For This House
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
February 10, 2025 | 6 min read
Katie Vaniman, guest author
Do you ever fear failure or trying something new?
I do…
There is a drive inside of us that wants to be the best, to have things turn out Instagram-perfect on the first try, but that just isn’t real life.
Fear creeps down in and makes us feel that if we aren’t doing everything perfectly, well then maybe, we are just failing.
Enter, sourdough. I was hesitant to get started with it because I feared failing.
And I didn’t want “another mouth to feed”—that I might forget to feed!
You see, in the past few years, I’ve tried gardening and keeping indoor plants, and have failed epically. I even tried growing something “easy” like zucchini or succulents, and let’s just say, it has not gone well.
I often find myself envious of people who say things like “I don’t know what I’m doing, I just plant stuff and it grows.” But if I’m being honest the biggest reason I struggle with plants is I forget to water them. Hence, my fear of not feeding my sourdough.
But in the spring of 2023, I started craving a way to be creative that didn’t take up too much brain space—i.e. something where I just had to follow a recipe.
And then a friend offered me some of her sourdough starter. I told myself it was okay to try and fail, that perfection wasn’t required, that if I forgot to feed it then I could always just toss it out and pretend I never tried in the first place.
So I said yes.
Because sometimes you just have to try something before you assume you will fail.
And then before I knew it another friend of mine was sending me links to her favorite bread recipes and I was watching YouTube videos while nursing my baby.
I was so clueless about all things sourdough-related; I learned a lot. I also had many epic failures with certain recipes.
And I’ve come to terms with the fact that learning a new thing means failing at it from time to time.
It’s been 2 years now and I am baking with sourdough, and even though I’ve had my fair share of failures, most often it turns out deliciously successful. And most importantly, I am enjoying it! I’m so glad that I stretched myself and looked past my fear of failure as it has become a fun and creative outlet.
It has honestly been so much easier than I thought it would be. I can easily tuck my sourdough starter in the fridge when I don’t have time to feed it or bake with it, and there are so many wonderful recipes I can make with sourdough discard.
And while I love that it’s cheaper AND tastier AND healthier than store-bought bread, I do still buy bread products when the upcoming week is just too busy.
Before I go on and on about my love for sourdough, my tips, and my favorite recipes, I know that for some of you baking with sourdough is to you as growing a garden is to me. A.k.a., not compatible.
If so, I appreciate you reading through this article. And I know you likely don’t need to hear this, but, in case you do, I want to say, it’s okay. I think ultimately we should lean into the strengths that God has given us, he made some of us great at growing plants, others to enjoy painting, still others to enjoy baking, and so much more.
When you’re scrolling social media, it’s easy to feel like you aren’t doing enough. Like, I should be doing X, Y, or Z. Or so-and-so seems to be doing SO “well” and if we just did that thing they’re doing, that will make my life or my family’s life “better.”
But that comparison trap is far from the truth.
As an adult, and ever more so as a parent, I have found that life seems to be this tightrope walk of finding true balance between the mundane, necessary stuff and what we enjoy. Life is a delicate balance of looking ahead to the future with hope and finding joy in the in-between or until-then.
I’m grateful that God gives us little gifts like a delicious slice of bread, a bursting garden, or a beautiful sunset to keep us going and remind us of the good things he has in store for us.
Also, if you are new to sourdough and interested in learning more, I highly recommend Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone’s YouTube channel and website.
If you are already sourdough-obsessed and looking for some good recipes, here are a few of my favorites, that I find simple to make and taste delicious:
Maybe sourdough isn’t your thing, but maybe there is something else you have been thinking about doing that feels a little out of your comfort zone, that you could try, but you fear failing.
I hope that I have encouraged you to try something new.
Lean into the thing that you are afraid of starting and just go for it! Create that piece of art, write the poem, make the recipe, try to grow a garden, sew the dress, bake a loaf of sourdough bread, go for a hike, sign up for the race, etc.
If you are feeling bored or stuck but don’t know where to start, my best advice is to look to God and see where he leads you.
God is both in the mundane moments of creating, doing, and failing as much as he is in the exciting ones of success.
When it comes to fearing failure we know we can overcome it, because Jesus loves us and overcame the worst thing for us.
He didn’t submit to death on a cross because we are perfect and never mess up, rather He did so because of His great love for us. Because of that, we can walk in freedom to try new things without fear of failure and knowing that even if we do fail, we are relentlessly loved.
Dear God,
I come to you burdened with fear. I feel paralyzed about how to start or what to do. I’m so afraid of failing. I don’t want to let myself down, I don’t want to let my family down, I don’t want to let you down, God.
And while this is so, I can’t help but be thankful. Thank you for providing this new opportunity,
I pray that you determine each of my steps* along this unfamiliar path.
But God you are a gracious God; your grace is sufficient for me; your power is perfected in weakness.*
God allow my fears to be replaced with the longing to build your kingdom—whether it be through something as small as the baking of bread or as big as a move to another town.
As I start this new endeavor, help me lean into your grace and walk in faith to overcome my fears and be present to focus on today, as each day has enough trouble of its own.*
Amen
Katie resides in the Pacific Northwest in the small town of Lynden, WA and currently serves in her church’s Preschool Ministry. She is married to an amazing husband and they have three beautiful kids. When she isn’t folding laundry or doing dishes you might find her exploring outside, reading a book, or baking.
This easy sourdough Dutch baby pancake has a delicious, soft center with the classic puffiness of your favorite German pancake recipe but made healthier with fermented grains. It's the perfect recipe for all that sourdough discard.
6 large eggs
2 cups sourdough starter
1/3 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
6 tablespoons butter
