Thankful Hearts: The Five Senses (Smell)
Today, I am thankful for … the sense of SMELL.
"When you present a Grain-Offering to God, use fine flour. Pour oil on it, put incense on it, and bring it to Aaron’s sons, the priests. One of them will take a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all the incense, and burn it on the Altar for a memorial: a Fire-Gift, a pleasing fragrance to God."
Leviticus 2:1-2 (Message)
Ladies, I have to confess that these past three days have made me realize how much I take each of my senses for granted. What rich and life-giving pleasures we posses--each one sweetly handed out by our sovereign Gift Giver! Over the last few days, knowing that my post day was/is on the sense of smell, I have become acutely aware of how much I am affected by differing aromas. I get euphorically lost in yummy smells and then my stomach does nauseating flips with the opposite. I choose to focus on pleasant smells today.
I truly didn't realize this until now, but in comparison to Madelaine Miller Singleton , who mentioned in her post pertaining to the sense of sight, that someday she might be stuck at heaven's pearly gates studying the size, shape, color, and texture of each pearl, l likewise, but not nearly as glorious, might presently be found stuck on aisle 10 in my local Publix grocery store sniffing the wonderful assortment of Yankee candles. I guess you can call this choice practice my very own "aroma therapy session". Apple Spice. Salted Caramel. Birthday Cake. Lavendar Vanilla. Oh my goodness, so many smells! The other day, I had to break down and purchase the Evergreen scented candle. When I took one whiff, I was immediately transported to an abundance of past Christmas mornings. Something else I came to realize in these past few days is that I also choose my shampoo, aisle 11, by its appealing scent rather than the words that might actually be more beneficial to my very-fine-bottled-blonde-hair. It's hard to beat the smell of strawberries or coconut or spring rain. And I will not even begin to elaborate on differing smells of facial/body scrubs, also on aisle 11; ok just one wonderful combination: kiwi and aloe... just for the smell of it!
What about you? What are some of your favorite scents that exists in gardens, in spices, or in perfumes? Let's have a thanksgiving-aroma-fest today. Share your choice smells below so we can celebrate with you!
I will end with happy-sensory-post with this beautiful spiritual truth. In the Old Testament, when all the differing offerings--burnt offering, grain offering, peace offering, sin offering, and guilt offering--were placed on the altar before the Lord, each one had a God-given distinct combination of materials that, when lit with fire, would release a "soothing aroma that was pleasing to the Lord". Let us remember, these sacrifices of old point to us today. As we offer ourselves to Him each day, in praising, in thanksgiving, in confessing, in forgiving, in believing, we too, in God's heavenly realm, bear the "sweet smelling aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing" (2 Corinthians 2:15). What a privilege to give off, in a variety of ways, the scent of our blessed Savior. God is pleased, and the world around us is curious at the inviting aroma. Soul Sisters, let us each be lit with His holy flame today!
For further reading: Gen 1:11-13; Leviticus 3:5; Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8; Ezekiel 20:41; Matthew 2:11; Mark 14:3-9
Dear Lord,
Forgive me for not thanking You sooner, but hear me now: thank You, thank You, thank You for the sense of smell (and also for all the other senses that I have taken for granted!). I want to praise you today for the sensory gifts that I have possessed for the past 51 years. You are so beautifully complex and amazingly generous to Your children--gifts upon gifts. I ask here and now that if any Soul Sister is lacking in one of these senses, that You would graciously meet her in this specific place by holding her hand and blessing her in ways she cannot imagine. Please continue to cultivate thankfulness in each of our hearts over the many blessings you touch us with so that we can be a pleasing aroma to You today. Please Lord, light the candles of our soul. In Your Name. Amen.
