Fish Bread!
On the way home last week, I stopped by my neighborhood bakery to pick up some rolls, and was delighted to see something new– on the counter was a tray of fish-shaped bread! Of course I had to buy one, and the baker kindly let me snap a photo. He seemed proud of his craftsmanship– the little scales, fins, and eyes must have taken some time and creativity.
We’re one week into Ramadan, and this fish bread seems to be one of the special foods that appear as part of the very early breakfasts and late dinners of the Muslim holy month. Ramadan, like Lent, is a time of fasting– denying oneself normal pleasures in order to connect more deeply with God. It’s a time for asking the important question: What am I really hungry for?
The bread looks like a fish, but it isn’t one. 
If I’m hungry for fish, this bread won’t really satisfy me, or nourish me in the same way. How often do I reach for something to nourish my heart, only to be left still hungry as I sweep up the crumbs? Is what I’m feeding my soul really satisfying? I’m praying that the baker and his family, our other new friends, and I can help one another find that life-giving bread.
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged fish bread by Lisa