EATIN' SHORTBREAD

EATIN' SHORTBREAD
Friday, January 24, 2020 by Leona Choy

"Shortnin' Bread" is a plantation song first popularized by poet James Whitcomb Riley in 1900. He wrote the lyrics in an attempt to imitate (not belittle) African-American dialect:

Fotch dat dough fum the kitchin-shed
Rake de coals out hot an' red
Putt on de oven an' putt on de led
Mammy's gwiner cook som short'nin' bread

The traditional chorus associated with the folk song goes:

Mammy's little baby loves short'nin', short'nin'
Mammy's little baby loves short'nin' bread

You can go online to download the song which has been recorded by many artists including the Beach Boys. Be forewarned: you won't be able to get the tune off your mind and will find yourself making up your own words in sync with your daily life.

“Shortening bread” refers to a bread made of corn meal and/or flour and lard for shortening. It should not be confused with “shortbread,” so named because of its crumbly texture (from an old meaning of the word short). Its ingredients are flour, butter or lard and white sugar. Nor should it be confused with “shortcake,” as in "strawberry shortcake."

Actually, I'm not trying to enlighten you about folk recipes or plantation songs. Here's the bottom line first:

I'm picking up on the idea of "short" and "bread” to recommend something that can apply to you every night. Be careful of the last thing you set your mind on before you fall asleep. If you will intentionally go to sleep with some “shortbread,” with a tasty “short” piece of “Bread” (the Written Word of God) in your mind, you will be supplied with spiritual nourishment all night long!

During the bombing of London in World War II, many young children were temporarily sent off to the English countryside to live in safety with rural families until the danger of aerial attacks on the cities would pass. They had experienced "the terror by night" of Psalm 91:5.

Everyone was living in austerity and food supply was rationed. The children were fretful, nervous, and distraught by being separated from their parents and families. Their sleep was filled with nightmares. Although they were provided with good food during daylight hours, at night they seemed afraid that there might not be anything for them to eat in the morning.

Their surrogate caring families finally found a loving way to calm their fears. Although they had eaten dinner, and their tummies were full, at bedtime their hosts gave each child a substantial hunk of bread to hold in his hands through the night. Thus the young anxious ones were assured that they would have something in the morning. If they awakened during the night, being able to touch and taste and smell the bread gave them comfort. It was a "pacifier" to bring them peace through the dark night.

Our minds anchor into whatever we think about, read, see, eat or worry about just before we slip into the healthful REM stage of sleep. Whatever recording we put into our brains will keep playing itself in our sub-consciousness any time we become awake, even momentarily.

I tried to build on that analogy in my life. Upon going to bed, I deliberately find a piece of spiritual Bread to hold in my heart and mind to “eat” during the night, if I awaken. I find comfort and assurance that I am safe and satisfied with the provision of our Heavenly Father. It becomes my "spiritual pacifier."

That “shortbread,” (piece of Bread) might be a Bible verse which I select from my nightly Scripture readings. Or even a word or phrase that has some spiritual impact for me. Or a phrase from a hymn or a few words from the Lord's prayer. Something to sink my spiritual teeth in, to chew on by repeating over and over with my lips or in my mind in silent contemplation. A bedtime snack, as it were. A different, nutritious portion every night.

David the Psalmist-King repeatedly wrote how all through the night he meditated on his bed about God and His goodness. "I will bless the Lord who has counseled me, indeed, my mind instructs me in the night, I have set the Lord continually before me...my flesh also will dwell securely" (Psalm 16:7-9).

What I think about just prior to drifting off to sleep is incredibly critical. It becomes part of my subconscious and even affects my dreams. I admit that unfortunately my lifelong habit has been to read myself toward drowsiness, sometimes with light fiction so as not to tax my brain too heavily and prevent the onset of deep, quality sleep. Too often I've read far into the night, even beyond midnight, enticed by a dramatic novel. I’ve tried to break that habit and make my last thoughts before bedtime the kind that focus on God and His words.

As Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we can ask our Heavenly Father to guide us in choosing just the right piece of nightly “shortbread” before bedtime to sustain us. With my mind anchored upon Him and His Word, such nourishment truly becomes “Wonder Bread.” Are you willing to try it tonight?

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Comments

Linda Ann Fumea From FL At 1/27/2020 7:38:28 AM

Isaiah 26:3 tells us our Father will keep our minds in perfect peace if we meditate on Him. There is nothing better than a peaceful night's sleep void of night terrors. Thanks Leona for reminding us to keep our hearts and minds on Him always.

Reply by: Leona Choy

How blessed we are that God's Intensive Care is 24/7 and His "Comprehensive Coverage" includes mind, emotions and body. (Psalm 16:7-9) I thank God for your faithfulness over the years in ministry both near and far.

Lindsay Van Sicklen From Arkadelphia Arkansas At 1/25/2020 6:56:57 PM

Hi Leona, Love this post. I retire contemplating lyrics from a variety of hymns ie Like a River Glorious.

Reply by: Leona Choy

One of my favorites since my teen years! As is Peace Like a River and It is well with my soul

Dottie From Danbury At 1/25/2020 9:06:11 AM

Very nice, leona. Such a good idea. Good writing, too. I try to say a rosary but can't seem to keep my mind on it. I wake up and check on facebook. What is wrong with me? Sending love and happy you are so nicely aligned!

Reply by: Leona Choy

SHORT portions of BREAD, girl. There's time for long prayer but this is not it. Just bite-size so that you don't tax your brain and keep you awake. Experiment a bit.

Nancy Hoag From Montana At 1/25/2020 9:02:23 AM

Thank you, Leona. Tonight, I will be partaking of a slice of His "bread" before I sleep. Often I "plan" to read a Word before sleep, and then? Well, then I give into my old habit of simply dropping into bed exhausted in both mind and body. But not tonight!

Reply by: Leona Choy

Yup, SHORTbread, not something long or too ambitious that will keep your mind overactive. I've been taking phrases from Psalm 118 recently, The first and last verses provide you with the theme. I "ate" the first half of v.21 last night. Keep doing this nightly and it will become a blessed habit.

Marlene J Bagnull From PA At 1/25/2020 8:14:10 AM

What great advice, Leona. Thank you. I'm sharing on Facebook.

Reply by: Leona Choy

The key to its success is "SHORT" Bread. Just enough for a lip-smacking taste you can chew on. I've been helping myself to phrases from verses in Psalm 118 recently. So appetizing! So relevant. I took verse 21a last night.