It was roughly five years ago when I stepped up to the granite-topped island in our kitchen, my daughter Alli at my side, and we Zoomed into my first-ever online class. Technology made the miles irrelevant, but the British accent of our instructor brought a kind of global clarity.
Sara Ward—our primary teacher and owner of Hen Corner in West London—was ready to lead a small group of students through her introductory class in bread baking. Although Alli and I shared our kitchen that April morning, we were both fully tuition-paying students.
For nearly two hours, Sara shared her approach and technique to bread making. There was a recipe, of course—but it was much more than that. It included key catchphrases that hung in the air like a London fog. She strongly recommended specific tools, some as simple as a hand-sized plastic bench scraper (two for $4.99 on Amazon!).
“The wetter, the better,” and “Show the dough who’s boss,” have stuck with me like culinary tattoos.
Alli and I took two more classes with Sara over the next twelve months—and that was enough for her influence to shape my approach, technique, and confidence in bread baking. Every time I stand in front of a mound of fresh dough, I do my best to mimic Sara.
She had a way. A command. A delight. An enthusiasm. An expertise.
And I wanted all of that. I wanted to bake like Sara. I still do.
Yesterday, once again, I thought about Sara as I worked a ball of dough. Tomorrow, I’ll do the same as I make a batch of bagels.
We all mimic. Our beliefs, behaviors, perspectives, and values are shaped by those in our orbit—for better or for worse, for good or for harm.
This is why it matters who we follow. It matters what we listen to. It matters what messages fill our minds and settle into our souls.
Alli and I chose Sara Ward because we saw the output of her kitchen. She was worth listening to, imitating, and following.
Five years later… I’m still doing my best to bake like Sara.
Mimicking. We all do it—either consciously or unconsciously.
That’s why Jesus’ simple instruction was consistently: “Follow me.”
It’s why the Apostle Paul says, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1, ESV).
Imitators.
Of Paul—but only because he imitates Christ.
So who is it for you? Not just in the kitchen, but in the neighborhood. In the community. At the office. On the highway. In what you comment. In what you post.
We all mimic.
Choose wisely.
{ 0 comments… add one now }