The Fragrant Mimosa Blossoms

Step out the door of Mother’s farm home during early summer and an aromatic fragrance inundates one’s senses. The sweet smell of the feathery pink blossoms wafts to either the front or back door. A heavy dew or a light summer rain causes the blossoms to perfume the air even more profusely.

Close-up of Some of the Mimosa Blossoms in Mother's Front Yard

So often upon sniffing the mimosa’s blossoms’ scent that rivals the glorious fragrance of the roses planted by Grandma, I recall this verse that God inspired the Apostle Paul to write to the Ephesian Christians.

Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2

Throughout the Old Testament, a sacrifice given with a heartfelt attitude of worship and obedience is described a “sweet smelling” to the God of heaven. The personal offering of Himself made Jesus’s death as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins the only acceptable payment or ransom of salvation for humans. 

Yet not all embrace the fragrance of redemption purchased with the blood of Jesus. Paul explained this opposing view in his letter to the Corinthian church.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. I Corinthians 1:18

When Alicia Roach served as my father's last nurse for several months, caring for him until his death, she commented about the mimosa trees blooming. They reminded her of loved ones. She could hardly believe her love of the beauty and fragrance of the mimosa tree were not shared by the nursery personnel when she inquired about a mimosa tree. 

Paul warned of the attitude of the unbeliever toward cross as foolishly worthless. Alicia was appalled her love of the mimosa was not held by some trained horticulturalists. Yet those with a daily relationship with Jesus need not be surprised when scoffers and scorners categorize the sacrifice of Christ as a foolish myth for the weak and undereducated.

But our power to live and thrive traces directly to our relationship with a Savior who experienced ridicule, pain and death for us. Even the breath-taking scent of the mimosa trees in front of Mother’s home cannot compare with the life-giving aroma of freedom from the penalty of sin and the liberty to live the abundant life that God ordained for His children. May we breathe deeply of the fragrance of the sweet Holy Spirit residing within us, sensing His continual guidance and comfort, and sharing sweetness of Him with others.