Someone planted beautiful climbing roses along the fence at the end of our street. They started blooming this week and as I walked last night I caught that unmistakable familiar scent. As a matter of fact I smell the roses before I saw them. Everything seems to be happening earlier this year! The scent brought back memories of Valentine and anniversary bouquets and of blooms cut from a member’s yard and arranged for my office. Towards the Dogwood Drive end of my street I caught a whiff of another unmistakable smell – that of pit cooked Southern barbecue. I thought the roses smelled great but this made me weak in the knees! I had flashbacks to all the school fund-raising barbecues I’ve attended in my life and of the search for the perfect barbecue restaurant during vacations. There have been other times when I’ve caught a scent that triggered memories. I wonder if that happens for others, too. The disciples would probably never smell nard again without remembering Mary’s generous anointing and understanding what it foretold. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Maybe I can’t remember Christ by smell, but I can remember his life, love and death through scripture and song and by sharing with others. I’m going to do more of that during Holy Week and hope you will, too.
Thank you Lord, for the wonders of scents; for the fragrances that are pleasing to us. Help them to bring back good memories and help us to remember your Son who gave so much for us. We ask in his name. Amen.Modified and used 8-31-21
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