What Is This? | Puffball Mushroom
- Ryan Kain
- Nov 6
- 2 min read
My wife recently shared a teaching from her Bible study that the Hebrew word “manna” means “what is this?”. The author of the book was speaking about how God had sufficiently supplied the Israelites with all they needed - provision on the heels of deliverance. Yet their response showed the true condition of their heart . The same fleshly heart that you and I struggle with. They asked God for food - he provided - and our first response can be - What is this?
“The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was. And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat.” Exodus 16:15 NLT
Not a week later I was driving through the woods on the Ranger with my son when he pointed and said - what is that!? We may not have been whining to God about food in this instance, but the question - and the object he pointed at - replicated this story from Exodus 16 in my mind.
Calvatia gigantea - that’s what he was pointing at. A giant puffball mushroom! Maybe not flaky like the manna - but just as delicate - and especially a provision from the Lord!
We plucked it from the ground and took it back to the house. After a quick lesson on handling the knife me and the boys had it peeled and sliced - ready for a hot pan* full of butter, some salt and a pinch of black pepper.
As I took the bite - it was less than exhilarating. They aren’t a morel - but they aren’t terrible either. Manna. Then a chord struck deep in my soul - instead of praising God for his provision and nourishment - I was saying “what is this?” I turned from my thoughts and thanked God as I picked up the second slice. What a joy to drive through the woods and stumble across a blessing on a warm September day.
What a challenge to let praise and thankfulness be the first thing that leaves my lips. Thankfulness. Trust. Provision. As we are reminded in Deuteronomy - when we have the Word of God and we lean in to his promises for our lives - what else do we actually need?
“Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 8:3 NLT
That’s what I learned from this giant, white, basketball sized fungus. Manna from heaven. A white substance of provision. I praise God for it!
*Note | Want more info on cooking puffball mushrooms: Check out this blog from Forager Chef.
*Here are some recipes to checkout: Search 'puffball' on Forager Chef
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