Our Daily Bread

Give us this day our daily bread.

“You don’t look like you’re having much fun,” my husband said.

Blowing a stray hair out of my face to avoid touching it with my flour-covered hands, I sighed. “Nope.”

What was supposed to be an exciting experience was turning into—well, a dud. My thoughtful husband had given me a few cooking classes for my birthday. They were live Zoom classes facilitated by a former Top Chef contestant I adored, both for her positive energy and the masterful way she incorporated her Vietnamese culture, New Orleans residency, and pastry chef training into mouthwatering dishes.

At first, I was excited. The classes should have been a home run, and most of them were terrific. Bo Kho? Amazing. Turkey gumbo? Mouthwatering. Banh mi sandwiches? Yes, please. Pho? I will eat that all day, every day.

But then the croissant class arrived. And as it went on, my enthusiasm plummeted.

Making croissants is a painstaking process. Butter is placed in the dough in a certain way, and then the dough is rolled out, then folded in. Rolled out, folded in—again and again. By the time we were finished, my arms ached from the effort. It was hard, uncomfortable work.

While the process wasn’t my idea of fun, the finished product was delicious. Even more, I left the experience with a renewed respect and gratitude for those who master the skills for creating such a seemingly simple item. All too often, I take everyday things like bread for granted. Yet not only is food necessary for our survival but it’s also a source of delight. After all, we live in a world full of delicious fare and have access to cuisines from all around the world. When Jesus taught people to pray in Matthew 6, he specifically mentioned a food we eat each day. We regularly express our gratitude to God for providing our daily bread, but we can also thank the individuals who prepare it for us. Breads and meals of any kind—and the work that goes into them—are worthy of admiration. And they are surely worthy of our gratitude.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Thank someone who made an item of food that you consume, whether it’s someone in your home, a restaurant chef, a baker, or a company whose products you enjoy.