We have officially entered pumpkin spice season.
On the threshold of the autumn leaves changing colors, pumpkin spice makes its seasonal appearance. Looking back, the pumpkin spice craze began in 2003 when Starbucks introduced a new coffee drink called Pumpkin Spice Latte. Pumpkin spice is the collection of spices that are usually added to a pumpkin pie recipe, including cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
Somewhat ambiguously, it does not contain any actual pumpkin.
The flavor gained so much popularity and became such a big seller that companies started making pumpkin spice versions of pretty much any product that you can think of, from biscuits, cakes and cookies (including pumpkin spice flavored Oreos), to candles, soaps, lotions, air fresheners and skincare products.
I recently caught a glimpse of pumpkin spice flavored dog treats on a store shelf. Bow WOW Pumpkin Spice!
The charm of pumpkin spice extends beyond just its flavor. The aroma of this harvest-time blend can trigger fond memories of the comforts of home during the fall season luring us toward anticipation of cozy Thanksgiving gatherings. The relaxing scent draws us in and we are emotionally connected to a sense of security and reminded of cherished family traditions.
As the air cools, we rediscover our seasonal habits including cuddling up under warm blankets and planning menus to include our favorite comfort foods.
What are your favorite comfort foods? It feels good to just think about them, doesn’t it? Some top candidates might include fried chicken, chili, stew, mac ‘n’ cheese, pizza, and maybe some mashed potatoes and gravy. Yum!
Indulging in our comfort foods accomplishes what is inherent in the name, which is to provide us with comfort and a sense of security.
On the flipside, in what can be viewed as a common denominator among our friends seeking help at the food pantry, and contrasting from the realm of comfort food is the condition of living with food insecurity. Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.
Many of our neighbors do not have access to sufficient nutritious food that will meet their dietary needs for health and wellness. They do not have the option to choose dietary items that fulfill active and healthy lives for a variety of reasons.
Beyond the physical pain, discomfort, and lack of energy generated by insufficient nutrition, it is traumatic to ponder the array of psychological damage that accompanies a household fighting hunger.
A teenager named Ashley recently shared with me how the struggle to have enough food to eat is manifested in her home. She often overhears her parents fight over money. Her mom cries when attempting to balance the budget and the checkbook.
They eat a lot of peanut butter and jelly and ramen for dinner. Breakfast is usually a bowl of generic cereal, and they do not typically have milk in the house to top it off. Ashley regularly skips meals and worries a lot about how the empty belly hunger pains make her feel unsocial and disconnected from her friends.
I met with a couple who lost their home to fire. They had been investing their limited income in fixing up the home over the last year. They lacked enough funds to make some critical upgrades to the home and also at the same time pay for homeowners insurance. The home they worked so hard to improve was uninsured when the fire took place. In the end they lost everything including their savings and a place to live.
There are many different scenarios that can remove comfort from the homes of our neighbors. The reasons are not always what you might expect, and often there is a lot more to it than meets the eye.
How can you help? Resonate with the familiar idea that giving blesses the giver. Everyone who has experienced some abundance has the capacity to reach out to someone who could use your time and attention. If you question that you possess the tools, skills, or the opportunity, you can ask God to open your eyes to guide the way.
You already are aware of what makes you feel uplifted, comforted, and cared for and therefore you are equipped to creatively replicate those experiences for others. It does not have to be complicated. The simple act of tuning in a nudge that leads to a connection to someone else can be transformative.
Being heard and being seen by others cultivates hope. Hope can invert insecurity, blossoming it into a sense of security for someone who is feeling isolated, weary, or troubled.
Proverbs 11: 25 speaks to this idea, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Try sharing some of that nice pumpkin spice sense of comfort to a loved one, neighbor, or stranger. It is rewarding to act upon every opportunity to share generously the gifts that God has provided to us.
Janet Mills is the director of Cassville Pantry, located at 800 W. 10th St. in Cassville. She may be reached at cassvillepantry@ gmail.com or 417-846 7871.
