I’ve been wandering through a period of friendly baking/easy sharing. Last year at about this time I was recovering from a spate of struggles and barely making it through each day–so I’ve walked into this season of Autumn 2012, into the new school year and the changes that that brings, with careful steps.
Recent Realization: Unconsciously I’ve been a bit wimpy in my bread sharing. Lots of loaves for friends and neighbors. Some for those with new babies, some for those struggling with grief, but none where I’ve had to really stretch and open myself up to the uncomfortable.
So this is a way of telling myself that it’s okay to take some risks before this trend of friendly bread goes on much longer. Last fall is over; it is a brand new season, and today is wanting to reveal itself without my manipulating it. I sense God wanting to work and I don’t want to side step the many opportunities that may come my way.
So, to recap some sharing endeavors with friendlies this last week:
- Gave yet another loaf of bread (this one with cheese!) to neighbors that we adore and don’t get to see often enough.
- Shared bread with my parents, who live way too far from my brothers’ bakery to have the delicious daily fresh loaf that they’re used to.
- Made muffins and rice crispy treats for the first grade class and the 7-year-old’s marshmallow party. (Happy birthday, John Ronan!!!!)
All very friendly. And so much fun. But I sense the season for stretching is here.
Cheer me on, will you?!
The Woman and the Wheat 
Pingback: Orthodox Collective
Thanks for the delicious bread you gave to the St. Brigid dinner tonight. What kind was it? it was sweet and chewy. And brown.
It’s molasses bread. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Obadiah. Filled with good, filling things, that bread is…
Dearest Jane,
Yes, the season of giving and sharing is here….what better time than the holidays to stretch….just think of all the stretching you can do while making bread. You can stretch physcially, spiritually, emotionally and even mentally. Sounds like a lot of fun! Too bad I wasn’t closer or I would be over in my cheerleading uniform with pom poms REALLY cheering you on! RAH RAH SHISH KUM BA!
Love,
Kh. Tammy
p.s. (I don’t really have a cheerleading uniform!)
Yes, time to stretch! And time to cheer each other on–thanks, Tammy for the shish kum bahs!
I think you are incredibly brave to go out of your comfort zone and share with strangers. I don’t know if I have that in me. As the Nativity Fast begins, you can challenge yourself to share with a stranger a week (or something like that). Think of it as almsgiving 🙂 Blessings to you!
Yay, Jane! You are my hero. I spend most of my time doing for myself and my family and not very much time giving to others. I want to enter into this season getting out of my comfort zone, too, and I could probably use more of a boot than a cheer. May the Lord help me open up my heart to others and just thinking about your bread giving will help me. Thanks!