~ savoring treats with my favorite people ~
For the first time in my life, I lost my sense of smell and taste.
It was the strangest thing not to be able to taste my morning coffee and bacon, or smell my children’s heads. At one point I tried to eat a banana, one of my favorite foods, only to be disgusted because apparently no taste and all texture makes bananas unbearable.
Food became pleasureless. I had no desire to eat anymore, except for the pure necessity of surviving. The silver lining, of course, was that since I couldn’t taste, I didn’t overeat, and I could drink green tea without any sugar or honey, and that has to be healthy. I even lost a few pounds.
Through my experience, I realized that food is not a gift. The taste of food is the gift, and the pleasure we receive from it.
If food had no taste, there would be no gluttony, no unhealthy bodies, and no eating issues. But there also wouldn’t be feasting and pleasure and the experience of mixing the variety of flavors to create something exquisite for the palate.
God did not have to make food taste good, but He did. Why? Pleasure.
“Taste and see that the LORD is good.” {Psalm 34:8}
He thought up all the colors and spices and seasonings and interesting flavors because He knew in them we would experience pleasure.
God delights in our pleasure.
But what if the pleasure goes away? What if we lose our sense of taste or touch or sight or sound or smell? How can we “taste and see” that He is good?
When I lost my sense of smell and taste, I realized just how much I rely on food to get me through my day. When I’m bored, I eat. When I’m overwhelmed, I eat. When I want to procrastinate, I eat. When I want to lose weight, I can’t stop eating. Food and the pleasure of it sometimes captures me. I am a slave to it. But the minute I lost the ability for pleasure is the minute it ceased having power over me. Isn’t that interesting?
And yet, God doesn’t take away our pleasure. Pleasure is worth the risk.
God knew the risk that we might long more for the pleasure than for Him. We see this every day. I see this in my own life. But when the pleasure of food disappeared, when eating felt meaningless, I saw God’s heart. I saw His kindness with fresh eyes. I saw His delight in my pleasure. And I saw that even though I have put pleasure before Him in a thousand ways, He is still with me, waiting for me to take pleasure in Him. The Father, the Giver of it all.
Whether I can taste or smell or see or any of it, I always have Him.
He never leaves me or forsakes me. He delights in me, His daughter, and nothing can take that away.
Thankfully, I can smell and taste again. One minute it was gone, and the next it was back.
I nuzzled into my daughters’ hair and I thanked God that I could smell her again. When I drank my coffee I thanked God for its richness. When I could eat, I thanked God for the delight of flavor.
Maybe today, when you take that first sip of coffee, or you bite into your morning eggs, or you indulge in a piece of dark chocolate, you will close your eyes and be a little more aware of the taste, and thank God for the gift of pleasure.
Love, Sarah Mae
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Baby Mama says
I love the smell of my daughter’s hair! It is one of the most precious smells a mom can experience. How beautiful!
Sarah Mae says
Thank you, and I KNOW! I couldn’t stand not smelling it!
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Sarah Mae,
Reading your post, I am convicted of the fact that often I long more for the pleasure than I long for Him (especially true about food). What a lesson in love God gave you…what an awakening to truly seeing the lengths God goes to in order to delight us. What a great perspective to start my day, and yes, my coffee does taste richer this morning. Thanking God for that gift!
Blessings,
Bev
Sarah Mae says
It is SO easy to put pleasure before Him…I didn’t realized just how much I did that. He is so kind to give us pleasure. I am so glad your coffee was richer today!
Shannon K. Wheeler says
That must have been such a hard experience, especially the sentimental smells like your childrens’ hair! This post resonates with me because I lost a significant amount of my eyesight suddenly this fall. It lasted for about 3 months, and I felt such grief. But God is good, even in hard times, and you’re right that he still shows his goodness to us in new ways in those moments.
Sarah Mae says
I could stand not having smell or taste with food, but losing my children’s smell, I don’t know, that would be the hardest. I’m so glad your eyesight is back, that’s crazy!
Deena Marie says
I miss the smell of my girls’ heads. Empty nester here. Enjoy every day while they are young. I will remember your post when I enjoy my banana today and read His word.
Sarah Mae says
I will! Thank you!
Wendy says
Interestingly I have a doctors appointment later this morning for a sudden loss of sensation and strength in my dominant right hand and arm. This is definitely tempting me to be discouraged and fearful since I am the pianist/pastor’s wife for our small church, as well as an artsy-crafty kind of gal. As I read this post is morning, I was especially encouraged and reminded that all I am and All I have is given for His glory and pleasure. He is certainly able to restore my body, but even if He doesn’t, I will not bow down to the idol of discouragement or fear. In fact, I can keep my eyes on Him (instead of my feeble hand) and rejoice in the good plan He has ahead. It looks different than I expected at this moment, but He is always good and will bring good from this situation. Praising Him now with open hands, when I am weak…He is strong! Thank you for this timely message to my soul!
Sarah Mae says
I am so glad it was timely for you! And remember, He is glorified when we enjoy pleasure. CRAZY. And beautiful and wonderful.
Kristin says
This is so good Sarah and something I really needed to read today as I struggle to eat in the very restricted way my doctor has asked me to for now. Thanks for sharing your story
Sarah Mae says
I am so sorry you have to go through that, but I’m thankful this post encouraged you, friend!
Martha says
Sarah did you ever find out why?? I’ve been feeling like i’ve lost my sense of taste since my last baby was born (4 months).. Not sure what would cause that?
Sarah Mae says
Sinus infection! But as for your situation, I would talk to a doctor. 🙂
sarahcoleman says
I never thought of this before but you are so right. God created taste and smell for our pleasure. He wants us to feel pleasure. I’ll be meditating on this thought.
Inspired Life says
Sarah,
As I began reading what immediately came to mind was Phil 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. While He gives us the ability to experience pleasure, He is also at work in us for his pleasure. You’ve given wise counsel in encouraging us to slow down, embrace THIS moment, taste and savor. Indeed He is good!
Sarah Mae says
YES! So good.
Beth Williams says
Great perspective! Often times I take my senses for granted. Thinking about all the wonderful aromas, & colors God provides for us. He does delight in us and we should acknowledge Him! I won’t think of food or see mountains, colors, etc. without thinking of Him!
Blessings 🙂
Sarah Mae says
It is SO easy to take so many things for granted! I am trying, TRYING, to see Him and His kindness in all of it.
Rébecca says
I have a friend who has lost her sens of smell, and through that most of her taste (did you know that our taste buds can actually only taste sweet, salty, sour, but no flavors ! our sens of smell is what gives flavor to our taste !). She has some pretty serious nose/ears/sinus issues and has had multiple surgeries to no avail. She never complains about it though, but I feel bad for her… it truly is a handicap (she cannot tell for example, when food is rotten, cannot smell smoke…). So yes, being able to taste and smell truly is a gift, not only for our pleasure, but also for our safety.
Faith says
You said “I realized that food is not a gift.” It seems you never experienced hunger and maybe you didn’t expect any of your readers to have experienced it. For people not knowing where their next meal will come from, food is really a gift, whatever taste it will have and the pleasure will always come first from having their belly full. With every thanksgiving, may we remember those people in need.