The scent of lilacs draws me back in thoughts

to a  lovely park in upstate New York.

After the cold, seemingly endless winter,

springtime was always welcomed with joy.

And the row of lilac bushes lining the street

was magnificent

to me as a young girl.

Then again I remember summers when we vacationed inMaine.

The lilacs would oftentimes be blooming

and I’d drink  in their fragrance.

For years I’d drive around our community,

knowing exactly where the lilac bushes were.

I’d get out of my car, walk over to the bush if it was close to the road,

and drink in their beauty.

Once in a while I’d find a lilac bush where I could snip just a bloom

and bring it home with me.

I’d place it on the table in a vase with water

and for the next few hours I’d enjoy the sweet fragrance.

One little bloom would fill the whole room with fragrance.

One little bloom.

Yes, lilacs are beautiful. No doubt about it.

But so are you

and you

and you.

Our Father tends each one with care.

Sometimes pruning here and replanted there

but all so that we will grow even more beautiful,

more fragrant in our world.

Lilacs remind me of precious souls

that need special care. And the sacrifice of the One Who holds my heart.

Yes, the offering of Jesus on the cross

when He laid aside His glory and stepped down from His throne saying,

“I delight to do Thy will, O my God,”

It was as sweet to God as the fragrance of lilacs to us.

How true it is that our consecration to God is also fragrant and precious.

When we offer ourselves to Him

not holding anything back

His heart is glad

And it becomes a sweet smelling offering.

My life

an offering to Him.