I had split pea soup planned for dinner tonite and wanted to serve a crusty loaf of this wonderful bread we've come to really love lately. So, with the kids busy in an art class you'd think I'd use my time wisely and not start a batch of bread, right? Wrong. I had to stop and get some beer, for the recipe, of course. The gas station that sells them by the bottle (not case) was on the way home after dropping the kids and I was sucked in the anticipation of a project to be proudly crossed off my busy to-do list! As I was standing in line to check out with the obnoxious bottle of beer I was getting more and more embarassed and self-concious. What would people think if they knew I had 4 kids and that I home educate my children and you get the picture by now. I was thoroughly red by the time my turn came. So, to add to my embarassment the clerk asks me for my ID. Now, listen, I just found some gray hair after I chuckled at my friend's Angel post about the dilemma of what to do with those crazy, unruly gray hairs. I didn't think I had to worry about gray especially since I am dirty blond naturally . Oh, God has ways to humble us more than once a day, doesn't he? So, this dude dares me to my ID! I just about lost it! But I acted cool and teased the guy about being in the mood for joking with busy mothers in the mornings. First he told me that he sometimes drinks in the ams himself and that he just wanted to make sure I was a responsible driver! So, he wasn't joking after all, he was serious! He thought I looked young enough ( to have fun at my expense I'd say). I tried to tell him that it's for making bread and refused to open my wallet in indignation! Anyway, now I was really ready to use that beer on his head instead of my recipe. Anyway, I ended up opening my wallet with my kids wallet pic proudly displayed there and appeased him! NExt, I got home and figured it's not going to take me that long to get the dough going. It's gonna have to soak for at least 7 hours and I figured I can bake it by dinner time. I was getting pretty unhumble about my efficiency, my age and the whole deal. Well, I quardupled the amount of liquid the recipe called for but not the amount of dry ingredients. I found out my mistake by the time I used a whole bag of organic white flour (yes, it's 2/3 white flour but it's so well worth it, y'all and it's soaked overnite which is much healthier, so it's worth the white flour). I added as much flour as I possibly could to make up for that much moisture and decided that I've had enough work for the day. I wanted to change my name to Mary. It's a quiet time with NO kids so what was I waiting for acting like Martha?
My BIble opened to the bookmarked page I read the children the same morning- Isaiah 66:2
NASB But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word
I am taking a Principles of Biblical Research class and decided to go deeper and look up the translation of a few more versions of the same verse as the teacher encouraged us. I have really enjoyed comparing different versions and let God speak to me and listen to what does that verse mean to me?
Amplified Bible But this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and of a broken or wounded spirit, and who trembles at My word and reveres My commands.
KJV but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Young's Literal Translation And unto this one I look attentively, Unto the humble and bruised in spirit, And who is trembling at My word.
"This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. NIV.
Did it speak to me? You bet. THis is how I translated it (literally): Girl, get out of that kitchen, stop trying to impress somebody, use your time wisely, search for me and my Word and you will find favor with ME.
Even a simple thing one can take pride in- whether it is homemaking, color of hair, a lean and healthy body, healthy eating-anything small could cause us easily to act puffed up-the opposite of contrite but yet, how we fail to recognize it so often. I wanted to post this whole thing about how I make this bread and how you can make it easy too and got carried away! But it boiled down to a simple thing what were my motives? Were they so the Lord or man can look and have regard? Was it so He can look at me attentively and find me humble, bruised in spirit and trembling at his word? Apparently not. It definitely humbled me for the rest of the day. I pray that it is so seared in my conscience and heart that I walk it daily. The bread seems to be doing its rising, despite my puffed up knowledge and experience. I will continue baking it tomorrow (and hope that it works) and pray that it is a reminder to me tomorrow of His Mercy and Grace. The day after I hope not to need another miracle or revelation to keep me on the right track, but the thought of Jesus being pleased with me should be enough.
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