Thousands of years ago it was discovered that adding spices to our food made things taste better.

Today there are over 100 unique spices that are used in the culinary arts.

That has created a 15.44 billion dollar spice trade industry in 2020.

Senior living without spice is as bland as grits without salt.

What are the spices of life that can make growing older more palatable?

The answer is not “what” but “who.”

The people we add to our lives are what make the difference between ho-hum and zest each day.

How about adding some children to your life?

If you have grandchildren, you are probably experiencing a very robust flavor already.

But have you considered mentoring a young person or even becoming a foster parent?

What about adding a little color to your living?

Just like salt and pepper make everything better, the combination of black and white friends is a seasoning we need these days.

Nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger are spices that date back to 3,500 BC.

Adding some older spices can also wake up the flavor of your life.

And there’s a lot of “old spice” to be found in Lexington!

Spicing up your life with people who are different from you will stimulate your mind.

You will be challenged to learn the art of disagreeing without being disagreeable.

Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 5:46-48 which I have paraphrased:

“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?

If you are paprika and only add to yourself more paprika, what is the benefit?

And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?

Do not even pagans do that?

Be ye, therefore, seasoned well, as your heavenly Father is spiced to perfection!”

And If you are a well-seasoned citizen, you need to get out of the shaker and spice up somebody else’s life.

Next week: Come, ye thankful people

Dan Williams is the senior adult pastor at Lexington Baptist Church.