Spreading a Beautiful Aroma

It has been said that a scent can instantly bring up a memory or past experience. We often associate cherished things in our lives through smell. As a child, my mother did not cook much. My father loved to eat out, my mother did not like to cook, so the winning dinnertime solution was to eat out...every night! I can still remember living in a neighborhood and smelling the delicious scent of dinner cooking penetrating into the street. To me, there was nothing so enticing.

Fast forward over 40 years later....although we live in the country, often I go for runs in town where the routes take me through neighborhoods. It is now Christmas season, so my favorite neighborhood has lights in the yard, bows on the mailboxes and beautiful yard decorations all through it. Running through one day, enjoying the seasonal sights a delicious scent wafted out from one of the homes. It had to be a cake baking and from the scent, it would be wonderful! It instantly transported me to my childhood and the joy of the delightful smell of baking. But, the difference now is, I can attempt to imitate and make my own aroma! As I ran past, still inhaling the scent, thinking of what kind of cake I could bake for my family, another aroma hit me. This time it wasn't so pleasant, but was an awful smell coming from the trash cans out by the road.

It reminded me of the powerful verse reminding Christians that we are to be the aroma of Christ. "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life." As Christians, we represent Christ and can have an inviting, warm, welcoming aroma or a pungent, harsh abrasive aroma. One draws others, one repels others.

This is a perfect time to ponder this verse as many of us in the last few days before Christmas will face people while our minds and hands are extremely busy. Crowded stores, unhappy, impatient shoppers, frustration, time strapped people will be all around us. As we strive to celebrate the true meaning of the season, may we project a pleasant aroma that leads to life!

One of my Christmas devotions shared this quote which I loved:
"May your family be known for the Gospel it shares and the love it shows. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be famous for the Gospel and famous for love? When Christmas guests walk into your home, may they say, 'This is a home that loves."
May we fill our hearts with worship and extend a beautiful aroma all around us!

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