Reforming the Feminine ContentThe Bread Taught me to Chill
One of my three roommates bought a tennis racket at a garage sale two weeks ago and the guy generously threw in an Oster deluxe bread machine. Older, more experienced women would have smiled and knowingly shook their heads, ‘no thank you.’ But the addition of the bread machine in our kitchen thrilled us all.
The next day, she made her first loaf with the new contraption. Four hours after she began, we found out why the previous owner had parted with it for so little. We pulled out a short, squatty loaf about half the size of what the pictures in the manual depicted. Still delighted with our new domestic tool, we gratefully ate the wheat half loaf. And while it tasted fine, it was dense enough to sink a small ship.
The next one was worse. It fell apart before we could slice it and looked more like chunky applesauce than actual bread. Nearing frustration, my roommate carefully began to troubleshoot, reading the directions aloud. “If bread doesn’t rise enough, the problem could be not enough yeast, old yeast, wrong type of yeast, too much water, too little water, or the water used was not at room temperature or, of course, too much sugar.”
I can’t tell you how many times I feel like a squatty half loaf, failing to rise up to my own expectations. The list of possible culprits fills my head, and quickly threatens toward discouragement. It is in these times that I must hang onto Jesus’ words to the Apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
As He continues to shape me and create in me a new life, I am learning to rest knowing that He knows exactly what needs to change in order to produce the Godly fruit he asks of me. On my own, I’m stuck changing my hairstyle, outfit and attitude, while deep, underlying issues go undiagnosed. But, He assures me of his faithfulness again,
“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
Though we are still not sure what the deal is with our bread machine, I am happy to announce that after much effort and practice, the Oster gave birth to its first healthy, full size loaf of wheat bread on Monday night.
Note. I’m also learning to not pretend the world rests on my shoulders and beginning to have more realistic expectations!
Thanks, Hannah. I’ve spent a lifetime obsessing over the things I could control and despairing over the things I couldn’t. Praise God for His promise in Phil. 1:6. I also love the promise in Phil. 2 that God works in us to give us both the desire and ability to do the work He has for us. Of course, we expect it all overnight. I’m learning to be patient, to yield to Him, and to trust Him to rise the dough so to speak.
Haha! I love the “If bread doesn’t rise enough, the problem could be not enough yeast, old yeast, wrong type of yeast, too much water, too little water, or the water used was not at room temperature or, of course, too much sugar.â€
that always made me so angry about the bread and I’d shake the little half-loaf and say, “well, WHICH IS IT??!”
And the same goes for real life…
Awesome post.