One of the things I enjoy—it’s also quite therapeutic—is baking bread. And it’s always fun when my beloved offers to help.
From the minute the first puffs of bread flour cascade into the mixture of water and yeast, the process is one of delectable smells and intriguing textures.
But there’s more. A whole lot more. Dozens upon dozens of cookbooks are dedicated to the art and practice of making bread. Which means hundreds and hundreds of recipes. That many? Yep.
Any way you slice it [you saw that coming, didn’t you], there’s certain to be a shape and flavor of bread to please any palate. Round loaves. Rectangle loaves. Braided loaves. Knotty-shaped loaves. Bread with nuts, berries or raisins.
The purist might narrow the varieties to a couple, but to do so would be like going to the neighborhood bakery only to discover every tray and display case is filled with row upon row of lemon tarts. Not your flavor? Sorry, that’s all we make.
Which brings us to you and me.
We are not unlike the bread we enjoy. Some are round. Some are plump. Others are long and thin. And yes, we have among us a few of the knotty sort.
But here’s the best part—our uniqueness has been given to us by our God who delights in creating human beings with special blends of “flavor and texture.” Different personalities. Different gifts. A multitude of perspectives and experiences.
Wouldn’t it be life-changing if we began to see our diversity as enriching our lives? That what appears to be odd or peculiar may actually be a blessing in an unfamiliar form?
Whether it’s the butter, the jam, the olive oil or any other of the fragrant seasonings that can transform ordinary ingredients into a tasty treat, so to the nuances and characteristics our Creator God has given you and me.
Like the bread, we begin this life ‘in the oven’. But that’s only the beginning. What about today? This moment?
Maybe now’s the time you need to believe it’s not too late to be who and what only you can be. And in the process, be assured God will help you rise to the occasion.
[Updated June 2019]
