A fresh loaf of bread sits in stillness on the counter. Steam escapes from the crust, breathing its warm breath into the air. Grains burst above a slightly misshapen surface, evidence of being kneaded by hand. The dome of baked dough smells of yeast and toasted wheat.
This simple loaf of bread communicates with the senses. Its warmth speaks of life and growth. Its nuts and grains and kernels announce the source of each ingredient – seeds from soil providing a substance to create sustenance for those daily walking on said ground. Its smell singing a siren song to hungry mouths.
Bread is an elemental, earthy part of sustaining our physical life. It is equally at the root of sustaining our spiritual life. The bread we break around the table keeps our body nourished. The bread we break in communion is a reminder of the Body broken to keep our souls from perishing.
God uses this humble food to illustrate Jesus’ life-giving power.
I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
{John 6:32, 33, 35}
Bread of My Life
I adore bread. Toast and tea in the afternoon. Bread and jam if I wake up hungry at night. A sandwich on thick slabs of rosemary currant bread for lunch. You get the idea. If left to my own devises, I would consume bread at every meal.
I feel satisfied when I eat bread. It expands to fill my stomach, leaving me full and warm – content. Bread is comforting and safe. It reminds me of youth and PB&J in my lunchbox.
Oh that I would come to Jesus, the God-proclaimed Bread of Life, with the same love and excitement that I feel for plain old sliced bread.
When I feel the hunger pangs of fear and anxiety, do I eat of His word? When I am thirsty for wisdom, do I ask for His knowledge to quench my desire? When I feel empty and burdened, do I let Him fill me up?
How do you approach the Bread of Life?
Emily C Gardner 
Once again God delivers what I needed and wasn’t aware I might receive from His. So often we search for one thing, a door closes, and He provides insight afterwards. Today was sad but as I shifted gears to search for Juliennes rosemary raisin bread recipe for our Women’s Titus 2 Christmas Tea, He brought me here. Just what I needed to see to be reminded that he is truly on the throne and seeks to remind me that His plan is for my good. Thank you for being a vessel He has graciously used.
Virginia, it blesses me so much to hear this! 1. I love that you initially stopped here because of Julienne’s Rosemary Raisin Bread. Before we moved, my mom and I would go there about once a month. We have such fond memories at Julienne! 2. I love how God orchestrates things to meet us right where we need to be met. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving :)