How many spices and herbs have a home in your kitchen? I have lots. Some have moved with me couple of times, some I need to replace frequently because I use them so much. I came across a reference to spices in my bible time so I did a little research. Curiosity, you know, it takes me to all kinds of places.
I didn’t realize that throughout history spices have been an important and valuable resource. Wars have been fought over them. Did you know that Long Island was won for England in a war over nutmeg? Black peppercorns were so valuable they were used as currency and worth their weight in gold. In fact several online resources said that Attila the Hun and the Visigoths demanded 3000 pounds of pepper for the release of Rome in 410 AD after it had been captured.
The value of a spice stemmed not only from flavor but from aroma and it's use as a medicine. In the bible the word “spices” is used 31 times. The first time they are mentioned is in Genesis chapter 37, they are being carried to Egypt by the Ishmaelites to whom Joseph is sold, and later in the same book by Jacob when he sends his remaining sons back to Egypt with spices to be exchanged for food during a time of great drought. In Exodus there were spices specified by God to be used for anointing oil and fragrant incense used by Levite priests. Directions for creating these oils were provided by God himself. The Israelites were forbidden to replicate the formulas God provided because they were sacred.
Another mention of spices affirms their great value in biblical times. They were used by the very rich and royalty in weddings to prepare the bride for her groom. Wealthy folks kept spices as treasures stored in storehouses, the same way they stored silver and gold. Spices were given as gifts. The Queen of Sheba gave a huge amount to King Solomon in Chronicles 9:9.
The wise men gave frankincense and myrrh to the parents of baby Jesus. Both were very prized and valuable. They were used in burial and myrrh was also used in the anointing of kings.
The women who sought to attend Jesus body at the tomb took burial spices. These spices were not used to stop or delay decomposition but were rather used to coat the body. This was done to prevent foul odors associated with a decaying body. How wild is it that spices are cited at both the beginning and ending of Jesus time on earth?
In addition to references of spices in general there are specific references to individual spices. Cumin, cinnamon, nard, balsam (balm of Gilead), and saffron are some mentioned by name.
I know that just as each spice has a unique flavor and aroma. Each of us does too. Our talents, abilities, and personalities are as varied as anise and vanilla bean. I wonder if ,while we are out and about each day, the fragrance that wafts around us is a pleasant one? Are we acting as a balm that heals hurts or more like salt in open wounds? Are we aware of our value in the sight of God? We are so precious to him. He didn’t ask for pepper to secure our freedom, He sent His One and Only.
I want my life to have the qualities of spices in the bible. I want it to be worth it's weight in gold, soothing and healing, fragrant and pleasing. I want to do what Paul says in Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet–smelling aroma.
A sacrifice and offering brought before others with love, even when we don’t feel very loving. How sweet that smell must be to our God. In Revelation 5:8 when the Lamb opens the scroll we see 24 elders fall before Him each with a golden bowl full of incense. It tells us the incense is the prayers of the saints. Let’s get to praying and fill up those bowls with the choicest of spices.
The humorist ,Erma Bombeck, said, “Once you get a spice in your home, you have it forever. Women never throw out spices. The Egyptians were buried with their spices. I know which one I'm taking with me when I go. “ Do you know which ones you are taking with you, not only when you go………but as you are going?
Friday, August 27, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Closure Is A Good Thing
There is a lot to be said for closure. For over a year now, I have been dealing with an issue that has weighed heavily on my mind and heart. It has caused me many sleepless nights and my poor husband has had to listen to me drone on and on playing a game of mental ping pong with myself while disseminating every minute detail of the possibilities.
Our last move made it possible to rekindle a friendship from several years ago. Everything appeared to be on the right track to move forward in the relationship. Well, initially it did. We shared meals, talked on the phone at least weekly, walked at the local track, and even went through a very intense bible study. Not only were we friends, our husbands were friends as well.
From my viewpoint, it all ended rather abruptly on her end. Although I continued to call and issue invitations, they were rebuffed and without any explanation as to why. After several months I gave up. The husbands remained close, but these men did not carry on the "feeling" conversations that we women would have. They played their games and then went home. I never knew what happened.
I theorized, worried, cried and was wounded by the lack of value I felt had been placed on something real to me. When we learned this couple would be moving to another state, I felt that there would never be any resolution. I knew I should just let it all go(easier said than done).
An opportunity presented itself just before their move and praise the Lord, I have closure. We (as a family) went to say good-bye and it was at that time, she told me why she had been avoiding me. The unfortunate thing is she had some misguided notions that had led to her decision to end the friendship. Things that she had speculated but that were completely untrue had caused her to distance herself.
It's a pity that rather than deal with her issues head on, they were allowed to fester and grow worse, much like an infection left untreated. If only she had come to me with her concerns, if only I had questioned her about what had changed for her. Since I can't turn back time for a do-over I guess I'll just try to keep in mind there is really only one "IF" in life and it comes between the "L" and the "E".
Maybe next time something of this nature happens, I'll be bold enough to address it.
The fact that she shared these things on the eve of the move didn't change a thing in our relationship. However, I am now able to let go of the hurt because it was acknowledged. Closure is a good thing.
Our last move made it possible to rekindle a friendship from several years ago. Everything appeared to be on the right track to move forward in the relationship. Well, initially it did. We shared meals, talked on the phone at least weekly, walked at the local track, and even went through a very intense bible study. Not only were we friends, our husbands were friends as well.
From my viewpoint, it all ended rather abruptly on her end. Although I continued to call and issue invitations, they were rebuffed and without any explanation as to why. After several months I gave up. The husbands remained close, but these men did not carry on the "feeling" conversations that we women would have. They played their games and then went home. I never knew what happened.
I theorized, worried, cried and was wounded by the lack of value I felt had been placed on something real to me. When we learned this couple would be moving to another state, I felt that there would never be any resolution. I knew I should just let it all go(easier said than done).
An opportunity presented itself just before their move and praise the Lord, I have closure. We (as a family) went to say good-bye and it was at that time, she told me why she had been avoiding me. The unfortunate thing is she had some misguided notions that had led to her decision to end the friendship. Things that she had speculated but that were completely untrue had caused her to distance herself.
It's a pity that rather than deal with her issues head on, they were allowed to fester and grow worse, much like an infection left untreated. If only she had come to me with her concerns, if only I had questioned her about what had changed for her. Since I can't turn back time for a do-over I guess I'll just try to keep in mind there is really only one "IF" in life and it comes between the "L" and the "E".
Maybe next time something of this nature happens, I'll be bold enough to address it.
The fact that she shared these things on the eve of the move didn't change a thing in our relationship. However, I am now able to let go of the hurt because it was acknowledged. Closure is a good thing.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Where Did I Put Those Ding-Dongs?
I used to buy groceries once every two weeks. I planned the meals I would prepare and the snacks we would need . I purchased the necessary items brought them home put them away and repeated the process two weeks later. Things have changed.
These days I am buying more groceries and they are lasting fewer days. The influx of teen boys and girls(I mean young men and women) in addition to my own bottomless pits is wiping my bank account out practically before the money is in. Seriously in one weekend they went through three gallons of milk, all the cereal, three big boxes of Little Debbie snacks, an industrial size peanut butter, two loaves of bread, a case of ramen noodles, a gallon of tea per day plus too many sodas and chips to count. Completely wiped out. Keep in mind these are just their snacks, I still prepare whatever meals need to be served while they are here.
For those of you who have known me a while- you might recall the days when I longed for ours to be the house where everyone would gather - so consider mine a cautionary tale. Be careful of what you wish; you just might get it. Just kidding, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Now, I don't begrudge the eating and I do like that they hang out here. I do wish there was a little portion control. Since I recognize the absence of connected frontal lobes (theirs not mine), I've started getting less stuff but doing it more frequently. I also hide the food- in my closet, under a bed, and in many areas I would consider finding something to eat a bit odd. They still find everything, it just takes them longer. The summer break was tough. Kids were not only here on weekends but in some cases all week long, I came very close to taking out a second mortgage for groceries.
It's funny but I have to hide band aids too. I haven't figured out the why to that one yet.
These days I am buying more groceries and they are lasting fewer days. The influx of teen boys and girls(I mean young men and women) in addition to my own bottomless pits is wiping my bank account out practically before the money is in. Seriously in one weekend they went through three gallons of milk, all the cereal, three big boxes of Little Debbie snacks, an industrial size peanut butter, two loaves of bread, a case of ramen noodles, a gallon of tea per day plus too many sodas and chips to count. Completely wiped out. Keep in mind these are just their snacks, I still prepare whatever meals need to be served while they are here.
For those of you who have known me a while- you might recall the days when I longed for ours to be the house where everyone would gather - so consider mine a cautionary tale. Be careful of what you wish; you just might get it. Just kidding, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Now, I don't begrudge the eating and I do like that they hang out here. I do wish there was a little portion control. Since I recognize the absence of connected frontal lobes (theirs not mine), I've started getting less stuff but doing it more frequently. I also hide the food- in my closet, under a bed, and in many areas I would consider finding something to eat a bit odd. They still find everything, it just takes them longer. The summer break was tough. Kids were not only here on weekends but in some cases all week long, I came very close to taking out a second mortgage for groceries.
It's funny but I have to hide band aids too. I haven't figured out the why to that one yet.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Favorite Tips for Around the House
I do not like bugs especially in they house, but no matter how clean I keep the kitchen or how often I take out the trash, somehow, someway, every once in a while they bring their creepy crawly selves right inside. Since I am not crazy about the idea of coating every surface of my home with chemicals and perhaps even having those chemicals reach the lungs of the two legged creatures skulking around while I exterminate I have sought out other methods of dealing with the critters that make their way inside.
As a mother of four I know there are times dishes, don’t make it to the sink; sometimes they don’t even make it to the kitchen. Even though the food left in bedrooms and under furniture has been the cause on more than one occasion for ants to trail into the house it’s not the only reason they come in. Sometimes weather has been the culprit either it has been too dry or too wet. Other times I have no idea why they come they just do. To get rid of them without pesticides, I use baby powder at their point of entry. The talc seems to be an effective barrier for preventing more ants from coming inside. Then cornmeal or grits (not the instant kind) are great weapons in the battle to do away with the ants; either of these grain products will swell inside the ants after consumption killing them. Once the problem is resolved , the ants can be deterred from returning by placing a few drops of peppermint oil on cotton balls and placing the cotton balls in known trouble spots. Be sure to refresh them periodically.
Another nuisance insect at my house has been the fruit fly. The pesky little gnat like flies are especially prevalent in the summer when I forget to throw out the bananas or tomatoes that have grown too ripe on the counter. The best way to get rid of them is with apple cider vinegar. Pour the vinegar into a bowl or wide mouth bottle, cover it with clear plastic wrap, poke holes in the plastic and secure it to the container with a rubber band to prevent the flies from escaping. I was amazed at how well this worked the first time I tried it. The flies breed in moist places so to prevent a re-infestation pour ammonia followed by hot water down the drains of your sinks.
One more thing I really hate is stains. We’ve had our share of those too. Red drinks, chocolate milk, mustard, ketchup, mud and blood, yep, I’ve had them all at one point in time. Try as I did and I assure you I did try REALLY HARD I walked away from several of them defeated and dejected. That was until I heard one of my favorite household hints ever- hydrogen peroxide and ammonia mixed in equal parts. The mixture has tackled every stain I‘ve encountered so far, effectively. Be sure to only mix it as you need it because it loses it’s potency after 24 hours. I’ve found that letting it set at least ten minutes before wiping or washing is enough time for it to do the job. On carpet I apply the solution, wait, then blot up as much as possible before using a wet cloth to scrub the remainder of the stain away.
What are some of your favorite household hints?
As a mother of four I know there are times dishes, don’t make it to the sink; sometimes they don’t even make it to the kitchen. Even though the food left in bedrooms and under furniture has been the cause on more than one occasion for ants to trail into the house it’s not the only reason they come in. Sometimes weather has been the culprit either it has been too dry or too wet. Other times I have no idea why they come they just do. To get rid of them without pesticides, I use baby powder at their point of entry. The talc seems to be an effective barrier for preventing more ants from coming inside. Then cornmeal or grits (not the instant kind) are great weapons in the battle to do away with the ants; either of these grain products will swell inside the ants after consumption killing them. Once the problem is resolved , the ants can be deterred from returning by placing a few drops of peppermint oil on cotton balls and placing the cotton balls in known trouble spots. Be sure to refresh them periodically.
Another nuisance insect at my house has been the fruit fly. The pesky little gnat like flies are especially prevalent in the summer when I forget to throw out the bananas or tomatoes that have grown too ripe on the counter. The best way to get rid of them is with apple cider vinegar. Pour the vinegar into a bowl or wide mouth bottle, cover it with clear plastic wrap, poke holes in the plastic and secure it to the container with a rubber band to prevent the flies from escaping. I was amazed at how well this worked the first time I tried it. The flies breed in moist places so to prevent a re-infestation pour ammonia followed by hot water down the drains of your sinks.
One more thing I really hate is stains. We’ve had our share of those too. Red drinks, chocolate milk, mustard, ketchup, mud and blood, yep, I’ve had them all at one point in time. Try as I did and I assure you I did try REALLY HARD I walked away from several of them defeated and dejected. That was until I heard one of my favorite household hints ever- hydrogen peroxide and ammonia mixed in equal parts. The mixture has tackled every stain I‘ve encountered so far, effectively. Be sure to only mix it as you need it because it loses it’s potency after 24 hours. I’ve found that letting it set at least ten minutes before wiping or washing is enough time for it to do the job. On carpet I apply the solution, wait, then blot up as much as possible before using a wet cloth to scrub the remainder of the stain away.
What are some of your favorite household hints?
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