Water, allowing it to double in size and become ready for baking.
It’s a trial-and-error project, where the slightest mistake can cause significant setbacks. I am now in month three of regularly working on this hobby, and I still haven’t seen a good loaf of bread.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s time to give up on this practice, because mastering an art form takes time. We are never going to get something right on the first attempt– along with the next few.
Good things take time. I have been reminded of this aspect of patience over the last few days, as I have attempted to make a new loaf and made more progress than ever before. Sadly, I overproofed the dough, resulting in a flat, unappetizing brick.
Regardless, I knew that I was finally heading in the right direction with the sourdough process, because I had never been able to get the dough to rise before then.
For me, these failed sourdough attempts are just a good reminder. We have officially hit the peak of the fall season. Leaves are falling in vibrant colors, the air is chilly, and it’s the perfect time to make a nice, hot bowl of soup. And what goes better with soup than a slice of homemade sourdough bread?
This season has been fascinating to me because, for the first time in my life, I have the time to appreciate the beauty of fall. I spent the last four years of my life putting everything I had into getting my college degree, and didn’t give myself hardly any time for hobbies that fill my cup.
So here I am now, six months into postgraduate life, and the world of sourdough has me in a chokehold.
This little hobby I developed has taught me much more than just feeding a jar of fermented flour and water. It’s reminding me of just how important it is to be patient in the instantaneous world we live in.
As I said, we live in a fast-paced society, and we often yearn for opportunities and dreams to fall into our laps at that moment. We usually find ourselves seeking various things that we think will bring us happiness in the moment, such as our favorite Starbucks drink or an impulse buy with money that could’ve paid for rent. The list goes on.
Sourdough comes into this picture because it is a hobby of patience. Making a sourdough starter requires a daily commitment to feeding it with new flour, and I need to give myself grace through all the trials and errors.
Patience applies to many different aspects of our everyday lives, as we are always waiting for something to happen.
The more I’ve grown, the more I’ve realized that it is essential to let the good things in life take time to form before presenting themselves to us. Wouldn’t you instead get the best version of an opportunity after extensive formation and development, instead of a watered-down version that will only take you halfway through?
Growing up, I’ve encountered many opportunities that didn’t work out in the end, leaving me with numerous questions.
My mom would always say, “This means that God has something even better for you in the near future.”
She was absolutely right, and looking back, I am grateful for those unanswered seasons of waiting, as they allowed me to grow as a person.
From a Christian standpoint, we must allow God to develop us over time so that we can become better versions of ourselves and pursue the hopes and dreams we long for. That way, we will also go much farther in life than just a few steps down the road.
I hope that in the near future, I can continue to grow in the virtue of patience, and get to making myself a decent loaf of sourdough bread. I find it funny how the most minor things, such as bread, can remind you of some of life’s most essential morals.
Here’s to continuing to give things a shot, no matter how long it takes to get it right.
And if you want to learn how to be more patient, I highly recommend sourdough as a hobby!
Until next time, Skyla