Take time to smell the roses...

There is the popular expression to "take time and smell the roses," which of course, being a lover of beautiful roses, I've always enjoyed...but I wonder if we do actually take the time to smell the roses? Can you remember the last time you literally did smell a rose? Have you "drunk in their perfume" as Anne of Green Gables most likely would have said?

There are so many glorious roses and scents, some are very perfumed with a distinct, rose floral scent and others smell like lemonade and others again smell very "green"... and they each bring me delight. My favourite roses are those that smell like lemonade, but I do very much enjoy "Double delight" roses with the very strong perfume.
Really this expression to take time and smell the roses goes further though, it really is talking about taking time to enjoy the "little things", the "everyday things" and for me, the things that bring God glory, that I want to praise Him about.
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord..." Psalm 150:6
On the weekend, I took time out to attend a fabulous workshop in Kyenton, to do some flower arranging or artistry, based on French Salon paintings. We looked at French artworks and discussed some of the history of France (with a couple of glasses of French champagne and some delicious treats to go with it,) to then be inspired to create our own "French masterpiece." This was one way that I took time out to really experience and enjoy more of God's provision of beauty for us.
Here's what I created...

Tres magnifique...

May I encourage you to "take time to smell the roses..."