Dill

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tithe of mint and dill and cumin, yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faith.”
~Matthew 23:23~

“He’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple:
Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love.”
~Micah 6:8 MSG~

This highly aromatic herb has gained more praise in my home as of recent, beyond the traditional dill pickle. Feathery and fragrant, dill was known as “meetin’ seed” in colonial days; interestingly, Puritans and Quakers would use it as a child’s chew during long sermons to help suppress their appetites. 

The connection to the Norse word dylan, “to soothe or lull,” lends us the most poignant imagery to this humble herb, with its umbels idyllically hovering over its fern-like leaves. As I’ve personally chewed on the health benefits of dill and its promises to promote digestion, relieve inflammation and regulate hormonal balance, I’ve even taken to dropping fresh dill into my nettle tea. At our home, its umbrella-like flowers bow perennially before our hydrant in our back yard every August, and I’ve taken to plucking it on my way by to chew on its digestive attributes. 

It sounds like the perfect panacea for a world full of trouble, one in which you are to “not be anxious about” (Mt. 6:34), but “cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).  

I recall a time when I was in anguish because I didn’t receive an invitation that seemed to have been whispered among the “favored” ones. I wasn’t historically apt to hold pity parties; but this time around, I found I was losing my footing as I groped to find a way to organize the feelings that left me feeling, well, left out.  

All that internal turmoil can wreak havoc on the physical body: the thoughts swirl in the brain, the pressure tightens around the chest, and the knots form in the stomach. The times when life feels unfair, like the stories of priests who would obey the letter of the law but the warm generosity of spirit is lacking; when you would do something in a heartbeat for another friend, but when there is an opportunity for someone to do you a good turn, there seems to be no one to pick up the slack. It’s easy to feel a pity party setting in. 

The reality is, we know we’ve received an invitation already. The one that matters. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28). It isn’t about winning the prize, the coveted job, the social status, the best hostess award, or making the best charcuterie board. It isn’t about the invitation that you didn’t receive, that everyone else seemed to be favored with. After all, I received the most important invitation of all, one that was delivered with great panache and held everlasting promises that I could sink my teeth into.

The dill can still be used as a child of God’s “chew” today. Let’s chew on things to praise and not to curse. “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies” (Phil. 4:8-9, MSG). 

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing” Psalm 34:8-9. 

Poached Tilapia with Sautéed Zucchini
Tilapia filets
Salt
Dried or fresh dill

Seed and thinly slice zucchini. Saute in olive oil or coconut oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme, or Italian Seasoning. Poach tilapia in ½ cup dry red wine. Salt and sprinkle with dill.