15 Jul Carry Your Saltshaker: Lessons from Finnish Kitchens to African Spice Markets
While I enjoy experimenting with different seasonings and flavors, I’ll admit that my taste probably leans toward the more conventional end of the palate spectrum (if you know you know). Growing up in a Finnish household, our meals were typically seasoned with salt, pepper, and onions, which were our go-to staples. It wasn’t until adulthood that I began exploring more spices, gradually adding “exotic” flavors like oregano, thyme, and rosemary. I still remember feeling quite proud the first time I made rosemary chicken; it felt like a culinary milestone.
The Spice Aisle: A Whole New World
What I wasn’t prepared for when I moved to Africa was the jolt to my senses upon first encountering bold flavors like curry, cumin, and turmeric. These spices were unfamiliar to someone raised on salt, pepper, and onions.
In the open food markets here, the “spice aisle” looks nothing like the ones I knew back home (Publix and Winn-Dixie in the USA). Spices aren’t stored in climate-controlled shops or sealed containers. Instead, they’re piled high in open sacks, sold in bulk, and displayed in full view. Shoppers move slowly, touching, tasting, and comparing. There are no labels needed. The air itself carries a mix of spicy and earthy scents that naturally guide you there. It’s not polished, but it’s practical.
Lessons from the Market
I’ve learned many lessons from those spice aisles as I’ve tried some of the mysterious mixes from the market. For one, I discovered I really love spices, though some of them don’t always love me back (let the reader understand). I appreciate the variety they bring and how they transform simple ingredients into something special.
I also learned that spices lose their flavor over time, a surprising lesson for me. Perhaps the hardest lesson I’m still learning is finding the right balance: the perfect amount of spices for each recipe. The best method I’ve found is to taste as you go, adjusting the mix until it feels just right.
And when tasting, use a new spoon each time—no double-dipping, please!
Carry Your Saltshaker
I carry a saltshaker with me wherever I go, not the kind from the kitchen (see Mark 9:50)—but one that symbolizes the flavor of my words and actions. Just as salt enhances food, my speech and behavior add flavor to my life.
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:6 NKJV
The aroma this mixture creates is the way I live and interact, and it can either attract others or push them away. It’s a subtle but powerful reminder that how I “season” my life matters, affecting whether people care or ignore.
The Spice of Life
Living a dull, unseasoned life is much simpler since it avoids the hassle of learning how to mix spices. It’s easier to live unseasoned, but it’s also the most boring. Life, like food, becomes more engaging and vibrant when we add seasoning.
Naturally, people are drawn to someone whose life is full of spice. The saltiness in their conversations, actions, and presence sparks a desire in others for connection and for more of what they offer.
Remember to take your saltshaker with you when you leave the house. Sooner or later, someone is bound to say, “Pass me the salt, please.”
Consider
If you’re ready to live a life with a bit more flavor—more boldness, kindness, and purpose—begin today by carrying your saltshaker wherever you go. Notice how your words and actions add seasoning to everyday moments and invite others to taste something better.
Closing Prayer
God, help me remember to carry my saltshaker every day—the way I speak, the things I do. Let my life be flavorful and authentic, something that makes people want to know more. Teach me how to add just the right amount of seasoning so I don’t overwhelm, but encourage and inspire. Use me to bring a little extra taste of Your love into the world. Amen.
P.S. For an authentic taste of Finland, check out some recipes here – they aren’t always bland!
Lea Peters has been a pastor’s wife and missionary since 1987. She has served alongside her husband, Jamie, planting churches and establishing faith-based community outreaches in Africa. She has four children and two grandchildren.
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