We went to Jekyll Island, Ga. for Thanksgiving this year and before heading home on Sunday we visited a small church on the island. A congregation of about 40, all locals to the island, we were the only visitors this Sunday. Madison and Andrew were the only children in the church. To say it was a special experience for our family would be an understatement. There were many elements of this sweet service that grabbed my attention, but what caught me the most was the pastors opening to his sermon. He ask us about how we use our senses this time of the year. Things we smell, taste, see, hear, how we use our hands. What made this so profound for me was the fact that for the past two weeks I've been thinking a great deal about my senses, and taking so much delight in them. Madison and I spend some time in bookstores doing our school work and there is just something about being surrounded with new books and the smell of coffee that motivates you to learn. The kids and I stopped by a Christmas Tree lot to pick up a couple of wreaths and the air was filled with that wonderful Christmas smell. Another afternoon I was working at my desk and stopped to enjoy the smell of an apple-cinnamon candle burning and homemade soup cooking on the stove. At my weekly women's group our opening question was, "What are you thankful for?" My answer was "good smells". I am amazed at the sights, sounds, and smells of the season. Just in our small Thanksgiving vacation there were millions of ways to take joy in our senses. The delicious food and sweet treats, smells of the ocean air, the feel of bare feet in the sand, the beautiful view of an ocean sunrise and the sights of a Christmas tree lighten up and fireworks that filled the sky, the sounds of Christmas carols and children laughing and squealing while playing in the man-made snow, I could go on and on. Could we use our senses to feel God? Absolutely!
Our senses are the means through which the body feels and perceives to include seeing, hearing,touching, smelling, and tasting. They are a gift from God to bring pleasure and delight to our lives and to teach us about the world around us. God is always reaching out to us and we can relate with him though our incredible senses. He is awesome!!!
This season when things tend to get stressful and busy be sure to take the time and notice what you smell, taste, hear, see, and feel. Our God is a God who sees and hears, he can smell and feel and speak. Unlike man-made gods that cannot speak, they cannot feel or see (Ps. 115:5-8). We are made in Gods image. How can we use our senses to bring joy this Christmas, bring delight to our families and homes, and experience God?
"Then Jesus placed his hands on the man's eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly." Mark 8:25
"Anyone with ears to hear, should listen and understand." Matt. 13:9
"Taste and see that the Lord is good." Ps. 34:8
"Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God." 2Cor.2:15
"She touched the hem of his robe, for she thought, If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed." Matt. 9:20-22
