I’m on a new med and partial loss of smell seems to be one of the side effects. I have noted that while there are disadvantages to this there also seem to be benefits. My wife came into the room and complained about what the dog had done and I honestly could not notice. One of the disadvantages is after shave lotion. I am using way too much and I reek on my way to church. And the lilacs, whose scent I love, were nothing to me this year.
My dog is a real sniffer. We don’t go for walks. We go for sniffs. It takes so long to get around the block I am not sure if I get any exercise. Sometimes when she finds something wonderful to sniff she will look at me and seem to say, “Come here and check this out. It’s intoxicating.” I’m glad my nose is never that good.
In the ancient Jewish sanctuary there was an altar of incense. While it represented the prayers of the people ascending to God it also had a very practical purpose. As holy as the place was it smelled like a butcher shop with all the sacrifices and the blood that was daily sprinkled on the veil between the Holy and Most Holy places. In the Song of Solomon we read, “Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out.” While this was written by a human for a human I can easily see how it would apply to God’s love for us. Our names are to Him “like perfume poured out.” It is like that when you deeply love someone. Their name sates our senses.
Written by Roger Bothwell on June 11, 2014
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org