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Does it seem as if everything tastes and smells like pumpkin spice these days?
That’s not far from the truth.
While a number of people assume that this distinctive “autumnal aroma” began when Starbucks debuted its Pumpkin Spice Lattes (PSL’s) in 2003, Americans were flavoring pumpkin pies with various spices even before the revolutionary year of 1776.
Pumpkins, to be honest, are rather bland. But the quartet of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger (along with spoonfuls of sugar) can transform comparatively tasteless gourds into Thanksgiving treats.
In the 1990s, coffee makers began experimenting with seasonal flavors. Pumpkin spice quickly achieved widespread popularity, leading to the Starbucks breakthrough.
Pumpkin spice-scented candles and air fresheners quickly followed. But the real explosion has happened in seemingly every grocery store aisle.
Today you can shop for pumpkin spice-flavored ice cream, whipped toppings, Jello, potato chips, beer, and Spam. The jury is still out as to whether nutmeg, ginger, and cloves (or anything else) can actually improve the taste of Spam.
Clothing and accessories in fall colors are occasionally marketed as pumpkin spice fashions. You can even buy pumpkin spice-scented deodorant, for those days when you want to smell like a freshly baked pie.
What’s the attraction?
Fragrance experts have noted that pumpkin spices have a soothing effect on many people, and even trigger a release of happiness-generating dopamine. Cinnamon has been identified as a calming aroma, while ginger has long been associated with improving unsettled digestive tracts.
In truth, the power of pumpkin spices may simply be one of nostalgia. “That smell triggers happy memories for me – joyful moments from my childhood and rich recollections from the holidays.”
It’s worth noting that smells are a big deal on the pages of Scripture.
According to Exodus 29:18, burnt offerings produce a “pleasing aroma” to the Lord, and Ephesians 5:2 describes Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross as a “fragrant offering” to God. In Revelation 5:8, the prayers of God’s people are likened to incense.
But, in a more fundamental way, every day we carry around the aroma of who we truly are and what we believe in our heart of hearts.
It’s impossible, in fact, for us to fool the people we’ll meet over the next 24 hours.
We smell like our work.
And our priorities.
And our choices.
And our relationships.
And our heartfelt commitments.
And the world is either glad that we’re nearby or hopeful that we’ll soon be heading down the road.
During the heyday of the Roman Empire, conquering troops would parade through the capital city, leading the prisoners they had captured.
Conquerors and prisoners alike walked across flower petals strewn on the streets by the crowds. The resulting fragrance was a reminder to everyone present: Chalk up another victory for Rome.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 2:14-15: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved…”
Our greatest aspiration should be that those we meet today might catch a scent not of pumpkin spices, but of something beautiful, humble, and hopeful in our lives.
And that they’d be glad of our presence.
And sorry to see us go.
And maybe even willing to conclude:
Chalk up another victory for the God who transforms human hearts.