“In the aftermath of Gethsemane, we catch the fragrance of Eden”
Alister E. McGrath
excerpt from In Light of Victory
(the beginning of the hydrangea / Julie Cook / 2016)
Not all things that bloom have a scent…
And some blooming plants and flowers actually have a repugnant smell.
Yet I think we may safely surmise that Eden, the birth place of all gardens, had what can only be imagined to be the most heavenly of scents.
An endless cascading array of flowers and blooms, given by the Creator to the created…
All to be savored and enjoyed…
Just as a Lover would shower his beloved with abundant bouquets of beautiful flowers…
equal only to the beauty of the one who holds his affections…so God bestowed upon man…
Yet the story does not end with the gift of the fragrant bouquet…
“Jesus was betrayed within the garden of Gethsemane, in order to undo the disobedience of human nature within the garden of Eden.
Alister E. McGrath
In Light of Victory
How appropriate that as it was a garden, which was the scene of the greatest blow to humankind, should in turn be the scene to the beginning of the greatest act of Love ever extended to humankind.
And so…
He comes once again…
bringing you the fragrant scent of the saving grace of Love Divine…
For we are a fragrance of Christ to God
among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing
2 Corinthians 2:15
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
Just catching up on your posts now Julie after three days working in Madeira (I know – life is hard!) and staying in a hotel that only had WiFi in the lobby area.
Yes, so it seems, life is hard 😉
Enjoyed any sherry did you…eh???
I enjoyed a lot of things! Great fish one evening, great meat the next. So good local wines and a glass of Madeira as a digestif at the end of the meals. Haven’t been there before. Blog post imminent – never seen anything like it for greenery everywhere despite the gradients!
sounds most splendid—never been either, nor to Spain. Need to add it to the proverbial bucket list 🙂
You certainly need to visit Julie. What a place. There were quite a few Americans in the fish restaurant so I am guessing you can fly there from the US. The airport is quite something too! But since they extended the runway I am told that aircraft no longer fall into the sea.
Hydrangeas are my favorite flowers. Your post brings God’s love into the garden, right where it all began.
Ok, I just unfollowed you and immediately reflowed—I’m going to see if that fixes the missing reader posts—if it does I’ll tell Melissa to try the same thing
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Got me thinkin.
First the upper room, then Gethsemane (the oil press), then the cold fire of Peter, then the mock trials, then Pilate, then Judas, then via dolorasa, then Calvary….and each step closer was one more hidden petal of fragrance yet to be appreciated.
Hard to imagine eh Jewels the ‘sweet smelling savor’ of ‘it is finished.’ Lilies of the valley are rather sweet yes? Love the garden analogy.
sounds like a future post in ruminating inside your head 🙂
Keep your fragrance my friend; it was purchased at great cost. And you are being attacked by a force that would take it from you. Hold fast as did the Christ! Love and hugs, N 🙂 ❤