What does bread baking have to do with a writing ministry?
It’s been a busy and fun two weeks! My husband and I are done with medical appointments for a while, so we caught up on a project we’ve wanted to produce for some time—a video series to post on YouTube about how to make homemade bread.
“Wait a minute,” you’re thinking. “Did I sign up for the wrong newsletter? Hello! Is this the newsletter for Karen Wingate, the author who talks about seeing God with fresh eyes and being grateful for everything?”
Watch my video to see what I’m talking about.
Yes, bread baking is part of my service to Jesus and outreach to people. It’s something I’ve done since the ripe young age of ten. It’s that extra-curricular activity that had more extra than I ever expected.
See the Introduction to the Youtube Baker’s Dozen that tells the backstory about my bread baking here.
How do I incorporate bread baking into my overall ministry?
- Bread baking blesses others. I can’t eat all that bread by myself! So I give it away– whether to welcome a stranger to our neighborhood or my church, comfort a friend going through a hard time, or provide nourishing food to someone recovering from an illness or injury.
- Bread baking builds relationships. The gift lets me step over the threshold into people’s lives. I look for chances to linger and develop relationships so God can use me to share more about the hope I find in Jesus.
- Baking is a change of pace and a break from the computer. I use my bread making moments to plot and plan future projects. I pray for the recipients of my bread. And I joke that bread baking is my therapy.
- Bread baking is a creative outlet. I love the bread baking process! Art meets science, history meets the ordinary, and kitchens stir up wonderful memories of home, family, and good moments. Bread baking refuels my creativity tank which, in turn, makes me a better writer.
Isn’t it exciting that we can use any of the gifts, skills, and interests that God has put inside of us to honor Him and reach out to others with His love? Anything! We’re not talking about spiritual gifts here. We’re talking about your love of gardening, fiber arts, crafts, cooking, people skills, home maintenance and décor, love of board games . . . and the list can go on.
Paul said,
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17). Whatever!
And Peter said,
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10).” There’s that word whatever again. We get to use whatever gifts God has put within us to serve others in a way that God “may be praised through Jesus Christ (v. 11).”
What can you do?
This week, look at what you have within you. How can you use that to bless and serve others? Don’t know? Think about what you like to do. Then go to God in praying, asking Him, “Lord, how can I use this for You?”
- Teach a child, grandchild, or neighborhood child how to garden.
- Use your craft skills in a Vacation Bible School class
- Knit or crochet washcloths and stuffed animals for Operation Christmas Child boxes
- Make cookie packets for first time visitors at your church.
- Offer to do free car maintenance or house repairs for people in your church.
- Use graphic design skills to create a newsletter template for your church’s students ministry department.
Want to try something new or get better at a skill that lies dormant? Maybe that skill you’d like to develop is making homemade bread? Let’s form a Bread Baker’s Brigade. Get your start with my 13-video series, The Baker’s Dozen, on YouTube and let’s bless others together in the name of Jesus.
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