What does Father’s Day smell like to you? Okay, I know that’s a weird question. More to the point, do certain smells remind you of your father?
The Smell of Lumber
The smell of lumber, mixed with a little sweat, well, probably a lot of sweat, always conjures memories of my father.
Daddy was a builder, and it wasn’t unusual to ride with him in his station wagon with several 2×4’s balanced on the dash between us and hanging out the back window.
Before I was school age, Daddy often came home for lunch. He always made time to come in my playhouse, the one he built for me, and let me serve him a slice of mud pie and a cup of coffee. He’d tip up the tiny cup, pinkie elevated, and slurp the pretend coffee; then umm over a bite of mud pie.
Afterwards, I’d beg him to “swing me,” which meant pushing me so high on a swing that he had space to run underneath.
Memories of Daddy are sweet and tender, and the smell of lumber always sends me spiraling back, with gratitude, for the gift of a good father.
The Smell of Coffee
Daddy was up early every morning, the smell of coffee and toast and the sound of the radio coming from the kitchen. As a teen, by the time I dragged myself to the kitchen, Daddy was on his second cup. On cold winter mornings, my first sight on entering the warm kitchen was Daddy, hands folded and head bowed over his open Bible.
His example of spending time with God early each morning made an impression on me. I wanted to do the same, and I have. Daddy’s faith influenced me to cultivate my own relationship with my Heavenly Father.
Daddy’s faith influenced me to cultivate my own relationship with my Heavenly Father.
The Smell of Rock Salt
Daddy was a homemade ice cream connoisseur. At Neely picnics, everyone lined up in front of Daddy’s churn because they knew it contained Uncle B’s chocolate ice cream.
He made delicious vanilla ice cream, too, Mama’s favorite. Many summer afternoons, Daddy smelled of rock salt as he faithfully tended the churn until it slowed and stopped. Then, he passed out ice cream in red plastic cups to everyone around the pool.
The Smell of Faith
Many times, during the last few minutes of a TV program, Daddy would go to the kitchen, come back with his Bible, flip the TV off, and announce, “We’re going to read the Bible.” Afterwards, we knelt beside our chairs, or the sofa, to pray.
Although there wasn’t actual smell of Daddy’s faith, his example permeated my life. The smell was the smell of home, a place of love, laughter, and faith that wafted over me every time I entered the house.
So many times, that bedrock of faith has sustained me and enabled me to maintain forward motion during life’s hardest seasons.
Maybe memories of your father are not cherished. Perhaps the smells, sounds, and sights are anything but pleasant. Maybe your vision of faith, and God, is tainted by your relationship, or the lack thereof, with your earthly father. If so, give God a chance to prove His love, forgiveness, and faithfulness to you this Father’s Day week. I promise the relationship will be worthwhile.
“As far as God is concerned there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, an aroma to both the saved and the unsaved all around us” (2 Corinthians 2:15 LB).
“He [God] is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who reverence him” (Psalm 103:13 LB).
“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance” (Psalm 16:6 CSB).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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