Bread From Heaven - Short Story

As Ted walked down the sidewalk of his neighborhood, he caught the aroma of fresh bread baking. A neighbor, who happened to be a retired chef, had been baking one of his famous recipes, one which he received while in service to a very important family. The savory smell tantalized Ted’s senses, and it became apparent that it was time to go and visit his neighbor and friend.

Just then, a stranger approached Ted and asked for directions, however the same fabulous whiff soon caught this stranger by surprise. He hesitated for a moment and then was moved to remark, “What a wonderful smell.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Ted said. “That is the aroma of hundreds of years of culinary perfection. A master chef retired after serving a very important European diplomat now graces our neighborhood with his culinary masterpieces.”

The stranger replied, “I guess I’ll have to stop by a bakery and buy myself a loaf.”

Without hesitation Ted happily disagreed. “Oh there is “nothing found at a bakery that can compete with the quality of this chef’s baking. The recipe is generations old and has been part of a secret recipe that has served kings.” Another whiff of the baking bread causes Ted to expound a little more on the wonder of this masterpiece.

“A secret sourdough starter, hundreds of years old, is mixed into the finest whole grains. Every ingredient is screened for quality, using only organic flours, unrefined sea salt, and filtered spring water. Additional secret ingredients make the dough sticky, bubbly and pleasantly tart over a period of several hours.”

The stranger then raised his eyebrows as he caught another generous whiff of the warm scent.

Ted continued; “As the warm dough ferments within the earthen crock it begins to rise with anticipation of its royal destiny,” “The rich moist dough bulges from the crock and, like warm ironed linen, the aroma makes you long for home.”

A slight wince revealed the stranger’s new obsession. Maybe, just maybe, he would get a chance to partake of this potentially marvelous work of art. Yet for now all he could do was lean forward, almost on his tiptoes in an attempt to feed upon Ted’s poetic sustenance.

“The dough is then kneaded with generous helpings of rich, silky flour. As it is pulled apart and cradled within fine bakery ware, each loaf again rises to the approval of the master chef.”

The stranger is now bowing to the ache of a noisy stomach. A third deep breath makes the man dizzy with delight as Ted expounds upon the last part of the culinary journey.

“By the time the bread dough is proofed and marked for ascent, the Master Chef has readied a brick oven to receive his creation. As the loaves are gently placed within a heated bath of flames they undergo a remarkable moment of transformation.

The man swallowed hard and bowed to the approval of Ted’s words. He then rocked back and forth in a state of culinary delirium longing to be satisfied with the golden brown aroma that wooed his senses.

Ted now spoke with a confident assurance that the master chef would soon receive his precious offspring; “the delicious loaves, naturally sour and naturally sweet, are nearly ready to debut. At the appointed time, a huge wooden paddle will gingerly swoop up two loafs at a time and place these golden brown fawns onto the cooling racks. As the warm bread is revealed there is a realization that its power over humanity is delightful.”

By now, the stranger is salivating like Pavlov’s dog.

Ted then lowered his voice for emphasis, as if honoring the loaves with human reverence. “They are then cradled in hand and delivered to the dining table where they receive generous portions of rich creamy butter. Each tear of the loaf releases the aroma and artistry of the master’s touch. Superior flavor and texture give way to a full expression of human delight. In no time at all body and soul are satisfied, but only after the chewy, tangy, and fabulously fresh baked organic sourdough flavor rolls through your mouth!”

The stranger is now haggard. Ted had literally undone this man’s will to go on without bread.

About this time the master chef’s front door creaked opened and the chef was heard calling to his friend Ted; “Are you ready to come in?” Ted nodded with an agreeable wink and said, “I’ll be right there.” Without delay, he then puckishly said to the stranger, “well, I’ve got to go” and he exited the conversation with a mischievous glee in his step.

The stranger stared in disbelief. His shirt was now wrinkled where his sweaty hands had been seeking emotional support. His lips whimpered uncontrollably as he watched Ted gingerly enter the house of his friend and park himself in front of the dinning room window. A warm loaf of bread was set in front of Ted and he and his host began to talk, tear, and butter to their heart’s delight.

“Is he looking at us?” the chef asked.

“Yep.”

“Do you think he’s satisfied with just the scent of fresh bread?”

“I don’t think so. I laid it on pretty thick this time.”

“I may be the master chef, but you have a knack for buttering up people!

Is he still looking?”

“Yes, and I think he’s even crying.”

“Oh, go let him in. Nobody can be satisfied by just talking about bread. Satisfaction comes in having your own loaf.”

*******

Genuine faith finds itself immersed in the life of Jesus. When that connection is made, He begins to share of Himself, and we become attached to His heart. Revelation is then born from an intimate friendship, rather than a best guess about what God is up to. You could say it’s the difference between observation and actual participation in the life of Christ.

To be found in Jesus is to partake of the aroma of Christ, but also be granted access to the entire loaf.

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