Your Five Senses in a Garden

April 9, 2008

Dear Friend,

The other day I was with my wife in a friend’s garden. The smells were many and diverse as we walked around. There was a large citrus tree that was in full bloom, and that was the most pervading smell. But there were many little flowers, and several other trees were in bloom. And the flowering plants, trees, and bushes were not only fragrant but also very beautiful. We heard several bees buzzing around doing their important job of collecting pollen to be made into honey and, in the process, pollinating the plants. A hummingbird was sitting on a nearby tree, singing away. There were some ripe oranges we picked, along with some other produce. And then something dawned on me that I had never thought of before. A garden is a unique place where we have an experience for all five of our senses. Hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch; all five are pleasantly stimulated in the garden setting.

I heard a man once comment that the reason television with a bag of potato chips is so addicting is that it tickles all five of the senses. I thought that was pretty interesting. But now I think I see one of the reasons God created a garden for the first man and his wife at the beginning. He knew that the garden would provide the stimulation they needed for all their senses. The more I look around us at creation and see the diversity, the more I believe in a loving and thoughtful Creator who designed all that we see and experience. 

I read a great definition of justice, grace, and mercy the other day. This is really profound, so you might want to read it over a few times:

Justice – getting what I deserve
Grace – getting what I don’t deserve
Mercy – not getting what I deserve

Pretty deep, huh? So the next time you’re out enjoying the beauty of God’s nature, enjoying the many different tastes, sounds, and smells, I hope you take a moment to think of the One who provided it all.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
—Hebrews 4:16

Have an awesome day with God!