As we move into Advent

Black Friday came and went at our house. We've typically stayed home to stay out of everyone else's way in the stores and in the streets. We move a little slower and our patience wears thin with those whose patience wears thin with us. Maybe you feel that way too.

So yesterday a friend and I made a photo backdrop over another photo backdrop at our church. LOL. It was fun! btw, Michael's has wrapping paper and many other things BOGO.

A couple years back, one of our pastors shared his booklist with me and a couple caught my attention quickly. One was by John Mark Comer, Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. I've read it four times. It impacted me, but I have to return to it to remember the lessons. Each time I read it, like when I read my Bible, something new jumps out at me, and seems incorporating it into my daily is a good idea. It's actually why I started baking to start with. Shifting out of hurry mode and into doing things with intentionality and focusing on something other than my to-do list.

Jesus was never in a hurry; his life was marked by peace, joy, and deep relationships despite demands on his very limited time. He often admonished His disciples and those who followed after him (think Martha- of Mary and Martha) about doing what was important and not urgent. That's hard for me. My 'Martha' always wants to be doing and not abiding.

So, baking helps me focus on bread. It's a three ingredient, perfect model of simplicity. Bread has been around forever and it checks off a lot of nutritional needs. For me it fulfills my need to create, fills my olfactory glands with pure joy, and the taste of fresh bread leaves me wanting to have just one more bite. It brings me joy; making it, smelling it and eating it.

As we head into the season of Advent, the temptation is to 'get it all done'. Let's slow down. Read a book, pray often, take a Sabboth, bake a loaf of bread, hang out with a friend for a cup of coffee; just be present and take rest when needed. Jesus was born in a stable, and it wasn't 'all is calm, all is bright', but it was just what was needed in the middle of the necessary. We can learn from that.

And if you want to study that book I mentioned, Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, a friend of mine, Susan, and I are starting a women's group at our church (you don't have to be a member to join us) on Tuesdays starting in a week or so (I'm procrastinating) from 9:30-11:00. Church of the Way in Fleming Island, FL. 1859 Town Hall Circle across from Fleming Island High and behind Jeremiah's. You can snag the book on Amazon or anywhere you buy books. We'd love to have you join in. Very casual and we won't be hurrying through. Get it?

Next blog I'll be talking about gingerbread people again. They are so amazing! Also want to cover some questions I've received about starter (and when to throw it out). Stay tuned.

Gail