Family Lenten Devotionals 2024
Essentials for the Journey
Week 3 of Lent – Bread: Finding Nourishment

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ”

Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

-John 6:29-35

Written by Cayanna Herrera, Director of Children’s Ministry

I love baking bread! The mixing, and kneading, and the delicious smells that waft through the house while the bread bakes in the oven. I love every step of the process and at the end, the melt in your mouth, fresh out of the oven warm bread with a little butter… it’s amazing!  

Of course, when we think of baking bread, our imaginations skip straight away to the eating part. But do you know what my favorite part of baking bread really is? The kneading and the waiting. You see, making bread takes a looong time. My recipe calls for the bread to rise 3 times, and each rise takes a whole hour! That is a long time to wait for bread! And when you knead bread, it takes a lot of work. Kneading bread dough uses your whole body to do it properly and usually, my hands and arms are really tired by the time I am finished. So why are the kneading and the waiting my favorite parts of making bread? 

Because while I am kneading bread, I am usually only focused on doing the kneading. I am not thinking about all of the other things that I need or want to do. For me, kneading bread doesn’t require my full focus, but usually when I am kneading bread dough, my mind kind of just settles into the rhythm of it and the action of kneading the dough claims my full focus. Before I know it, every bit of my mind and energy is focused on this one simple task and at the end, I usually feel like my mind has had a little rest!  

And why do I like the waiting part? Well, I think because as I wait, I usually am thinking about how much my family and I will enjoy the outcome of the waiting. Nothing beats a slice of bread fresh out of the oven!  

While fresh warm bread feeds my body, the process of making bread feeds my heart. Knowing that I am creating something that will be enjoyed by my whole family and will fill our hungry tummies makes my heart happy! I wonder, what do you do that feeds your heart? Where do you go to feed not just your tummy but your heart? Maybe for some, we go to the beach or for a walk in the forest. Maybe some of us spend quiet time reading or creating art. I don’t know what you do that feeds your heart. Only you know. I do know that one of the best ways that I have found to nourish my heart (other than baking bread!) is to spend time with Jesus, talking to Jesus in prayer or reading His words in the Bible. Sometimes I even take my times with Jesus outside into nature and that feeds my heart too!  

As we continue our Lenten journey together, I hope and pray that we will each find a way and a place that feeds our hearts, souls, and minds just like bread feeds our bodies.   

Family Activity
What ways does your family find to feed your hearts? This week, find a way to get out and feed your hearts together! Try taking a walk one evening, having a family picnic lunch, heading to the beach, or maybe just playing a game together.