The Art of Gathering: How Smell Shapes Memory, Belonging & Spiritual Hospitality
The Fragrance of Home
Aroma of Belonging
Every home carries its own “fragrance fingerprint,” a gentle cue of belonging and returning. Smell is more than aesthetic pleasure; it is a language of the soul. It communicates welcome, comfort, and attentiveness in ways social media, notifications, and digital interactions cannot replicate.
Our sense of smell is such a delightful gift.
Did you know that smell is essential not only for how we taste food, but also for how we form memories? I noticed this recently when my three-year-old received a gift and immediately said, “Is this from Miss Abbie? It smells like her house!” The power of smell can transport us through time. We can travel sometimes to joy, sometimes to comfort, sometimes to a moment our soul needed to remember.
A 2024 NYAS review also found that signature home scents — the combination of food, candles, natural fibers, and flowers — can positively influence mood and social connection, supporting mental wellbeing and relational intimacy.
Our senses anchor us in space and time, and in doing so, they invite intentional connection. When we pay attention we cultivate a deeper appreciation for the ordinary: a child laughing in the kitchen, a pet curling at our feet, or the soft flicker of candlelight accompanying a quiet evening. In these moments, scent becomes a gentle steward of presence, holding us in the sacred ordinary.
Our senses anchor us in space and time, and in doing so, they invite intentional connection.
As we choose candles, flowers, and cozy scents for our home, I want to look deeper to find the aroma of the heart. What is the fragrance of my inner life? Is what I am cultivating in my soul becoming a gentle offering to those around me?
What we carry within ourselves will inevitably permeate our homes. As we attune our hearts with peace, love, and hospitality, the atmosphere around us communicates more than words ever could.
What we carry within ourselves will inevitably permeate our homes. As we attune our hearts with peace, love, and hospitality, the atmosphere around us communicates more than words ever could. A simple candle flicker, the soft bloom of flowers, or the lingering smell of a lovingly prepared meal can echo the “aroma of Christ” in daily life. His presence nurtures both our own souls and the relationships we are taking care to cultivate. So then, this sensory mindfulness we have explored is not just aesthetic; it is sacred work, a practice of making our homes vessels of grace, comfort, and belonging.
When Noonday Collection launched their candles my heart skipped a beat when I saw that one of them was named gather. It is a staple in my home and I will need to stock up soon in case they stop making it. I hope that whichever candle you use will help you let smell become a liturgy of remembering.
Exhale shame.
Inhale grace.
Your soul is welcome here.
The Gather Candle by Noonday Collection
I love to gather with people around the table creating spaces for real heart conversation. So, when I imagine our time together I imagine a sweet smell of flowers and pine trees mingling with eucalyptus. And that is exactly how my favorite candle smells.
Gracefully,
What a perfect time to start honing your charcuterie skills! I have just the right thing to help you feel ready and confident while you gather. I created this simple and beautiful charcuterie guide for you. In my opinion it’s cute enough to show and then it would always be available for you! Plus, I am always honored to offer you practical content for purposeful and life giving time around the table.
