Posted in Growing in the Lord
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Are there smells that are a comfort to you? Or maybe these fragrances bring fond memories of times past. I was reminded of this recently while at one of the 4-H camps with my children. The camp is filled with huge pine trees, and as you would probably guess, the ground was littered with pine straw. On this particular day, it was quite warm out. As the sun beat down upon the piles of straw, there was the pungent aroma of the pine needles surrounding me. The straw must absorb a lot of heat from the sun, because I could feel warmth mingling with the scent.
The smell of warm pine straw brings different memories to me. One of the most special is when we lived in Orlando when I was a girl. My family would go to this wonderful state park for picnics. It always seemed like it took forever to get there, but it was well worth the drive. There is nothing like the scenery, flora, and fauna of southern Florida.
I was also reminded of the times that we would visit Stone Mountain park in Georgia when I was a teenager. Those were some great times, especially when out-of-town friends or near-by relatives would join us.
Yes, it was a sweetsmelling savour indeed.
Smelling that sweet smell reminded me of other smells that evoke fond thoughts and memories. For instance, my grandmother's irises. Though I was very young when she sold her farm after grandpa died, I remember visiting her house in the spring and seeing a yard full of purple iris. When she died many years later, her irises were the first thing I thought of.
The man who bought my grandpa's farm also bought up all the farms around it and tore down all of the houses and barns. Back in the 90's, my mom, one of her sisters, and one of her brothers were able to get back to the property. While they were there they dug up the irises that were still growing and mom brought some home with her. A few years ago she gave me some for my yard and every year I look forward to the time when the iris will bloom. I can see them from my kitchen window and at the sign of the first bloom, I'm out the door to catch a whiff of the sweet, if not unique, smell of grandma's iris.
It's really a bittersweet sort of thing. I know that once the flowers have bloomed and faded away, there will be no more until the next spring. But for a few moments every time I smell the iris, I am transported back to my childhood and the few memories I have of the farm. I remember eating beans and taters for lunch one time, as well as gathering eggs from the hen house. I remember the time the rooster got after my brother and pecked his rear! I also remember the time when my grandfather was very sick with cancer and died. Then there are all of the memories of grandma in the 20 or so years after grandpa died. When we lived away in Orlando, she would come to stay with us from Thanksgiving until Christmas. When we would visit for the summer, we always stayed in her trailer.
So, so many things to think about when I smell the iris. Yes, a sweetsmelling savour, indeed.
Something else that conjures up pleasant thoughts is cantaloupe. My dad's mom loved it and it seemed that everytime we visited her house at meal time, she was cutting one.
Maw-maw was one interesting lady and I've learned things about her the last few summers that really surprise me. Okay, well, not really. I'm just reminded of what a fiesty woman she was! Sassy and saucy describes her perfectly! Her cheeks were always pink, her hair always white as snow, and she absolutely loved to dress up! I have several of her hats from the 50's, as well as some costume jewelry. She was a beautiful woman.
Some of the things I am reminded of are family cookouts to a place called The Laurels. It was a very shaded park with a good sized creek wondering through. It was always such a wonderful time to spend with aunts, uncles, cousins, and our grandparents, especially out-of-town family or during times when we lived away.
Christmas was always a grand time! We'd gather together for a big meal on Christmas Eve, then all of the kids would wait patiently (NOT!) for gift-giving time. With such a huge family and a limited budget, she never could afford to do much for us. But there was always something for each grandchild. Most often she would make things for us. One of the best things for me were all of the babydoll accessories like blankets and pillows. There were also pajama bags, frogs stuffed with birdseed, and snakes made from old ties.
When I cut a cantaloupe, there is a sweetsmelling savour, indeed. Sometimes bittersweet, but always sweet.
Experiencing the wonderful smell of warm pine straw not only reminded me of all the other significant smells in my life, but it caused me to remember that we are constantly sending up odours to the Lord. Though we can send up a stench to the Lord (Lev. 26:31), today I want to talk about those swell smells we send up.
Those sweet smells come to Him in the form of our love and sacrifice.
But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. Philippians 4:18
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Ephesians 5:1 & 2
Jesus loved us and sacrificed His own life. The believers in Philippi sacrificed in order to provide for the man of God. In doing so, they were expressing their love for God and the preacher. Both of these sacrifices were acceptable, wellpleasing, and sweetsmelling to God.
I think when I smell all those things that bring back such wonderful memories for me, what I remember most is the love and sacrifices of my parents and my grandparents. There might not have ever been much money, but there was always love. That love was shown in the things my family did for me. Materially, there wasn't much and you can't sacrifice what you don't have. But they gave what was most important: their time and devotion. I don't think I missed much by not having material things from them, but what I did get is acceptable, wellpleasing, and sweetsmelling even to this day.
Does this make you wonder if you are leaving sweetsmells for your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or other people in your life? Do you complain about the sacrifices you must make? Do you give up what God is calling you to release with joy? Do you back up our claims of love of God with your sacrifices and sweetsmells? What odour is making its way to God from you?
John 12 and Mark 14 tells us of Mary's sacrifice of precious ointment. It filled the room with an odour (sweetsmelling, I am certain). What others saw as a waste, Jesus called a good work and said that her sacrifice would always be remembered. What stands out to me is Jesus' comment that "she hath done what she could".
When our life is over, I wonder what memorial we will leave behind. Will people be able to say that we have done what we could? What memories and thoughts will certain smells bring to mind in those lives we touched? What sacrifices will we be remembered for?
One of the most comforting things I know is that God's not looking for perfection. He just wants our love and sacrifice. In these things, by imitating our Saviour, perfection will come.
Say, what's that sweetsmell?
Julia |
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Posted by HorseLover94
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