Bread
Loaf of French bread, Author David Monniaux, Copyright © 2004 David Monniaux (CC BY-SA 1.0 Generic)
Many of us have a bagel and coffee in the morning. But anyone who has ever baked bread knows that the baking process is not an easy one – particularly from the bread’s perspective.
The dough is prepared, seasoned, floured, and folded on itself; kneaded and rolled flat; allowed to rest and rise; then punched down, again and again. Ingredients can be beaten or whipped, with the dough sometimes actually thrown against the counter, so that flavors mix and the dough attains proper consistency.
So too are we, with God the loving baker and life the process
The results, of course, are rich and varied. Even the smell of baking bread makes mouths water, drawing others to the table. Knowing this, may we be able to say with Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 12: 15).
“Did You not pour me out like milk, and curdle me like cheese, clothe me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews? You have granted me life and favor, and Your care has preserved my spirit” (Job 10: 10-12).
Father, we know ourselves to be the product of Your loving hands and in Your tender care. Where better could we be?
Uphold us this day. Give us peace in the midst of turmoil, and patience in the midst of trial. Help us submit to Your will for our lives. And may our aroma be sweet to You.
Amen
Originally posted 4/11/12
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse https://avoicereclaimed.com
A Lawyer's Prayers 
Yes! Amen! I just had a very hard day. I needed this now. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 12: 15). Amen.
Glad it was of some small help to you, Linda. ❤
A lovely analogy Anna— ☺️
Thank you, Julie. 🙂
“God the loving baker” — Jesus is the Bread of life and committed himself to His Father’s hands. How much more should we, imperfect as we are! Wonderful analogy, Anna.
pax,
dora
I am happy you enjoyed it, Dora.
O the smell of freshly-baked bread! I read of a church-planter in the UK who started a fresh bread shop. It became hugely popular, as people were attracted to the aroma just passing by. Eventually it became a kind of church-plant offering coffee and fellowship. Thanks for stirring our imagination and thought-processes, the pic above got my gastric juices going even though I have Diabetes type 2 and would have to abstain! As you intimate, the bruising process is worth it.
I’m so glad this struck a chord w/ you, Erroll. 🙂
Impressive post.
Many thanks.
Ein sehr schöner Beitrag, liebe Anna, danke dafür. LG Marie
Mein vergnügen, Marie. ❤
Thanks, Anna. John the Baptist said:
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Mt 3:11,12).
That baptism, that winnowing and fire of the threshing floor, is but the beginning of the bread-making process. The clean wheat now chaff free must subsequently be ground to make flour, and the flour must be sifted, and mingled with oil, and kneaded in His “loving hands,” and then baked in an oven– more fire, yes, but just its heat now–and then broken by those same loving hands to feed the hungry.
I say Amen your prayer, Anna:
“Father, we know ourselves to be the product of Your loving hands and in Your tender care. Where better could we be? Uphold us this day. Give us peace in the midst of turmoil, and patience in the midst of trial. Help us submit to Your will for our lives. And may our aroma be sweet to You. Amen.”
Indeed, let us continue to endure to the end, and become the product of His loving hands and tender care. What love He has for the hungry, that He puts us through all this for their sake.
The lines of an old chorus come to mind just now:
Will you be poured out as wine upon the altar to Me,
Will you be broken as bread to feed the hungry?
Will you be so one with Me that I may do just as I will,
To make you light and life and love, My will fulfill?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Allan.
🙏💗