. Funds depleted, spirit’s drooping, I stared out the window of our old kitchen discouraged while washing dishes. All the while our new shiny dishwasher glared back at me from our unfinished addition; know doubt as eager to be used as I was to use it. Dejected, I called my mentor and prayer partner Michelle lamenting my woes to her of an unfinished dream.
She is a ray of sunshine, encouraging others to see with eyes of faith in the most daunting circumstances. She not only talks her faith, she walks it with joy and infectious enthusiasm. Just what I needed. Her prayer was earnest and I was all on board with my yes and amen until she said “and Lord soon Lisa will smell warm fresh baked bread from her bread machine in their new kitchen”
What!!! though I remained polite and quite while she finished her powerful prayer, in my mind I was thinking rather strongly that will never happen.
The conversation ended shortly after her prayer and it was time to continue my activities; occasionally throughout the day finding myself laughing with the mere notion of owning a bread machine.
I should have know by my previous, “ye of little faith moments “with Michelle’s prayers. That God has bigger, grander plans, than I could imagine. Reminding me that He not only believes in me, He trusts me even when I don’t believe or trust in myself. This time was no exception. The same truth of how He feels towards me applies to you. His word promises in Acts 10:28, 34-35 God is no respecter of persons.
Several months down the road the prayers for our kitchen to be finished was answered, Michelle’s uttered prayer for the aroma of fresh baked bread to fill its space was a distant memory. Frankly, it was much farther from my mind on that glorious spring day, than how far the kids and I biked around the neighborhood. Gentle breezes graced our cheeks as we rounded Cedar Lane, when low and behold we spotted a Bread Machine left out for free on someones lawn. God was speaking my language, I’m a sucker for free... it’s such a good price! Before you knew it we somehow zipped that bulky machine of an answered prayer into my willing son’s sweatshirt jacket to take it home. At that moment the Lord gently reminded me of Michelle’s prayer, as we continued to pedal precariously home, laughing once more, this time however, not in disbelieve but in...
JOY.
That bread machine filled our mouths with laughter along with gracing us with the delicious bread, pizza, cinnamon rolls, bread sticks and more.
God smiling down delighted to give us our Daily Bread, blessing us from a bread machine I never thought I wanted.
“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” Job 8:21
Prayer: Thank you Lord for our daily bread and trusting me to have a bread machine. Turns out the Fruit of the spirit in regards to self control have fared rather well. I could use some help when it comes to chocolate though. Thank you in advance.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
The smell of good bread baking, like the sound of lightly flowing water, is indescribable in its evocation of innocence and delight.
*AMPC Version
Commentaires