Tag: serving

Motivational Monday

Hey friends!!  Today I want to talk about something very different than my norm.  BREAD MAKING!!  I know, I know.  This isn’t a cooking show!  But stay with me here.  Let’s talk about it.

Most of you know by now, I really enjoy cooking.  And I especially enjoy baking.  Being a diabetic, baking and diabetes don’t exactly go hand in hand BUT that’s why I have many people willing to take these carbs off my hands.  Recently, I have REALLY gotten into making bread.  Without going into too much detail, I have been reading up on what preservatives are in our food.  And I have seen first hand how long store bought bread lasts versus homemade bread.  So this year, I made a pact with myself to make more of our bread (notice I didn’t say all because…that’s a lot).

After making several different types of loaves of bread, I was ready to try sourdough.  It was REALLY intimidating to me.  There are so many “rules”.  I tried a couple of years ago to start a starter and I failed miserably.  I was so defeated because I really babied it!  But this time, I felt like I could do it.  And I did!!  It took weeks for the starter to be a good, viable starter.  And then, there is the breadmaking part.    Did you know that it takes 24-48 hours to actually get a loaf of sourdough baked so you can eat it?  It has to be stretched and folded and hang out in the fridge before you can bake it or it’s no good.  Needless to say, it’s…way more than I thought.  But deep down, I really love it.  And this weekend, I was reflecting on what this process has taught me.

To start with, you really need good quality ingredients.  Since this bread was started because I was concerned about what is going into our bodies, I did research.  In fact, I devoted a crazy amount of time in studying up to make sure I was getting the most nutritional, first rate bread.  Am I that devoted to the ingredients I put into my relationship with the Lord?  Let’s just say, I can do better.  With equal parts of time and effort and a dash of attention, our relationship can bloom (like yeast) into something that never stops growing.

Not only did the starter take weeks to be ready to bake with, but the entire bread making process is time consuming.  And, I’ll be the first to admit, I am not a patient person.  But all of the best things in life take time and preparation.  You see, there are a lot of times in bread making that it looks like nothing is happening. But then you see a bubble in the dough, you then realize your hard work is paying off (this bread is going to make it!).  Kinda like how God works in your life.  You are rocking through life and you think He’s absent, and then suddenly His plan starts to unfold.  And you realize He was working the whole time.  Like your starter..

Lastly, when I make bread, it makes 2 BIG loaves.  Sure, I can freeze one and hopefully it will be good later.  But you know as well as I do, it won’t be as good as it is when it’s fresh.  So, I always give one away.  Usually it’s a neighbor or coworkers but this weekend it was taken to my momma.  I intentionally baked it for her and then hand delivered it to her.  I stayed and visited with her.  She really appreciated my efforts and I, of course, just appreciate her.  But that bread, which is nothing more than flour and water, was shared with someone I love.  It brought us together.  It doesn’t matter if it’s my mom or a stranger, we share a smile and a bond when I give it to them.  Whether they recognize it or not, this act is how Jesus taught us to live.  With love, kindness, mercy and a need to serve others.

When I started this bread making journey, I just wanted to see if: 1. I could do it and 2. I wanted to know what I was eating.  I never expected to make parallels between breadmaking to christianity.  Sure, eating and making bread is talked about all throughout the Bible.  But I didn’t really see the comparisons until I was in the throes of being patient!  Also it’s crazy how very few limited ingredients turn into nutritional, beautiful, tasty bread.  When you really stop and think about how we are to live, it’s really not hard.  In fact, the ingredients are pretty limited.  We overthink and become intimidated which sometimes causes us to give up prematurely or not start the process at all.  When it comes to breadmaking, it’s just flour, water and time.  You are not losing much.  But think about what you lose if you don’t knead your relationship with the Lord…

Love you all and see you next week!

Jennifer


Motivational Monday- July 1, 2024

Hey friends!  How was your week last week?  This week HOPEFULLY will be a fun, safe week with the 4th on Thursday.  

Recently, it has weighed heavy on my heart to do a private bible study about being a servant.  I’ll be honest, I knew to serve but the word “servant” was catching me off guard a little.  This might sound silly, but I always reserved the word “servant” for those who are in leadership positions in the church; when in reality, I am (or should be) a servant.  So let’s talk about it!

Recently, I accepted the position of secretary for the church.  When I accepted this position, I wanted to make sure my heart was in the right place and I was adequately serving the Lord, the church leadership, church members, visitors, my family and myself.  So, I started a bible study on my own about being a servant.  I didn’t expect to learn as much as I have but it has been eye opening.  While doing my study, there are 5 traits that really stood out of a true servant.  

  1. Humility

Some people believe being a servant starts with an opportunity.  But if you aren’t humble, you wouldn’t recognize the opportunity.  Being humble is not something that can be taught nor is ti an acquired skill.  Humility is being honest with yourself and those around you.  It’s being teachable and allowing yourself to be vulnerable.  Humility is not thinking less of yourself or a sign of weakness.  

  1. Seeing Needs

A true servant sees true needs.  They are usually observant, compassionate, or have the ability to being open to allow people to share their needs.  When I am in Walmart, I will talk to people I’ve never met and before long, I know they have been in rehab!  People just tell me things.  Are you one of those people?  A true servant sees other people needs around you

  1. Compassion

Compassion is the ability to be moved by someone’s need or pain. Compassion is grounded in empathy and the ability to put yourself in their situation.  I think the classic role model for compassion is the Good Samaritan.  When Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan and robbery victim, he stated the Samaritan, “had compassion on him.”  He helped the victim by tending to his wounds and carrying him to a safe place.  Compassion leads to serving

  1. Courage

Man, if you have ever served then you know there are times it takes out of your comfort zone.  This could be physically, emotionally or mentally.  But a true servant pushes past the fear and uncomfortableness.  If you don’t push past it, it can cause you to ignore a need that is happening right in front of you!  Listen, self-protection is natural but there are times we have to set that to the side and help those who need us.  

  1. Sense of Responsibility

A true servant doesn’t feel responsible for someone’s pain.  But they do feel a sense of responsibility to alleviate their pain.  When you follow Christ, this sense of responsibility comes from obeying God.  In the Bible, we have time and again God has a soft spot for the poor and oppressed.  By serving, you are just an instrument that God is using to heal.

At Spring Creek, I am so honored to say we have SO MANY SERVANTS.  Truly.  There are so many things I love about our church but one of my top 3 is the genuineness of our people.  Everyone is ready to lend a helping hand if needed AND they do it without saying something under their breath!  They WANT to help each other.  I can’t tell you how many times I have been feeling down or just not myself, and someone will just ask, “You ok?”  I know that’s small but they noticed a need.

So this week, I am going to challenge you to examine your servant heart.  What are your strengths and weaknesses?  How can you use your strengths to help others?  Who can you lean on for your weaknesses?  

Love you all and see you next week,

Jennifer

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