Seasoning: to give (food) more flavor or zest by adding seasoning or savory ingredients, to give a distinctive quality to as if by seasoning especially, to make more agreeable (Merriam-Webster). 

If I were to represent the seasons of my life so far in flavors, the spice rack would fill an entire kitchen. 

Each season seems to have a small collection of memorable faces. Some faces brought bitter tastes to times when I did not know how I would endure because of the extreme unkindness or exhausting pettiness of people. Most people understand this—no need for explanations. 

Miraculously, some faces still make me ask, “Where did that wonderful person come from? And why? How?” These people listened to me when decisions felt monumental and paralyzing. I see faces from the USA and South Asia, laughing around dinner tables, easing pangs of loneliness and filling my life with friendship. I see faces of people who were able to speak truth in love to me because we had earned each other’s trust over time. I see people who saved me from myself. 

Whether these faces represent warm or painful memories, they were seasonings in my life, bringing distinct flavors to specific periods of time.  

I am thinking of this today in gratitude for the refreshing people who have added love and wisdom to my life. I am also remembering people who left a trail of destruction in their wake. 

What flavor do I add to others’ lives? 

I have a presence, a voice, an influence. I am capable of mistakes and poor choices. I know there are times—even some I am unaware of—when I added bitterness. 

Being an image bearer of the Creator, I am also capable of goodness and love. Sometimes I have added blessing and sweetness. 

It gets complicated when someone is treating me poorly. I have to protect my mental health while also choosing not to exact my personal version of justice on my offender—even when it would be very easy.  

As I consider how my choices influence others and myself, may God grant wisdom and strength to choose what is life-giving.