Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Aroma of Grace

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We’re back on Highway 2, the same road I’ve taken to the city and home for seventeen years.  This time more than a quick trip to the city, we’ve crossed several state lines and driven a dozen hours to get back to the familiar.  Back to the rolling hills laden with ripening wheat.  The red barns.  The roads named after farmers long gone, whose land still feeds and clothes their sons and grandsons. 

Though they mark our nearness to home, I hardly give them thought.  Hardly realize that I’m watching for Zeimer Road, now that we’ve passed Janett Road.  I’m so fixed on getting out of the car, that I don’t really appreciate it all. 

And then slowly my subconscious wakes up and I notice.  It smells like home.  I take a deep breath of the earthy, late summer smell.  The smell of wheat turning to gold.  The smell of land well loved.

I look over to my husband, weary chauffer, “You smell that?” I ask.  “Smells like home.”  He nods that it does.  I smile.  Home.  I hardly know a word as pleasing. 

But before we know it we’re pulling in to the garage and unloading suitcases and  I’m doing laundry and feeding souls and life is back to it’s normal rhythm.

That is, until the next time I’m on my way home from the city.   This time I’m alone, lost in my thoughts.  I pass the Grange Hall where the straight as an arrow road finally bends. 

Not a mile later, I smell it again.  The familiar.  The smell of home.  I smile and think how much I love this place. 

Then I realize, it’s ten miles sooner that I drink it in today.  And I wonder, was I really so oblivious a few days earlier?  Why hadn’t I noticed?  Had it really taken my subconscious ten miles to wake me up?   I’m vaguely bothered by the inclination. 

My discomfort grows.  I’m face to face with the fact that too often I sleep with my eyes open, blind to the glorious beauty of the mundane.  Deaf to the miraculous melodies in the familiar.  And worst of all, oblivious to the aroma of grace.  I journey miles and miles without breathing it sweet. 

And I know then, that just like the smell of home lingered in the air for ten miles before I finally woke up to it, His grace is all around me, abounding.  It’s always there, even when all I breathe is the stale car air of the mundane. 

The smell of grace hangs in the air, waiting to nourish, comfort and thrill.  His blessings abound.  And I, for one, never want to return to shallow breathing but instead daily partake of the wondrous aroma of grace.  

Continuing the count:

1229.  Sitting through an entire sermon

1273.  Waves crashing, hearts talking

1301. The smell of home

1311.  A year without any major health crises

1312.  Baby girl on the way! 

1324.  Those who encouraged me to start writing again

1352.  Sons reading Frog & Toad

1355.  Pink and purple sunrises

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7 comments:

Karen said...

our hearts are connected by HIS grace ~ we can't wait to return home from a trip and step in the back door and my youngest and I always say "smells like home"!!!
Mundane=Monumental
You are encouraging me, my friend!

WingAbouts said...

Just found your blog through the "Next Blog" button. I love how many times I have been blessed by that quirky little invention! I just want to say that I've struggled at times to find my writer's voice. Sometimes the words are cut too deep and I feel like I can't share them, but eventually the Lord brings me His peace and His perspective and then the ink begins to flow again. It takes time, but it happens. May He continue to bless you and your writing efforts this year.

Ashley L said...

What a beautiful post and encouragement to me today. Thank you! I am so happy that you're back to writing/blogging, however often God leads you to do it.

Anonymous said...

Beautifully shared. I loved that I could picture your journey because I have been there in your home. You nourish my soul, dear friend.

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful blog. Inspiring and rich. Many blessings~

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Such a beautiful post. I had no idea you were such an eloquent writer!

For Esme with love and squalor said...

New to blogging and checking some out. This was beautiful and at any age in life you always know what home smells like. I so appreciated your post!

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