The Fragrance of Praise
As a child, I lived in five states by age nine. As an adult, I added two more states to that number. But no matter where I’ve lived, spring has always been my favorite time of the year. The world returns to life after months of cold, ice, and snow.
I can still remember the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes popping up in the fields and along the roadsides during my childhood in Texas. And later, I loved the bursts of color from the tulips, jonquils and dogwoods greeting the frosty air of Kentucky and Tennessee.
But springtime in Florida is a different awakening altogether. Given the mild temperatures, most plants don’t go dormant, and blooming begins earlier. In my yard here, the scents of the magnolia, gardenias, and privets marry the year-round tang of rosemary and salted air in a heady fragrance.
Simply sitting outside on my bench and savoring the aroma is one of my favorite pastimes. With each breath, I can’t help but sense every plant is singing a chorus of praise to their Creator. The psalmist cries, “All the earth will worship You and sing praise to You. They will sing praise to Your name” Psalm 66:4 (HCSB). Isaiah proclaims that mountains and hills can burst into song and trees can clap their hands, 55:12. And as I walk in my neighborhood on a stunning spring day, I can almost hear every member of nature’s choir.
But what about we humans? Like nature’s aromas, our praise is a sweet fragrance to God. But are we so equally ready to burst into praise for the name of the Lord? Or does busyness put off our participation? Do life’s trials silence our song?
The old adage to “stop and smell the roses” in this sense isn’t just a reminder to pause and appreciate what is right in front of us. It can also be seen as a prompt to savor the flowers’ constant praise to their Creator and encourage us to join their song, no matter our current life circumstances.
Because even during times of busyness, pain, or hardship, we should praise God. James says, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy” James 1:2 (NLT). By following nature’s example praising God when we not only don’t feel like it or when we can’t see an end to our problems, we are offering the purest example of a sacrifice of praise as described in Hebrews 13:15. And these praises can be the sweetest of fragrances to our Maker.
Even if your area of the country is still covered in ice or snow, there is still the promise of spring and the opportunity to savor its delights. But until the promise becomes a reality, please take a moment to stop and look at God’s creation and sing your own praises to him for his marvelous works.
Question: When was the last time you simply stopped and praised God for his creation? What is your favorite way to appreciate God in nature?
