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{"id":3912,"date":"2018-12-17T00:41:41","date_gmt":"2018-12-17T05:41:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/mormontherapist\/?p=3912"},"modified":"2018-12-17T00:42:56","modified_gmt":"2018-12-17T05:42:56","slug":"representing-the-bread-of-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/mormontherapist\/2018\/12\/representing-the-bread-of-life.html","title":{"rendered":"Representing the Bread of Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

$\"\"$ My spiritual musings for the day:<\/p>\n

We had a fun and deep conversation today on the way to church. My 16 year old son was responsible for bringing the sacrament bread today and I had forgotten to buy the typical loaf I usually get\u2026 Wonder-type, cheap white bread.<\/p>\n

But I had \u201cDave\u2019s Killer Bread\u201d<\/a> on hand instead. Super healthy\u2026 full of grains\u2026 dark\u2026<\/p>\n

So we talked about how this was a much better choice anyway. It better represents a body that was Jewish and Middle Eastern\u2026 not the typically historically incorrect caucasian, blue-eyed Jesus we usually see depicted at church.<\/p>\n

It cost me about three times the amount of the other type of loaf. So we were bringing something that symbolized more quality and worth to represent the Savior.<\/p>\n

He was crucified next to thieves and robbers\u2026 and this particular bread is made by a former convict.<\/p>\n

The entire message of atonement and repentance seemed to have more meaning for us from this perspective as well. As sinners we partake. All people who fall short in some way or other. And yet we are all of worth and redeemable. All given so much more than a \u201csecond chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

I found myself emotional and full of spirt as I witnessed our bread being dispersed throughout our ward family.<\/p>\n

Now if we could have had a good merlot to accompany it\u2026 it would have been perfect. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT, CST can be reached at\u00a0 natashaparker.org<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0runs an online practice,\u00a0 Symmetry Solutions<\/em><\/a>, which focuses on helping families and individuals with faith concerns, sexuality and mental health. She hosts the\u00a0Mormon Mental Health<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0 Mormon Sex Info<\/a>\u00a0Podcasts,\u00a0is the current president of the\u00a0 Mormon Mental Health Association<\/a>\u00a0and runs a sex education program, Sex Talk with Natasha<\/a>. She has over 20 years of experience working with primarily an LDS\/Mormon clientele.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"