Bread dough the color of molasses yielded to the pressure of my working fist. Fold, press, turn, repeat, and soon I lost count of how many times I had kneaded the fragrant lump. With the recipe calling for three hundred repetitions, I began to wonder—
Three hundred?
Really?
But switching to the heel of my hand, I persevered.
Eventually, I sensed a change in the texture and smooth elasticity as the gluten developed the necessary strands that would capture the gas bubbles created by the yeast, allowing the dough to stretch and expand as it rose.
Bread-makers want to create the conditions for the dough to rise, but we are completely helpless to make it happen on our own.
So we trust the recipe.
We follow the directions given.
Reading the Bible and kneading bread as purely physical acts could easily become sheer discipline, items on a never-ending checklist. However, viewed with an awareness of the invisible, life-giving force at work behind the scenes, I find that I am participating in something that is bigger than what I can see.
A few days after Jana Carlson invited me to write a post for Women Wielding the Word, I stood at the kitchen counter and experienced the connection between the disciplines of the Christian life and the simple, methodical, and yet crucial act of kneading bread dough. I invite you to join me over at Jana’s place for a quiet meditation at the meeting place between ordinary life and supernatural truth.
Looking forward to meeting you there!
Following the directions,
![michele signature[1]](https://michelemorin.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/michele-signature1-e1518630301609.jpg?w=739)
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Photo by Duminda Perera on Unsplash
Very good connection. We Newfoundlanders bake a lot of bread. Traditionally, loaves are shaped into three parts , as a reminder of the Trinity. 🤗
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I no longer bake, but I can appreciate this analogy. Thank you!
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Faith, right? I experience the same metaphor when I knit: sort of a, hmn….is this right? I’m not so sure. And then I remind myself to just follow. And it’s amazing what comes of that trust…the resultant fabric resembling what it was meant to all along.
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I’m making a pair of pink mittens right now for my grand girl, so YES! I get the connection!
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Thanks so much for sharing your valuable insight at Wield The Word! I’m absolutely delighted to have you and love your analogy here.
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Thanks so much for the invitation!
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Beautiful insight. I have not made bread for years, but I used to make it all the time. Every once in a while I wonder if I might try it again, but so far it hasn’t happened. Thank the Lord that He doesn’t stop “kneading” our lives to produce bread to feed others.
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Oh, yes…
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I think your analogy is perfect, we need to ‘work’ to get to where we want to be in life, moulding our future with decisions and choices. If we make the right ones we will transform and rise to be our better selves. #TwinklyTuesday
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If we wait for it to happen without making provsion for it, we will be disappointed for sure!
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What a great analogy! We need to stick with the Word and follow directions. Results will come. ❤ (And you're making me wonder if my bread would be better if I followed directions and actually got more serious about kneading as much as a recipe calls for?)
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I have found that it’s really true. Lots of kneading helps, and our pioneer ancestors were much more patient than we are.
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This was a wonderful article, Michele! I hope many click over to read it all!
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Thanks, Joanne!
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I’m headed over to Jana’s blog to read the rest, Michele. What a great analogy, “the connection between the disciplines of the Christian life and the simple, methodical, and yet crucial act of kneading bread dough.” I love it when we can see the spiritual in the every day!
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
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I don’t think I’ll ever forget that afternoon at the counter, listening to the voice of the Spirit and kneading bread. The connection came all at once, and I was thankful.
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I love a bread analogy! Heading over to Weild the word for the rest of the story!
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Thanks, Laurie!
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A wise reminder that we should be guided and not think we know better. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
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Reading the Word is so key to creating conditions for spiritual growth. Thanks for the encouragement. It was great finding you in the Grace and Truth Link up!
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Thank YOU!
Have a great week.
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A wonderful analogy. Thanks for linking up #twinklytuesday
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What a beautiful connection to have thought of in the simple, humble art of making bread. It’s a great reflection piece. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with the #DreamTeam
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I was so grateful.
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too!
Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #OverTheMoon this week. Each Hostess displays their own features so be sure to visit me on Sunday evening and to see your feature! I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. Please don’t forget to add your link numbers or post title so we can be sure to visit!
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Thank you, Marilyn
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