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 make 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 had to be healthy. I even lost a few pounds.
Through my experience, I realized that food is not a gift. The taste of food and the pleasure we receive from it are the gifts.
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 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 (NIV)
He thought up all the colors and spices and seasonings and interesting flavors because He knew we would experience pleasure in them; 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 relied on food to get me through my day. When I was bored, I’d eat. When I was overwhelmed, I’d eat. When I wanted to procrastinate, I’d eat. When I wanted to lose weight, I couldn’t stop eating. Food and the pleasure of it captured me. I was a slave to it. But the minute I lost the ability to taste and smell, it ceased having power over me.
And yet, God doesn’t take away our pleasure. He knew the risk that we might long more for pleasure than for Him. We see this every day. I see this in my own life. But when my ability to taste and smell disappeared and eating felt meaningless, I saw God’s heart. I saw His kindness with fresh eyes. I saw His delight in my pleasure, that even though I have put pleasure before Him in a thousand ways, He was still with me, waiting for me to be satisfied in Him, the Father and the Giver of it all.
Whether I can taste or smell or see 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 ate and tasted my food, 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, close your eyes, be more aware of the taste, and thank God for the gift of pleasure.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Sarah Mae,
Oh how I can relate to your post. Post surgery anesthesia effects left me without the ability to smell or taste….it was awful. I remember crying because I couldn’t sense the mellow chocolate notes in my coffee. There was no pleasure in eating. Periods of depression have robbed me of the ability to take joy in my children’s laughter or to be amazed by a gorgeous sunrise. I believe, along with you, that this is not God’s plan for our lives. He gave us senses so we could touch, taste, and see His awesome creation around us. He gave us emotions so we could grieve, but also that we could have joy and pleasure. Take a look at the intricacies of a flower or the expanse of the snow capped mountains – all here for our good pleasure. Every day is a chance to taste and see that He is good. Thanking God, with you, for every aromatic sip of my coffee this morning. Amen! Awesome post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Lynn Koukal says
Thanks for defining the simple pleasures God gives good gifts to his children
Lynn Koukal says
I am amazed how He takes pleasure in us, how He delights in us
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Lynn,
Sometimes it simply blows me away….may you find hidden pleasures today 🙂
Bev xx
Sarah Mae says
Thank you Bev, and thank you for always being such a woman of faithful encouragement.
Michele Morin says
I’ve often thought of the many ways in which God just seems to take riotous levels of pleasure in His creation. He could have just made a species called “bird” in one color and one design, but instead he created all the variety and unrestrained beauty of bird life that, even here in the northern hemisphere, catches my breath. It’s the same with trees, insects–amazing!
I hadn’t ever thought about this aspect of food, but I love your point that He was willing to risk obesity and eating disorders just to bless us with the ability to enjoy one of His many gifts!
Kathy Cheek, Devotions from the Heart says
Sarah Mae,
I walked into the grocery store yesterday and the scent of summer peaches hung in the air followed by the fragrant strawberries nearby and I thought some of your same thoughts, that God intended us to delight in what He has made. I am also someone who takes great delight in nature and God’s masterful work on display in a garden of flowers I have planted or a field of wildflowers. I think God would want us to stop and smell the coffee, or the roses, or the peaches!
Lara says
WOW! Sarah Mae, what a beautiful post! Before I opened my email, I took a happy sip of my coffee while listening to the rain and thunder outside if my window. I thanked The Lord for this pleasure, and then I opened your devotion. Your words have inspired me to praise God for His many gifts!
Time for a second cup! 🙂
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!
Joy in Jesus,
Lara <
Sarah Mae says
There’s always time for a second cup. 😉
Courtney says
Excellent post!
Diana Spalding says
What a beautiful post and comments to follow. I want to be friends with all of you ladies that share my same heart!! Yes – our God takes delight in what pleases us because He truly loves us with a perfect love. Thank you!
Taylor says
Great post, Sarah. I just went through a period where I had to get used to a new medication and was very sick for a couple months and could barely eat. I missed food so badly! It is such a blessing to enjoy it. I am thanking him daily to be enjoying it again now.
Taylor Arthur says
Great post, Sarah. I just went through a period where I had to get used to a new medication and was very sick for a couple months and could barely eat. I missed food so badly! It is such a blessing to enjoy it. I am thanking him daily to be enjoying it again now.
Gina says
Awesome post Sarah Mae!
Penny says
What a beautiful perspective Sara Mae, thank-you for sharing it. When I first wake up, even before my coffee, I like to have a glass of freshly squeezed lemon water. I will now be even more grateful to God, that because of Him, I can.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Cary says
Reading this piece of interesting article regarding the loss of senses is beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Thank goodness it was only temporary. Is there any one in this In Courage community who is deaf or has a profound hearing loss who likes to share their writing here into this wonderful website? Or does anyone know if there are any deaf/hard of hearing believers out there who has a blog because I have not found one yet…? Thank you.
Sarah Mae says
Cary, that is such a good question! My husband is actually partially-deaf and he used to write a blog. Here are his archives : http://jessehoover.com/
I’ll keep my eye out!
Brenda says
Awe, Sarah Mae, this made me teary. I’ve never considered this particular angle — of God knowing we’re prone to putting things before Him at times, yet He gives them anyway, and delights in our pleasure. He is such a sweet, sweet Lord. ♥ ♥
Cary says
A great post and thanks for sharing. Good news was that it was just temporary! Would like to know if there are any believers who are deaf/hard of hearing (profound hearing loss) in this wonderful community of In Courage, bloggers or writers? Thank you.
Rebecca Jones says
I read a bout a man who got his sense of smell back miraculously and could smell cabbage cooking in his mother’s kitchen, hopefully it is temporary with you. He does want us to enjoy things.
Denise Pass says
“God delights in our pleasure” – love this. I am currently leading a study on Lysa TerKeurst’s book, “Made to Crave” at my church and love the beauty of this principle you share. Pleasure isn’t bad, but pursuing pleasure rather than the Lover of our souls is not what we were made for – it is a reward from our faithful God! Thank you!
Sarah says
Sarah, this is one of the most beautiful posts. Thank you for so vividly and tangibly explaining God and how he does delight in us. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences for the rest of us to learn from. God bless!
Nancy Ruegg says
When we turn pleasure into heartfelt gratitude to God, as you do Sarah, his delight in our pleasure is surely expanded. What a privilege that is too: to give God Almighty reason to smile!
Beth Williams says
Sara Mae,
I can so relate. I was born with two punctured ear drums. Couldn’t hear anything for years. Finally got a hearing aid and heard the wind for the first time. WOW! The pleasures we take for granted. He delights in us so much & gives us many things to enjoy. Beautiful rainbows, mountains, fall colors, etc. Reminds me of Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing. Hard to image the God of the universe delighting in me & rejoicing over me with singing. I will revel in all the pleasures He has graciously given me.
Blessings 🙂