The delicate sweet fragrance of the
first springtime wild rose, the luscious scents of Lilly of the Valley,
an orange orchard in full blossom, Jasmine, Gardenia, or of one of the
wonderfully fragrant flowers of the tropical isles. The smell
of pine, eucalyptus, or camphor. The aroma of baking
bread. The fresh smell of a newly mown lawn or perhaps a
field of newly cut hay. The wonderful damp smell of a forest
floor after rain. The inviting, hug inducing fragrance of a
tiny baby all fresh and clean after its bath. These are all
extras. They didn't have to be, but God created multitudinous
fragrances, aromas, scents, and smells for our enjoyment and, of
course, the sense of smell to enjoy them.
The lyrical birdsong of early
spring. Wind in pine, cedar, and fir. A
gurgling brook. Autumnal leaves scattering from our
footsteps. The roar of water hurtling from ledge to pool
below.. The lap-lap at lake edge or crashing of ocean waves
over boulder strewn shores. The crunch of new-fallen snow
beneath our boots. The laughter of children at
play. The tiny mew of a new born kitten. And the
sound of music -- the wonderful sounds of music -- from the piercing
shrillness of a penny-whistle to the mellow tones of a flute's bottom
notes; from a trumpet's spine tingling high notes to the lilt
of a little girl's voice singing her favorite childhood song.
Then there are the exciting sounds of a large number of voices joined
together in great chorus, or the wonderful blend of many instruments
and voices in full symphony. And most exciting of all --
instruments of music and the voices of God's people -- united in
worship -- singing high praise to their Creator Redeemer. God
could have made us without ears or any other way of hearing, but He
didn't. God could have given us the ability to hear but all
sounds could have been unpleasant. That's not the case
either. Instead God chose to bless us with wonderful and
beautiful sounds to enrich our existence. These are extras.
The cold
slipperiness of an icicle. The sleekness of silk, the warm
smoothness of newly sanded mahogany. Cool grass beneath bare
feet. The solid grasp of the right tool for the
job. The instant wetness as you dive into the swimming
hole. The warm and wonderful feel of an embrace for and from
someone you love. What if God had not given us the sense of
touch? But God wanted us to have a rich experience of
temperature and texture. He wanted us to enjoy the touch and
feel of our loved ones. More extras we take so for granted.
Steaks could have been
tasteless -- herbs and spices non-existent -- salt, the various
peppers, onions, garlic and capers we so count on to add flavor to our
food could have been bland nothings. Consider all
the varieties of delicious fruits and berries. When you think
of all the tastes we can experience, the mind boggles. These
are extras. It didn't have to be this way. We could
have been sustained by just one food or they could have all been
tasteless, but God did not want our existence to be hum-drum.
He wanted it to be full and rich -- abundant. He is, after
all, a loving Father.
Gazing at the shimmering
yellows of September Aspen. Seeing our closest loved ones
emerge from a jetway. Transfixed by a moon rising over lake
or sea with its train of light glistening on the waves. Awed
by the immensity of the star studded sky on a moonless desert
night. Watching a parade of waves hurling themselves one by
one at lands-edge. Seeing a dog scamper after, then catch and
fetch a stick. Mesmerized by fluffy flakes of snow tumbling
slowly down. Enjoying the myriad colors -- sometimes of
blazing intensity -- of floral islands in an archipelago garden or the
many hues of spring wildflowers briefly lending their rich color
diversity to entire hills or mountainsides. Wondering at the
magnificent complexity of a single Passion Flower or orchid
blossom. Then there are the clouds: deep roiling black ones,
puffy cottonball ones, and the wispy featherlike ones.
Consider, too, the Aurora Borealis, Aurora Australis, and fleeting
rainbows in all their glory. We could have been made
sightless, but we weren't. We could have seen in black and
white. But God chose to give us more. And God
created so much for us to see -- so much to enjoy -- so much for which
to praise Him.
We are mobile -- we can move
about our homes, our yards, our towns, our countries, around the globe
and even to the moon. God could have given us roots as He did
the trees, but He didn't. Mobility is a wonderful
extra. God wanted us to experience His creation and give him
the glory for it's incredible diversity and beauty.
There is so much "extra
stuff," that didn't have to be -- more benefits from God to remember
and consider, and most importantly, to give Him the praise and glory He
well deserves for them! |
