The Fungus Among Us: Meditations on a Simple Breakfast the Day after Easter.

I was sitting down early, before my husband was awake, which is nice in retirement. Nice to sleep until you want to get up.

I found the leftover scrambled egg, bacon, a day-old toast, and a small half glass of orange juice left from the breakfast I ate on Sunday with my two granddaughters, daughter, and son-in-law. I decided to re-toast the day-old toast and remarkably, it turned out perfect. Just fine.

Then as I munched, my mind went to how much the day meant in connections, biblical thoughts, memories, children, communion, and following up on Monday with communion served to an older member at Lifecare Center in New Market, about 15 miles away, with a fellow team member enjoying fun conversation on our way.

As I ate my breakfast, my mind went to the chicken who laid my egg, the pig who gave me bacon to enjoy, the farmer who grew wheat all summer long so we could enjoy bread, the orange juice which was sent to me by workers from Florida or other points south. Then I pondered the bread, which of course included yeast. Hmm. Where does yeast come from? Siri gave me that answer: “Yeast is a single-celled fungus that naturally grows in soil and on plant surfaces.”  

My iPhone and Siri helped me there. Fungus? Among us? Ok, I had some fungus for breakfast, to make yeast that helped my bread raise.

Wow, God was busy, eh, sending me a chicken, pig, farmer, orange pickers, and fungus that helped make yeast.

I’ve recently been intrigued by the not-easy-to-read chapters of Leviticus where the laws are laid out for the people of Israel. Yeast in particular was important in that time, and partly I think because it was part of their bread sustenance. Remember how the Israelites were cautioned about eating their manna (one place I read describes manna as coriander seed, white and tasting like wafer made with honey). Not so bad! They were to eat it on the day it appeared, and not eat the next day when it spoiled. The Leviticus chapters are boring, long, and tedious, but when you think about God creating not only people but animals and fungus and much much more than I have ever studied, I feel it is worthwhile going over this history. But I think I’ll be okay sticking with re-toasted toast. 😊

Thank you, God, especially for thinking of all this and somehow getting it to us humans! Thank you for our two little granddaughters, ages 7 months and a 3-year-old. Thank you for five grandsons, spread across several states. Thank you for my hard-working husband, and the plenty we enjoy.

Most of all, we must think of God’s love for all of us, all around the world, and how we must appreciate and remember to share that love.

Amen.

These two saints are both nearing many many decades of serving God: Jean is 99 and Don in his mid-90s, was our founding pastor. Jean is the oldest surviving member of our congregation, Trinity Presbyterian Church. Jean was brought to the Easter Sunday service by another friend from Trinity and Don was brought by his daughter. They didn’t mind sharing some smiles for us!