Fresh Baked Obedience

Last updated on: September 21, 2023 at 9:30 am by Faith E. Richardson

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Fresh Baked Obedience 2023-09-06T05:02:28-06:00 Faith E. Richardson

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Fresh baked bread

Such a savory morsel, Obedience. If it just came easier. Pixabay/Canva.com

Have you ever wished you could just stop the clock, rewind time, and yell, “DO OVER”? Unfortunately for me, I do!

I take the moment I wish I could erase, put on my apron, and begin to knead it repeatedly until a well-mixed and massive ball of disappointment and regret appears.

I let this massive ball rest, contemplating a solution to my stupidity. When suddenly, I looked back and this already massive ball, doubled in size. I dig my hands in and begin the kneading process all over again.

How Can I fix This?

This time the solution is clear, and I set out on a course to rectify what I thought was a simple misunderstanding. A simple explanation turns catastrophic when I add a dash of salt without making sure the lid was secure. Anger and Self-Righteousness, my bakery associates, stand by silently snickering as the mound of salt absorbs into my dough.

I cannot remove the excess salt and therefore grab the massive ball that has more than tripled in size by now. Then, instead of kneading, I slam it to the counter, smash it with my fist like a sledgehammer and slam it to the counter again. Anger is loving this. Self-Righteousness is my cheerleader.

Shame Charges Way Too Much for Her Inspections

Shame enters the room just as the flour settles. She skates through the flour-covered floor and stops next to the counter to inspect my dough. I slump over and place my head in my hands. Will the agony ever end?

Truth enters the chaos before Shame can render a verdict of her inspection. He clears the kitchen of all distractions. Anger and Self-righteousness linger, then scatter. Shame follows them reluctantly out of the room.

Now, Two Things Can Happen at this Point

I can continue to knead this massive ball of disappointment and regret myself and know it will become hard, crusty, and laced with resentment and suffering. It will cause catastrophic health issues if eaten.
OR I can give it to THE HEAD BAKER, right now, to fix, prepare and bake for me.

It’s a no-brainer, I choose the latter. He takes great care as He places it in the perfect loaf pan created just for me and this catastrophe. He adds mercy and compassion to the mix to give it the fine fresh flavors of forgiveness. I sigh in relief as disappointment and regret transform into grace, softening this massive loaf.

Fresh-baked obedience permeates the air as I breathe in its delicious aroma. Salivating, I swallow hard knowing everything is going to be okay.

In His timing, He removes the loaf from Love’s oven and, with gentleness, hands me a warm slice.

I see two assortments of spread left by Shame before she left. I choose Joy. And deliberately pass by Bitterness.

**When you do something you wish you could take back, can you forgive yourself?

Comment below and let me know how you do it.

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About Faith E. Richardson

Faith E. Richardson was born in Traverse City, Michigan. She lived there nine short years before moving with her mom to Fort Worth, Texas where she would remain for another eighteen years. After meeting Trent, the love of her life, they married and moved to Colorado where they raised their two children. Currently retired from decades of human resource work, Faith renewed her passion for writing. Her life experiences and dramatic flair for storytelling draw the reader in with thought-provoking material on the wonder and truth of spiritual encounters. It's her desire to get her readers as excited about the Holy Spirit as she is. You can read more about the author here.

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