Daily Bread

"There's nothing like fresh bread..."

I love the smell of freshly baked bread. The aroma makes my stomach growl with anticipation as my taste buds begin to salivate just smelling the wonderful breads in a bakery or baked at home.

As a child, my mother loved to bake various breads during the holidays. And as she prepared the dough, I was curious to watch how she kneaded the bread, then let it rest and rise until the dough was ready to create her marvelous recipes. My favorite creations I helped her make were these little croissant rolls, bathed in butter, sugar, orange marmalade, and coconut. I could easily eat half a dozen as they melted in my mouth with each crispy bite.

Fresh bread! There’s nothing like it!

"She has a thriving bakery now..."

One of my daughter’s best friends from childhood turned her passionate hobby into a thriving business. Growing up, Wendy was always experimenting with desserts, bread, and dough, and sharing her talent with us. She especially loved to make a special strawberry cake for all of her friends for their birthdays.

Then that passion grew as she learned more and more techniques and about locally sourced grains from farmers near her home in San Francisco. Wendy began by posting pictures on social media and delivering orders. Then her business grew as she marketed her fresh breads at various farmers’ markets and venues. Today, her business has grown to a storefront called “Day Moon”, and she has a thriving business.

My taste buds salivate as I just look at pictures of her various fresh breads offered almost daily. I am not a baker, and I have such an appreciation for this talent. And quite honestly, after you’ve tasted fresh breads offered daily, who wants or likes the store-bought varieties loaded with preservatives and cheap, overly processed grains?

I recently threw all the store-bought dinner rolls leftover from a party in my yard, thinking the wild creatures would enjoy the leftover bread. The rolls sat on my lawn as a testament that something was wrong: not one bird or squirrel would touch the bread. I realized in that moment they knew something I did not!

"The ingredients matter..."

Now I’m trying to be more conscientious about what kind of bread I consume. And as I think about fresh bread, I’m reminded of the prayer Jesus taught His disciples. He taught a simple prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread…”

In those days, there were no store-bought, heavily processed, and preservative-laden breads. No! There were no shortcuts, and fresh daily bread was vital to their health and well-being. Not just the bread of substance, but the bread of His Word to nourish, encourage, help, and sustain them.

Fresh daily bread is needed for our bodies and our souls. And is it any wonder we grow sick or weary when we neglect to feed our bodies and souls?

A new bakery close to my home is also a reminder to partake of both. That crispy warm plain or chocolate croissant or warm cinnamon roll dripping with icing is a reminder to also partake of the Word and taste and see and know that He is good!

I’m hungry now! My mouth is watering, as is my soul, imagining a slice of warm bread lathered in butter and jam. And I’m looking in His Word for a little fresh bread spiritually, too. What about you?

"Are you hungry yet...?"

Beloved:

Just as surely as your body needs the nutrients and nourishment of healthy daily food and bread, you need Me, too. More than you know! Come to Me, for I am your Bread of Life. Partake of Me, and I will nourish your weary soul and strengthen you. Oh, taste and see and know that I am good! You have many delights in Me you have yet to taste! I will indeed nurture you to the fullest.

“Give us this day our daily bread…” (Matthew 6:11)

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalms 34:8 NKJ)

“Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.’” (John 6:35 NLV)