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Yeast and Timing

I am a baker. I love to bake, decorate treats, and share them with others. I am continuing to grow in my skills to become a better baker overall. Bread is my big challenge. I have found that I am only successful on basic white bread - yummy but lacks the artisanal goal I have set in my mind.


Recently I found that even my white bread was not rising as it should. Some of the loaves were dense and lacked the nice, soft, airiness that it should have. When looking back to trying to trouble shoot the problem I came across two things: Yeast and Timing.


The yeast I have been using is out of its original package and just in a plastic baggy in the cupboard. I never thought about storage, shelf life, or if it would no longer work after a period of time. Well, I was definitely naive on that! I learned that yeast is an active organism and can lose effectiveness when not stored properly, given the right temperature to activate it, or just naturally loose its ability to work.


Timing was also an issue. I found that lately I had been caught up in crazy multi-tasking and had not made sure the yeast bubbled sufficiently before using it. I had also not paid attention to the temperature of the room, allowing the bread to rise in a warm environment. It’s cold outside and sometimes inside, so just a towel over top of the rising loaf was not sufficient. Lastly I found that in my to do list of the day, I forgot the to check on the rising loaves to make sure things were going as planned.


How alike this is to our lives? We are busy with life and just expect things to work out, instead of paying attention, proofing something, and allowing for slowing down to check the progress. We become entangled in the daily life lists of doing things, and forget to slow down and pay attention.


Our yeast, the active growing part of our faith is left out on the counter, is met with cool water, or has expired as we fail to immerse ourselves in the process. This can only come through time with the Maker, as He grows us daily. Our part is to nourish the yeast of our faith through prayer, time spent in the Bible, and sharing our faith in every aspect of our life.


As the holidays are upon us, I encourage you (and I) to slow down, and nourish our hearts in time truly spent growing our faith. May your hearts be overflowing with joy, peace, and love as we acknowledge the activator of our faith in Jesus. 

Seasons

     I love the change of Seasons! I eagerly look forward to each new Season for the signature flowers, sun, fall of leaves, or dusting of snow. Each one has its unique wonders and delights.


     I smile as I think of the colors and smells of the flowers. I am captivated by hummingbirds flitting from flower to flower looking for nectar treasures. I am filled with joy at a planted seed shooting through the soil, reaching to the sky.


     In the summer I look eagerly to the warmth of the summer days, times spent playing in water, and the ability to embrace the beauty of nature.


     In the fall I love seeing the change of colors, laugh at the thrill of a grandchild trying to catch a falling leaf, and the feel of the cool of the evenings.


     In the Winter I embrace the crisp air, delight of the first snow fall, and peaceful silence it creates.


     How like the Seasons are the days and years of our lives. We move from decade to decade or life event to event. Sometimes the movement is so fast, we forget we are merely in a Season. Time can ensnare us into the task at hand being all important, all consuming, that we loose sight of the Season we are in.


    As the Seasons of the year change and meld into the next, take time to stop and see the hummingbird, try to catch a falling leaf, and sit contemplatively in the peace from the snow. Draw from natures gifts, don’t let them pass by in the hurries of the day. Rest in the moment and enjoy.


For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven

Ecclesiastes 3:1 


Lessons in Life on the Farm - Bats

     When I lived on the family farm, I would have never thought I could learn a lesson from a bat. I like to swim in the early evening after work, usually alone as other are finishing their day and getting ready to wind down for bed. 

     Bats I've learned are good, and far different than the reputation they received on television. They eat bugs! That's enough for me, as I don't like bugs. 

    As I was swimming one evening the sun was setting, and I could see the bats flying above in and out of the trees.  I noticed their flight was strange, almost appearing to be spastic. They didn't have the grace and glide of other birds, but appeared to flap furiously to get and keep in motion. They never had a straight path and would almost zig zag in the flight pattern. I wondered how they could actually catch a bug with all that shaky flapping. I noticed that they appeared to by all  body, with little wings and little to no tail. No wonder they had difficulty if they didn't have a rudder to stabilize and straighten their path.

     Just about that time, they started to join me in the pool. They would flap crazily in that uneven flight plan, and then buzz past me to glide over the top of the water to scoop a drink of water in their mouth. They did this for almost 40 minutes, and only once did I almost come face to face with one, while continuing to swim my laps in the pool. It amazed me that they could glide straight, while not appearing to be able to fly in a straight path. 

     Isn't that just like our life? We try to madly flap our wings, making our own path and plans, but can't remain stable. Once we relax and allow God to lead us, our path is straight and full of cool water to quench our thirst. 

     Lord, keep me from having a tail rudder and trying to guide my own flight. Lead me to your peace, relaxing in your presence and the promise of cool water!

Lessons in Life on the Farm - Ants

     Sheep Ants- well I know this isn't their real name. We saw a small walking puff of cotton and were fascinated. We did what every city slicker does, we put it in a jar and went to find my mother. To us, my mother was our Farm Dictionary. She had spent equal time in her 80+ years living in the city and country, and had much knowledge to share. 

     We proudly showed her our jar with our Sheep Ant, thinking maybe we had discovered some new bug. My mother smiled graciously and told us it was a part of the ant family, and was deceptive  in it's appearance. Though it looks like a puff of cotton, it is one of the toughest and most aggressive ants. It's bite is sharp and burns. Our Farm Dictionary (Mother), stated to avoid them and carefully watch where you walk.

     It is so easy for us to be taken in by something we see as soft and harmless. We let our guard down, not really knowing the danger that has been there all along. In Matthew 7:15 it states to watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  

     We must not be ignorant or lazy, or we run the risk of a dangerous bite of a wolf in sheep's clothing. Lord, please keep my eyes truly open. Guide me with your knowledge and wisdom. 

Lessons in Life on the Farm- Heat

     It was over 100 degrees for a week. No matter how much water, shade, or type of cooling system, I just couldn't seem to cool down.  Even the animals were too hot. We rarely saw the barn cats during the day, knowing that they had found a cool place somewhere to lie down and wait until early evening. 

     The air was thick and still, too hot for even a breeze. There was a wisp of a promise of shade or summer shower with the clouds in the distance. Everything moved slowly.

     During this time I felt a little guilty at not having the desire or energy to work as I normally do. I struggled with self-perceived laziness. My to do list did not lessen, so in theory it was getting longer with the tasks of the day. I stopped and questioned why I was making myself feel less today- less than productive, less than motivated, less than worthy, less...

    In my Father's eyes I am worthy, I am loved, and I am fulfilled. Through Jesus sacrifice and gift, I am whole.

     I will stop with  self-degradation. I will embrace God's design. He made the sun and moon. He made the seasons. I will rest in His presence and still have a small hope for a cooler tomorrow.

Lord, thank you for teaching me to rest in you. 

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