English Dogwood, aka Mock Orange. How strange, to be named for what you are not, and yet still be loved for it. It’s not a dogwood and it is not an orange. It actually belongs to the hydrangea family of plants.

On my morning walks, I spend time in conversation with God as I stroll through each garden. Like the nearness of God brushing against the ache in my soul for His presence, a sweet fragrance drew me to the Bird Garden early this morning.

As I entered the garden, I stood still and closed my eyes as a gentle fragrance surrounded me. It was unmistakable. The mock orange is in bloom. I drew close and noticed dew is still on the beautiful white petals.

As I meditate on the events of Passion Week, my mind is drawn to the image of Mary Magdalene coming to the garden, heavy heart and full of grief. Read John 20:1-8. What did she think she would find?

Mary Magdalene’s Story

Mary Magdalene came alone early on the third day, bringing spices to anoint the body of Jesus. She felt the need to honor Him in death as she had in life. Her grief was dark and heavy as she moved through the garden, each step a mix of sorrow and reverence.

When she reached the tomb, her heart sank. The stone was rolled away and the guards were gone. She quickly ran to find Peter and John, who rushed back with her. They looked inside and only found the linen burial wrappings.

The two disciples left, but Mary stayed behind, weeping. She felt so empty. The only sound in the garden was her shaky breathing, like the remnants of a broken song. She bent down to look inside the tomb and saw two angels dressed in white—one at the head and one at the foot of where Jesus had been.

“Woman, why are you crying?” they asked.

Mary struggled to respond. “They have taken away my Lord,” she whispered, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” Shaking, she turned to leave when she noticed someone standing nearby.

“Woman, why are you crying?” he said, “Who are you looking for?”

Mary didn’t recognize him and thought he might be the gardener. Who else would be out here so early? But His voice. There was something familiar about His voice.

“Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him,” she begged as she turned to leave.  

And then, in a loving and sorrowful voice, He spoke her name. “Mary.”

That’s all it took. The person she came to honor is calling her name. Jesus is alive. She turned and fell to her knees before Him.

A presence filled the air around her like a sweet fragrant breeze. Her sorrow started to ease and healing began. The heaviness lifted, and the garden transformed from a place of mourning to one filled with hope.

The air filled with a fragrance of life, not death, of joy, not sorrow. His presence brought the healing she desperately needed. It was a healing fragrance that would spread far and wide, bringing restoration to the world, transforming and renewing all who embraced it.

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Mary’s story is a reminder that God’s presence is not just a comfort in our moments of grief, but also a transformative force—a healing fragrance. Just as Mary found Jesus in the garden, we, too, can find His presence in our sorrow, our confusion, and our moments of despair. In Him, we find not only resurrection but a new way of living, breathing, and being transformed by His covenant love.

The healing we long for is not always an immediate change in our circumstances, but the presence of God filling the spaces we thought were empty. His presence is a fragrance that revives our hearts, restores our hope, and fills us with peace, even when we cannot yet see the full picture.

Let’s Pray

Lord, when we feel lost or abandoned, remind us that You are ever near, waiting to call us by name. Let Your presence be a healing fragrance to our weary souls, a fragrance of life, hope, and restoration. When we are surrounded by sorrow, let us breathe in Your peace, knowing that You are with us, walking with us, even when we cannot see You. May Your love heal our brokenness and renew our spirits. We trust in Your resurrection power, knowing that in Your presence, all things are made new. In Jesus name, Amen.

Find a place to shut yourself away from the noise of the world and worship with Charity Gayle, Steven Musso, “I Speak Jesus.“