It Smells Like Home!

Scientists have said that our sense of smell is very closely tied to our memories. Well, recently it has been smelling like home. No, not the wonderful smells of manure, cows, and barns. Those smells remind me of Uncle Andy's or Grandpa Stoltzfus farms. It's the lilacs that are in bloom everywhere that smells like home.

I grew up outside of Rochester, NY, which is known for its annual lilac festival, every year around Mother's Day. In the late 1800, nurserymen endowed the community with 20 acres of rolling hills known as Highland Park and the park's final development was done by the same man who designed, New York City's Central Park. There are now over 500 varieties of lilacs and when the weather cooperates (remember, this is western NY!), the lilacs are spectacular. And, oh so fragrant.

After getting married and moving to California, I missed that wonderful smell of spring as lilacs are not grown there. Nor do lilacs grow in North Carolina. But Switzerland does lilacs well. At least in the Zurich region. So when I'm out for my almost daily walk, I am enjoying the fragrance.

There is something very special about smells from home. They are comforting, soothing and refreshing. I thought about my own aroma. (No, not the aroma after a vigorous 5 mile walk!!) The scripture says that when I am an imitator of Christ and walk in love, that it is to God a "fragrant aroma," that it reminds him of Christ sacrifice of Himself on the cross. (Ephesians 5:1,2) When I am most like Christ I provide the God of heaven and earth, the one who gave Himself for me with a fragrant aroma to enjoy. Oh may I be that aroma.