The Breadmaker’s Wife – Lacy Gunter
“There is one thing you have to know about me,” I said with a circle of search committee members looking my way, “I am a breadmaker’s wife.” They all looked around, still smiling, but with looks that told me that they were wondering if I realized my husband was there to work at a church, not a bakery. I went on to explain. During the beginning days of the pandemic, we were all trying to learn new skills very quickly and find our value in new ways. I had been moaning and complaining to God concerning how much my husband had been thanklessly pulled away from us during this time. He was overwhelmed, and I was overwhelmed. It was a difficult time for many of us, as I’m sure you experienced.
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I was challenged during this time to lean hard into the truths found in Scripture. When life seems out of control, it is amazing how a single verse can knock me back. This particular day it was 1 Chronicles 9:31, “Mattithiah, a Levite and the oldest son of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with making the bread used in the offerings.” BAM! I heard the whisper in the middle of my chaotic grumbling, “You are a breadmaker’s wife.” I was immediately convicted of my selfishness and pride.
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Here was a man, the eldest son of a Levite priest, making bread. David had just rebuilt the temple, and everyone was being assigned to their jobs. There were many jobs to be done at the temple, and some were definitely more glamorous than others. I began to imagine Mattithiah having to get up before everyone else to get ovens hot and making countless breads to be used for worship. Is this the job he had envisioned for himself? Getting up before everyone else to make bread? Here is the great truth I heard that day, without that bread, worship could not happen.
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I had struggled for years with this push to do more in ministry while also feeling pulled back from doing the things that I had not personally been asked by God to do. The pushing came from a fear to perform for those I encountered within the church walls every week. If I stopped doing the things I didn’t feel God called me to do, what would be spoken of me? Would I become a hindrance to my husband in his ministry? He seemed fine with working behind the scenes without acknowledgment. What was wrong with me? Is this you, my friend? Has our enemy whispered those lies to you, too? Have you felt alone and afraid you’re not doing enough to live out your calling while, at the same time, working yourself to exhaustion? I was there, but God used Mattithiah to bring me to a place of freedom from that.
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Are you a breadmaker’s wife?
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Do you find great joy in helping those around you to glorify the Lord?
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“And I am the moon with no light of my own
Stil,l you have made me to shine.
And as I glow in this cold dark night.
I know I can’t be a light unless I turn my face to you.
You are the Sun” by Sara Groves
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Matthew 5:16 tells us to let our good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise our Father, not ourselves.
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Do you relish the thought of sending that glory back to your creator?
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Psalm 103 is one of my favorites because verse 14 says that God is aware that we are mere dust. He knows that our rocky, dusty selves, just like the moon, have no light unto themselves, yet He allows us to share in His light. Breadmaker’s wives are gleefully aware that any glory given is to be returned to its source. We work in the background to create opportunities for others to worship God.
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Do you choose not to seek your own attention?
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Matthew 6:1-4 warns us not to strive to be admired by others for our good work. All those “Way to go’s” could be costing you your heavenly reward. Are you ok with trusting your Savior with your earthly reputation? We serve a Savior that was willing to make Himself NOTHING for our salvation. He gave up His reputation for us. He was willing to be despised, and all He asks is for us to trust Him with our reputation.
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Do you want to be a part of something great rather than be something great?
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I love how the story of Mattithiah continues. In 1 Chronicles 15:21,28, we see him there in the procession with King David as they carry the Ark of God to its new home. He is invited to the great worship and celebration to play his stringed instrument. There is so much joy in these verses.
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As a breadmaker’s wife, I am happiest when I see God do something amazing – whether I am recognized or not!
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Welcome to the sisterhood of breadmakers’ wives. Let’s lean hard into the truths of the Bible. I want to work alongside my Savior without recognition because I know that this place is not my home. I want to point others to Him, so their worship is purely about Him. Let’s get out of the way and be a part of something amazing. I can live in freedom with contentment. I am a breadmaker’s wife.
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Lacy Gunter has been in ministry with her husband, Drew, for 20 years. She is a homeschool mom to their six children ranging in age from 5 to 17. Her favorite thing in ministry is using science to explain the Gospel and the goodness of God. Do not ask her about the periodic table unless you have an hour to spare and love super excited lady nerds. She just moved into a house with a red door in Anderson, SC where her husband serves as Associate Pastor at New Prospect Baptist.