The senses…
One of God’s greatest gifts to mankind. Sight, touch, smell, hearing, tasting–we are equipped with delightful means of experiencing the world around us.
And our senses serve an even deeper purpose; one often underestimated.
We all know that phenomenon of how a certain smell can instantly transport us back to a certain memory of the past; or how the change in season can have a powerful effect on our moods, depending on memories of previous seasons.
Why did God do that? And how does this amazing “sense-ation” affect our attitude toward home?
I’m “sensing” these days (sorry guys–I love puns) just how important the small elements of home are in making a family and raising children.
As mothers, we need to be capitalizing on the miracle of the senses in our homes.
If nothing else, just the awareness of the fact that when I do something as simple as bake a pie, I alert the senses of those present, make a permanent memory connection, and strengthen the bonds of our family.
See, homemaking is so misunderstood. So many women have lost sight of all the little things that make home wonderful, binding hearts, and beckoning those children back once they are grown. That’s what the “art” of homemaking is about.
God has given us such power in the simplest things. Don’t look too hard for the spectacular events; cathedrals are built one small stone at a time!
- Light candles.
- Keep wild flower arrangements, if available, around the house.
- Play music.
- Bake things–pies, cookies, bread, etc.
- Use garlic, onions and herbs in your meals.
- Make time to create and savor special moments…brew some mint tea and enjoy it mid-day with your children. It doesn’t have to be extravagant!
- Savor the small things in life…those are the memory-makers!
What are your ideas?
4 comments
*folding the laundry: a needed chore, yet how wonderful to inhale the clean freshness – point it out to your child as you instruct them on how to fold the towels…
*the kids help me make coffee in the morning: from the grinding of the beans, to the brewing, to the mixing of flavored creamers – they love it!
*bring the outside in, when possible: flowers, leaves, acorns, seeds, etc. Figure ways to decorate and add touches with the seasons. Remind them of God’s goodness and how much He must love us!
~There’s more, but I gotta run~
Lori
I always try to bake something; bread, coffee cake, muffins, cake, anything that gives off an appealing aroma, for special days. But always the same thing on that special day. My mother taught me that, thanks mom. When I go to her house and smell a certain coffee cake, it takes me right to Christmas. That is what Christmas smells like.
I want my children to be able to say “Ah, it smells like my birthday!” or “This reminds me of Caleb, mom always made this on his birthday” etc.
Rachel
As I was gardening with my daughter this morning and we were trimming back the mint plants the entire back yard filled with the wonderful fresh scent of mint. I wonder if someday the same smell will remind her of gardening with her mommy.
I can only hope!
Kelly
[…] Use your sense (scents). […]