GOOD SENSE AND GOOD SCENTS

GOOD SENSE AND GOOD SCENTS

For whatever reason, my son seems to think that I will someday harm him by allowing him to eat spoiled food. So, what does he do? He will ask me to smell a dish of something, to assess its freshness, that he has found while rummaging through my refrigerator. This is a case where my sense of smell blesses me and him with the good sense not to eat something that smells afoul…we have never had that happen.

The sense of smell (smell of smoke- fire, odor of skunk) aids in my safety. My sense of smell can heighten the enjoyment of the seasons of the year (fresh cut Christmas tree, roses blooming in the summer, cut grass, turkey roasting Thanksgiving Day).

For years after my mother died, I kept a pink flannel nightgown of hers sealed in a gallon zip lock bag tucked securely in the back of the bottom drawer of my nightstand. The article of clothing held her distinctive smell of liniment and wintergreen alcohol, her personal cure for aches and pains. I didn’t open the bag often but when I did, I was transported back to her presence. One day, I opened the bag, and her scent was gone but her good common-sense lives in my head and heart. Perhaps her wisdom has touched you because it has shown up in my writing.

My husband inherited a favorite bible from his pastor, mentor, and friend almost 16 years ago. He opened the Bible a year or so ago and we both got a whiff of the friend’s cologne. We were excited and talked about some of the ways he continues to inform our lives.

I love the sweet, floral yet herbal and woodsy scent of lavender. A few drops on the pillow is reported to improve sleep. Lavender may have a positive effect on mood, stress, anxiety, and depression. Other herbs are reported to help with other physical and emotional challenges. Our sense of smell makes it possible for us to take advantage of these scents, these tools. They connect us to a sense of well-being but only if we have the good sense to try them.

The gift of smell is one of the physiological aspects of life I tend to take for granted. It shouldn’t be so. Smell supports safety and well-being. Scents may help me remember something or someone. The benefits of either are immeasurable. Just ask my son.

Proverbs 27:9

PONDER THIS THOUGHT---THE SENSE OF SMELL CAN CONNECT ME TO GOOD SENSE – WISDOM.