Growing up, there were so many vegetables I only ever read about in books. I never actually ate them. That’s because I grew up in Nigeria — tropical West Africa — where some of those “storybook” vegetables, like asparagus or celery, weren’t part of our regular meals — or at least not in my home. Ok, not to generalize, perhaps some Nigerian families bought them, but certainly not ours.

What we did have was a backyard garden with locally grown vegetables. My parents planted Indian spinach, bitterleaf, and fluted pumpkin leaves (ugu). And because my dad was a pastor, church members often brought baskets of fresh produce to our home. So even when we didn’t harvest from our garden, we were never short of vegetables.

Now, fast forward to life in Canada. Hubby and I wanted our children to have that same kind of connection with food — to know how it grows, what it looks like in its raw state, how to prepare it, and even how it’s served (farm to table). I wanted them to appreciate its nutritional value and see food as more than just something that appears on their plate.

So I started what I call our “Vegetable of the Week” adventure. We’d go to the grocery store together, look at all the colorful options, and pick one new vegetable to explore — asparagus, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, even the choy varieties from the Asian store. When we got home, we’d prepare each one in different ways and taste it together. Sometimes it was love at first bite; other times, not so much. But every week was a new discovery.

Over time, I noticed something beautiful happening. My kids began to know themselves better — through food. They developed favourites, and not just vague ones. For instance, if they asked for cucumbers, they’d tell me exactly how they wanted them: “with lemon and salt, please.” That kind of self-awareness, that growing sense of what they enjoy and how they like it, warms my heart every time.

And as I patiently watched them explore, I began to see something deeper. This is exactly how God works with us. He introduces us to new things — new seasons, new challenges, new callings. Sometimes we resist because it feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable. But over time, as we stay open, we begin to see the beauty and joy in what once seemed strange.

Just as I want my children to explore, taste, and grow, God wants us to experience life in all its fullness — not only the parts we already like. Growth doesn’t happen all at once; it unfolds in small, gradual steps, one act of obedience at a time.

Sometimes, the lessons He serves aren’t easy to swallow. They might even feel like the “bitter leaves” of life. But if we keep trusting Him, we find that even those unpalatable seasons carry purpose and nourishment.

Going back to my children’s story, it tuned out that their vegetable adventure wasn’t just about eating healthy. It was about discovery, bonding, and planting seeds of curiosity that last a lifetime.

In the same way, the valleys and seasons God takes us through aren’t just meant to keep us spiritually healthy. They’re designed to strengthen our bond with Him, deepen our faith, and awaken our curiosity for the life He’s growing within us.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34:8 KJV)

Categories: My lifestyle

Tags: Christian, Christian Living, Christian parenting, Christianity, Experiences, Faith, Gratitude, Intentional living, intentional parenting, Life lessons, Motherhood, Parenting, Parenting Reflections, personal growth, Raising a wholesome family, Raising Godly children, Raising Godly kids, raising successful children, Reflections, Self-Development, Spiritual growth, Teaching kids