SUMMERY SCENTS

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 207

About a week ago (I think), we crossed the Rubicon on the calendar, officially welcoming us to summer — well, those of us who make our home in the northern hemisphere, that is. And being summer, and all, sometimes you just gotta proverbially, and literally, stop and smell the roses.

This afternoon, I stepped out the front door of the church to go visit a sweet old friend. Just out the door stands a mature yellow honeysuckle tree. At least that’s what I think it is??? Anyway, whatever the phylum, this majestic plant stands adjacent to our worship facility, providing a home to the birds and shade to those who walk underneath.

Well, as I passed underneath its towering canopy, my sniffer caught the sweet scent from its thousands of yellow flowers, the smells of which have traveled on the winds, inviting the local honeybees to harvest its pollen. As I strolled beneath, two giant bees crossed my path, and that’s when I heard it: the roaring buzz of the swarm. Somewhere “up there” within the branches of the honeysuckle were countless critters feasting on pollen, adding to the cycle of nature that’s so badly needed.

While I quickly moved out from under the tree, so as not to disturb those busy little bees, I took a deep whiff, just to take in the flower’s sweetness.

You know, whether it’s fresh flowers or a soft, summer rain, those refreshing scents remind me of the elegance of God’s creation, and how Christ upholds and sustains all things.

It seems like I’m on a nature kick these last couple of days, but ya know, that’s okay. Stunning skies; pure and invigorating rains; the sweet succulence of honeysuckle — for all these stunning summery scents, I thank the Lord.

What aspects of summer are you most thankful for today?