Here in the UK, it’s ‘Bake Off’ season (a TV contest for home bakers) and once again we’re being shown the importance of the ‘windowpane test’. This is a way of discovering whether dough has been sufficiently kneaded – if it can be stretched to the point that light can shine through it, it indicates that the gluten is well developed and the dough is ready to rise.

It strikes me that the same can apply to us. It can be the people whom life knocks about, and who are stretched to unimagined points, that can end up with light shining through them.
Stories come to mind of people who were abused, helping others seeking freedom; people who’ve known what it is to be in need, advocating a better state of affairs for the disadvantaged; people familiar with disability or depression, offering empathy and empowerment to those facing difficulties.
As a believer, I trust that God will never stretch me beyond my limit. While we cannot always choose our circumstances, we can decide how we react.
Truth is, after months of physical and emotional challenges, I feel like a bit of pummelled dough and I find that my responses are variable!
In my better moments, I take a step back, and see the whole picture with small shafts of light shining through.
In my darker moments, I struggle to see clearly, until I realise that God the Master Baker is at work, rising from the ingredients of everyday life.
Trevor Dennis, retired Dean of Chester Cathedral and author of The Three Faces of Christ, has likened God to a baker:
My God was in the middle of baking bread and up to her elbows in flour, and she came out to just to see me. I didn’t know she wore a pinny!
She came right up to me and gave me a great big hug. Like no hug I’d ever had before. And that was my judgement day. I’ve never been the same since. And I still have the marks of God’s floury hands on my back. Everyone does up here.

Dough is transformed by kneading. It responds to warm firm handing, so I’m going to see it through, hoping that God’s light will shine through it all…
Truth is… Remember that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it. (I Corinthians 10:13)
❤️ Thank You.
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– Bless you!
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I’ve missed your thought provoking and inspirational blogs so very much Joanna. Praise the Lord that this was in my inbox this morning. Wonderful words! Thank you X
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Aww, what a bright start to the day to read your lovely message – love you, Big Sis x
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Beautiful and inspiring…….💛
Thank you xx
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Thanks Cathy, for your encouragement 🙂
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Yay! You’re back🙌🏼 Fantastic reflection on life’s tough challenges…love the floury hands of ‘judgement’ ❤️
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You are so encouraging – and thanks for sharing the post on facebook! Here’s hoping lots of people sense Floury Hands enfolding them…
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Wonderful to see your blog in my inbox! Such wisdom from you and I love what Trevor Dennis has to say. Thankyou for sharing with us all.
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Lovely to see your name pop up too 🙂 Thoughts and love…
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Beautiful and so true. Been Kneaded and shaped a lot this year! But slowly seeing the grace in it all and love conquers all. Thank you
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– May you feel the Floury Hands at work, bringing good things from the kneading…
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Like many others I was delighted to see this pop through my inbox!
Beautifully written with such gentleness – you are a jewel Joanna!
Let me always have His flour on my back & a dusting on my cheek from His kiss too!
Xx
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Jane, I love your continuation of the theme: ‘…and a dusting on my cheek from His kiss too!’ – Brilliant 🙂
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