Smells…Take Us On A Journey…

Smells have a way of taking us on a journey back in time, to a place in the past. We associate smells with experiences. They can be either good or bad, transporting us back to a place of comfort or distress. The smell of a mother’s scarf, walking in an old house that belonged to a relative, smelling freshly baked goods, or sorting through a closet and putting on a garment last worn on a special occasion, all can trigger these emotions tied to a special event or experience. After driving my dad’s car (after he passed away), the smell of the interior reminds me of him. It has an old person smell. If that turns your nose or reminds you of your mother or grandmother, I can’t explain it, but I refuse to place car scent in it because I want it to last as long as possible. Today’s proverb talks about heartfelt words from a friend. They are like perfume or incense. They, like the smell of my dad’s car, bring about a meaningful experience that transports our downtrodden spirit up to a level of significance that pleases the soul. It’s like smelling the aroma of a budding rose bush in the Spring, it lifts your countenance above the noise of mediocrity. It helps you focus on what’s important. It gives us reason to praise our Creator God. So the next time you experience a friend’s heartfelt counsel, acknowledge it and tell them how much you appreciate the aroma of the experience. Enjoy the effects those words have on your spirit.

9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Proverbs 27:9