THE CRUSHING EFFECT

Posted on June 27, 2017 by oneta hayes

 

basilIt looked so beautiful sitting on the Wal-mart display unit in the veggie section. I reached over and touched the leaf – just a bit more – actually I crushed the leaf. Oh, it smelled so good! I was told it was a basal plant, $3.99, so into the basket it went.

At home I set it in the window over the sink so I could enjoy it. However, it gave no aroma without the crushing process. Each time I bruised it, my fingers radiated aroma from the crushed leaf. That’s the reason I’ve been sitting here rolling this basal leaf between my fingers.  And I remember ………

Granddad Jim preaching “a bruised reed, He (Jesus) will not crush.” – I wonder what I will find if I look in his old Bible. Yes, it is there—Isaiah 42:3– and it is no surprise to me that it is underlined.

He must have painted quite a word picture for me to remember for these many years. His word pictures surely showed a tender Jesus careful not to jostle the weak ones in the crowd, a loving Jesus leaning to lift a fallen woman, a gentle Jesus choosing steps on the hillside which would do the least damage to the flowers blooming there, and perhaps even a smiling Jesus holding a donkey while he waits for his mother to join the caravan getting ready to go into town.

And I am astounded at the love that was shown by God the Father when He chose to bruise this gentle Jesus so He could become my Magnificent Savior! Oh, lean in close, smell the sweet aroma emanating from the risen Christ—the victor over the horrific stench of the bloody cross, that cruel instrument wielded by the harsh treatment of those who were unbroken, but who also were invited by this long suffering, gentle, and loving Savior who prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

We are made strong by his crushing.  Strong enough to bear our own crushings.  May his sweet aroma radiate through us in those trying times.

About oneta hayes

ABOUT ME Hello. To various folks I am Neat’nee, Mom, Grandma Neta, Gramma, Aunt Neta, Aunt Noni, Aunt Neno, and Aunt Neto (lots of varieties from little nieces and nephews). To some I’m more like “Didn’t you used to be my teacher?” or “Don’t I know you from someplace?” To you, perhaps, I am a Fellow Blogger. Not “fellow” like a male or a guy, but “fellow” like a companion or an adventurer. I would choose to be Grandma Blogger, and have you pull up a chair, my website before you, while I tell you of some days of yore. I have experienced life much differently than most of you. It was and is a good life. I hope to share nuggets of appreciation for those who have gone before me and those who come after me. By necessity you are among those who come after me and I will tell you of those who came before. Once upon a time in a little house on a prairie - oops, change that lest I commit plagiarism - and change that “house on the prairie” to “dugout on the prairie.” So my story begins...
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16 Responses to THE CRUSHING EFFECT

  1. Julie (aka Cookie) says:
    June 27, 2017 at 11:34 am

    a beautiful post Oneta–filled with delightful scents, aromas, visual imagery and pure Grace!!

    Reply
  2. Winnie Andango says:
    June 27, 2017 at 1:17 pm

    Thank you for this piece. Not nice when we go through the crushing but he is able to make all things work for our good.

    Reply
  3. Salvageable says:
    June 27, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    I love fresh basil. Thank you also for the connection to Christ’s cross. J.

    Reply
  4. Heather Roberts says:
    June 27, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    Thank you for the reminder of His crushing for our freedom.

    Reply
  5. A Soldier's Walk says:
    June 27, 2017 at 10:13 pm

    Amen…Something I needed to hear. Thanks…

    Reply
  6. Roos Ruse says:
    June 30, 2017 at 9:16 pm

    Another beautiful slant on a Sweet Aroma, Oneta.

    Reply
  7. Faye says:
    July 6, 2017 at 1:04 am

    Great insights. Good reminder. Grace indeed!

    Reply

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