Birdsong echoes through the rustle of the leaves as the hillsides awaken in unspoken praise to the One who called each one into being.

 

Late spring mornings in middle Tennessee can quickly become a sultry afternoon so a morning walk provides the backdrop for listening, reflecting, and observing. Together these provide the fertile soil for praise to join with the birdsong.

 

It can be so easy to jump into a day with the many lists that demand my attention once I have taken time to stop by my favorite red chair to have my devotions. In this life, many if not most of our days will be like that, but on some days I have dessert at the end of my devotional time.

 

I call it dessert time because it comes at the end of being fed in the Word. Dessert can be skipped, but when I can choose to take just a bit more time alone to be in His creation all my senses are refreshed.

 

Recently, I had such a morning in Tennessee that allowed me to take a walk to Whistler’s Cove accompanied by the lyrics of birds unknown to me that released my thoughts and left them floating heavenward. So many different songs!

 

 

How the Lord must delight in the variety of music sent heavenward to Him! When I consider His creation of so many birds to serenade Him as well as each of us if we take time to listen, I cannot help but be filled with wonder at such a God!

 

How He must rejoice when our voices soar upward no matter what the rhythm or time signature! Music surely is one of His best gifts!

 

On this walk, the scent of honeysuckle blossoms met me here and there along the path I took. How many fragrances He has created for His pleasure and ours! Even we are a fragrance to Him!

 

 

In 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 Paul writes:

 

“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.”

 

 

So, when I have spent time with Him, His fragrance spills out on me and as I share Him in my day in whatever way He leads, that same fragrance can extend to others.

 

How I desire that such a life-giving fragrance grace my life!

 

On such a Tennessee morning as I walk along the path taking in all the fragrance of Him, the sights of His creation, and the sounds of His music, I feel immersed in His fragrance as it washes over me.

 

Such times of sweetness and gentleness in His presence do so much to draw me into His arms and treasure the truth that I am His child, His daughter, loved everlastingly.

 

Please, take time for dessert!

 

 

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!”

                                             Psalm 34:8