It’s Raining Bread

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you.” The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. – Exodus 16:4a, 31 (NIV) 

Content warning: This devotional references IVF journeys and fertility treatments. 

A magazine was missing from the Concord Public Library for 48,220 days—132 years. The fine would have been $35,000 had the library not issued a freeze on fines last year.  

A woman received an award for an exemplary reorganization of her department. “Yes, it was wonderful. The 125th time I outlined my direction, they chose to follow my leadership.”  

Were the ancient Israelites in the wilderness 40 days or 40 years or 40 decades? Are they out yet? Are we?  

Sara Bareilles wrote a song called “Ladies in Line,” about a waiting room where women sit and wait for medical care for infertility. They wait and wait and wait, some going through six or more expensive implantations of eggs. Some describe the two- or three-year period of drugs they take as a permanent menstrual period. 

Sara’s album is called Complex Grief. Many of you know what that is. It is when your life is being ruled by a pharaoh—and you have the regular vicissitudes on your plate as well as him. Now we are remanded to worry AI too, as if pharaoh and unreturned books aren’t enough. Not to mention if you or someone you love has cancer, or if you have spent years doing unrewarded work, or if ICE is chasing you. 

Why did God send manna to the people in the wilderness? Was it to show them the value of a small disappearing “useless” act? Why is God sending manna still? To show us the value of the small intervention. 

Next time you are in a waiting room, send a smile to someone, who like you, is steeped in grieving. P.S.: All life is a waiting room. 

Prayer
Give us relief, Patient One, and make it quick. Amen.

About the Author
Donna Schaper is the Pastor of the Congregational Church of Austin (COA). Her book Rooted in Resurrection is a garden memoir and includes spiritual and horticultural advice in its meditations.