June 15 - Provision

God is Good! A beautiful baby girl was born last night to Mike & Melissa Hunacek---Lydia Elizabeth Pearl---a lovely perfect little gem! Thank you, Lord, for answered prayers and for gifting this family with a healthy precious new baby.

Ruth 2:14-15

At mealtime Boaz said to her, " Come here, that you may eat of the bread and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar." So she sat beside the reapers; and he served her roasted grain, and she ate and was satisfied and had some left. When she rose to glean, Boaz commanded his servants, saying, "Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not insult her.

Meal time. The best time of day. Our days are centered around eating—we barely finish the noon meal and the question is asked…what’s for supper? Since my husband has had to adjust his diet to count his carbohydrate intake (pre-diabetic diet) we eat a lot less bread, pasta, potatoes and rice. Pita bread is an essential ingredient in some of our lunch sandwiches—but we only have one-half each.

The bread that Ruth dipped in vinegar at Boaz table was likely pita bread that is often served in Israel.  You can wrap roasted grain, vegetables or hummus in it, or eat it plain. It is a mainstay in their diet. It provided Ruth with energy to finish out her day of gleaning.

What scripture provides you with energy to get you through the rest of the day? I’ve found that the best way to start the day is with reading God’s Word until it speaks to me about something specific—that may be a few verses or a few chapters. Part way through the day, or later in the afternoon rereading that verse that spoke to me may give me additional insight or inspiration with whatever I’m doing that day. It is amazing how God works that way. Spiritual things can give physical or mental energy—and even wake me up if I’m feeling tired. Let God give you an inspiration today. Try reading Psalm 27. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident. One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. Dwelling in God’s house—meditating or “feeding” on His words. May that start for you today—don’t wait until you are called to Paradise.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your Words that I may meditate and feast on them today. Show me something special that I can apply to my life and to my relationship with You today.

Pita Bread

1 package of yeast, or quick rising yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2-3 cups all purpose flour (for gluten free, use 1/2 c coconut flour and 1 1/2 cups rice flour)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 cup lukewarm water

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of warm water. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Allow yeast to rise for 10-15 minutes. Combine 2 cups of flour and the salt in large bowl and add yeast water in center of flour then slowly add 1 cup of warm water, and stir with wooden spoon or rubber spatula, adding more flour if necessary. Place dough on floured surface and knead for 10-15 minutes until it is no longer sticky and is smooth and elastic.

Coat large bowl with oil and place dough in bowl, turning the dough over so it is all coated.
Put the bowl in a warm place for about an hour, or until the dough has doubled in size. Once doubled, roll out in a rope, and pinch off 10-12 small pieces. Place balls on floured surface. Let sit covered for 10 minutes. Preheat oven and baking sheet to 500 deg F with the oven rack is at the very bottom. Roll out each ball of dough with a rolling pin into 3-6 inches circles, about 1/4 inch thick, or smaller and thicker, if desired. Bake each circle for 4 minutes until the bread puffs up. Turn over and bake for 2 minutes.

Remove each pita with a spatula from the baking sheet and gently push down puff. If you don’t eat it immediately, which is the best way to enjoy it, then place the bread in paper bags to keep soft. These pitas can be stored for a week at room temperature or up to a month in the freezer. Use freezer bags when freezing.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.