Thankful Hearts

Wednesday, November 9

Thankful Hearts

Week 2 Focus: The Five Senses

Today, I am thankful for … the sense of SMELL.

For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To one we are the smell of death, to the other, the fragrance of life. 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

About two and a half years ago, my daughter Emmy and her (then) fiancee were driving along in his car one afternoon when he stated, "Whew, that skunk smell is powerful!" After that, Emmy turned to him and said, "What skunk smell?" Hmmm, no sense of smell. Next thing they did was get a Covid test.

The sense of smell, much like the other senses, is something we simply take for granted until we don't have it. But just think what we would be missing out on if we were void of aromas? I took a few minutes to list some of my favorite smells, savored them in my mind, and then thanked God for them from my heart. I love the smell of:

--hamburgers on the grill

--apple pie in the oven

--a newborn baby's breath

--spring rain

--the ocean's salty breeze

--burning wood in a bonfire

--evergreens at Christmas

--my husband's aftershave

My list could go on and on. The more I think about what I love to smell, the more thankful I become for this specific sense! What about you? What are some of your favorite aromas? Let's have a smell-party together and thank the Lord for it all!

On another note, I love to know that we believers bear the "aroma of Christ" first of all to God, and also to those around us. When we live like Christ through the help of his Spirit, we emit a scent that is "pleasing to the Lord." In my imagination, I can't help but wonder what "joy" might smell like, or "kindness", or "forgiveness." And then on the other hand, I wonder about the scent of "selfishness" or "pride" or "bitterness." The common phrase, "Your attitude stinks," may have some real truth to it in the spiritual realm! With that being said, a goal of ours today could

be this: may our choice-attitudes match our favorite aroma

s. Let's smell and "be smelled," all with thankful hearts!

Exploring Scripture: Genesis 1:11-13; Leviticus 2:2, 3:5; Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8; Matthew 2:11;

Mark 14:3-9; 2 Cor. 2:15

Dear Lord,

We thank you for the sense of smell. Just like we have praised you for being able to see your creation and also to hear it, we are praising you today for the fact that YOU are the Creator of all that we smell. You gave us this sense to enjoy your handiwork from a whole different angle. What a gift; you are so good to us. We will praise you today as we savor each scent. May we in turn be a "sweet smelling aroma" to you and to others. Amen.