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The Smell of Hope


There is this crazy little part of my morning routine that I love!  Although I'm a little fanatical about making the bed each day, I've read that it is good to air the sheets out instead of immediately making it up. So, each morning when I get up, I pull the covers back and let them air out while I have me coffee and Jesus time.  

Later, upon entering the bedroom, the air is sometimes just stale. I drop some essential oils in the diffuser and let it run for a few minutes.  While making the bed, the aroma of the oils brings freshness to the entire room.  The oils remove the staleness and give the entire room  a brand new fresh quality. A freshly made bed and great smelling room get the day off to a great start!

One of my favorite oils is a synergy blend called "Hope".   A simple definition for “synergy” as used in aromatherapy is the working together of two essential oils that result in an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. More powerful therapeutic results are often obtained when essential oils are blended together than when used individually.

Easter is just around the corner and one way to prepare our hearts for Easter is to read the biblical accounts leading up to the resurrection of Jesus. Today, in Romans 5, the foundation of love is found.  A love that Jesus had for us even while we were sinners and had no desire to know Him. 
"For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.." Romans 5:5-8

The Easter celebration begins with the cross.  There was pain, suffering, anguish that led to redemption and forgiveness.  But it was love that compelled the sacrifice.  Love for us when we were  deep in sin and did not have a single thought of God.  When the heart of a Christian is awakened by that love, grace pours in and heals, mends and makes us whole.  Love begats love.  Like the oil in my diffuser, love changes the air we breathe.  It makes all things new, our thoughts, words and actions. 

This week, may we take time to reflect and remember the love that began it all...the love of God for us.  
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