Kneading Bread

Do you ever find joy in the most unusual things? Recently, for me, it’s been something I never would have thought of before.

Every night after my babies have gone to sleep and the house becomes quiet and still, my hands are still working. I mix together flour, water, oil, sugar, and salt and begin kneading the dough that will become our bread. Sometimes it’s for our weekly sandwich loaf, other times it’s bread for others, and often it’s just for fun and practice. It’s quickly become a habit that I look forward to. Sure, there are some nights when I’m ready to go ahead and rest. But kneading dough has, in a way, become my mental rest. This simple motion gives my mind time to play catch up from the busy day behind me.

You see, kneading bread takes time. It’s methodical and requires patience to reach just the right consistency. During this time, I reflect on my day and think about the week ahead. And recently, I pray.
Prayer is something I have really struggled with. I make excuses, fall asleep, or run through a prayer without much thought. How crazy, that I would rush through talking to and praising my Creator. My Sustainer. My Savior.

Kneading bread gives me time to focus. It gives me time to pray. Really, it forces me to slow down in the best way. Then there’s the sweet reward of giving your family bread that truly has had so much thought and love poured into it. How sweet it is to share a meal with your family that has been made with prayers of thankfulness and petitions.

So here is my challenge for you (and me!):

The next time you find yourself going through the motions of a mundane task, fill that time with prayer. Fill it with prayers of worship, prayers of thankfulness, and prayers for family and friends. Find the beauty and joy of God’s grace in every moment.