Cappuccino starts with espresso - really strong coffee with frothed milk poured on top. What drives a true espresso-based drink is the espresso itself. Espresso is really strong, and when you first make it, the smell can actually be offensive. Frothed milk is milk that's been heated and then aerated to the point of having foam (without the foam, it's just a latte - yup, that's the big difference). For sweetness, I largely use sugar-free syrup. Though it's sweet, it can also be offensive because of the aftertaste.
And yet, it is the quality of each, prepared in the right way, added in the right measure, that brings the appearance, texture, odor, and taste to the point of being sublime.
People rarely appreciate things in a singular fashion over long periods of time. Even a good cup of black coffee, once tasted and appreciated (there are those rare people who enjoy their coffees black), becomes a candidate for some sort of exotic drink infusion (especially by those of us who don't particularity enjoy our coffees black). The coffee is good but we just feel that it has certain elements that when mixed with something else, it not only highlights a particular quality of the drink, but elevates other qualities of what it's placed within. The whole, when mixed with understanding and skill, becomes an entirely new thing with new potential to provide maximum sensory and emotional fulfillment.
Non coffee lovers may not get that picture, but surely there are those who enjoy a good apple pie or cheesecake, fried chicken, mixed vegetables, or lasagna? All of these are blends, and maybe you get it now...
While sipping on this morning's delight giving creation, I began to wander... does my ability to taste the greatness of cappuccino reflect (even a little bit) of God's ability to enjoy us when we come together? Just humor me, OK? So after a few scriptures bubbled up to my mind, I searched the internet for "sweet smelling sacrifices," and upon finding an interesting page, I noted these.
How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting. - Ps 133
"For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” - Mat 18.20
[So] Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. - Eph 5.2
[For] There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. - John 15.13
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. - Rom 12.1
And the LORD was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice - Gen 8.21a
[So] thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. - 2Cor 2.14-16a
I think of how quiet a house (usually) is when only one child is home. And then when another comes, the house is filled with the laughter and squeals of joy and the exasperations of (usually feigned) annoyances - but their friendship, their kinship, is evident as the scent of the love they have for one another fills the house. And then the third child comes in, a dash of sassy, a dollop of trash talking, but cupfuls of sweet loving - and the aroma in the house takes on a whole new flavor.
And I am grateful for God sharing just a whiff of His meal with me, a love feast which delights my soul and reminds me of His goodness. I am humbled at just being able to share the crumbs from this table, but then He reminds me that He has given me a seat at the table. I open my heart at the feast and the flavors of friendship through the lives which God has mixed together permeate my senses and overwhelm me with a supernatural understanding.
At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me [...] They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. - Phil 4.18
And I am full, and I am satisfied, and I am at peace.
For I have tasted, and seen, that the Lord? He is good. And His mercy endures. Forever.
