I am 62 years old. Is it necessary to learn something new, especially in the kitchen? For some time now I have wondered if I really wanted to invest my time, money and energy in creating and maintaining a sourdough starter. An avid baker and willing creator of yummy meals, I find the kitchen is my stage! I find it to be a place where I quiet stress in my life with baking something sweet 😉.

I was motivated to study and learn all I could since 1) we loved eating sourdough bread and 2) the health benefits for my problematic stomach. Then we visited our son and DIL (bonus daughter) and their family and low and behold she was in the process of working on a sourdough starter! Of course, she kindly offered to send some home with me, but I was intent on beginning from the beginning. So, my bonus daughter became a third motivator. I went back home ready and willing!

However, I struggled! The temperature of our house was too cold. And when I finally attempted to make the sourdough bread in my Dutch Oven, the bottom was burnt and the middle remained raw. My third try was an even greater disappointment. Even though I finally found a way not to burn the bottom while making sure the center was done, in my zeal I over-proofed. Consequently, each one was dumped into the trash!

Yet, once again my lovely bonus daughter helped me out! She sent me an easy, no-fuss video for making sourdough bread. Now there is no going back! With some simple recipes, eating from our kitchen is proving to be a great adventure.

When I began the journey of feeding a sourdough starter (just flour and water), and watching it grow, I loved the analogy that played in my mind. Just as we feed our Christian Walk: God’s Word and Prayer, we will grow, too!

Jeremiah 15:16 –

Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart, for I bear your name, LORD God of Armies. (CSB)

Although I have found the starter can be put on the back burner so to speak (refrigerated) and you do not need to use it every single day, we sometimes put our Christian Walk on the back burner as well! But unlike the starter, our Christian Walk will grow stale and lifeless, and we will become ineffective for the Kingdom of God.

1 Peter 2:2-3; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalm 63:1; Joshua 1:8-9; 1 Thess. 5:17; Psalm 1:2; Col. 4:2; Matthew 4:4; John 15; Matthew 6:24

My fear of starting something new can be excessive and even keep me from sleeping at night; It certainly pushes me out of my comfort zone! I am thankful for a bonus daughter who seems fearless, especially in the kitchen, and gives me the tips that drive me on and answers my questions with some great advice.

Analogy to our Christian Walk: So often we need that touch from another believer that will help us move on in our walk with the Lord and keep us accountable!

Just a funny side note: Once you enter the sourdough world maintaining your little colony of starter and tend it or put it in a recipe and move on to another project and later on in the day you wash your hands there may be just a bit of starter dried to the back of your hand like glue!!!