Fresh Bread

I have no talent for making bread.

So I set out a store bought loaf of frozen dough to thaw (cheating, and not at all the real thing, I know!), thinking to have a "decent" loaf of baked bread for my parents while they were visiting. I set it out in the morning before running to the dealership to pick up my car from inspection and service (ouch!), and then we ran to town for an all day shopping excursion through the usual stores that we hit when they come to town. Marshall's (my fave!) JoAnn's (my other fave). Lunch at Buca's. Costco's on the way to Barnes and Noble (my other, other fave!!) then to Half Price Books (need I say it. my o-o-other fave...). These just happen to coincide with the 'rents fave stores as well, so we had a rather pleasant long day (and more ouch!).

But when we got back, it was still miserably flat. I forgot to set it near the warmth of the stove, which since it wasn't on, wasn't really warm anyway.

Well, they were planning on heading home after supper, except the snow kicked up and the temps went down, and reports remained steady -not good out. So they stayed and I baked the bread later. Then it came out of the oven, but not out of the pan. Silly me, I forgot to grease the pan before hand! Well, needless to say it was a bit mangled in the process.

Made me think of sharing bread. We can make bread for ourselves and it can be a beautiful loaf, but to enjoy the fruits of our labors and to share it with others, we need to have greased the pan beforehand, or if we're not careful, it may come out a mangled mess... So here's a prayer set "loosely" to hymn 213/235.

We love the tender way of God
And in all Thy will abide
We love Thy gracious gentle hand
That thru each new day will guide

Grant us the wisdom of Thy Son
That we His image may bear
We Thy infinite mercy seek
To show us His tender care

Although a narrow path we walk
Help us to find the words to speak
That our words and actions meld
To answer in Spirit meek

Grant us the patience to be kind
Even when the world would not
A life was paid for our name
In patience our souls He bought

When all the world around us rage
Mold our spirit to Thy Will
That we may find Thee in peace
Help us Father to be still.

A.E. Eaker 2007