“Heart and Soul”
‘The Lord…leads me beside still waters…’
We often speak of the faith journey, our walk with Christ, our spiritual path, ‘the one less travelled by’. Though perhaps a bit tired as a metaphor, the concept of travelling on, of the experience, the adventure not the destination being most important, still rings true.
But other images may also be cherished. For all who are nurtured in nature, particularly near waterways, serene lakes, or roiling oceans, our encounters with our Creator on or near H20 are life-giving. It may be that warm sunshine, blue skies and gentle breezes help. It may be that often our time spent gazing at river views or resting on rocky shores or paddling or sailing means that we have left our every day lives for a time of serenity, respite and refreshment. Even if threatening clouds move in, waves whip up to white caps, and the pine trees writhe in the wind, God’s peace can, even then, soothe the soul. We drink in, with all of our senses, the Living Water.
Culinary Musings: There is a gas oven at the Lake. I use the following recipe frequently, for pizza, flat bread, rolls, cinnamon buns…all appreciated by appetites made hearty with fresh air! Quick dough: 2 cups (plus, see below) flour; 1 package quick rising yeast; ¾ tsp salt; 1 cup very warm water, 2 Tablespoons olive oil. Mix. Add extra flour if needed to make a soft dough. Knead for a few minutes and form into a ball. Let rise for 10-15 minutes. Shape into what ever you are making. Sprinkle oiled baking pan with corn meal, if you have it. For pizza, add tomato or white sauce, toppings, cheese. For rolls, let rise again for 10-15 minutes. For cinnamon buns: Roll out dough, top with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, maybe pecans. Roll up into a tube and slice. Let rise another 10-15 minutes. Make at 400 degrees, 15-20 minutes.