A Fragrance That Leaves You Wanting More

As I made my way to my second-row seat at church on Sunday, I couldn’t help but notice this exquisite floral masterpiece at the altar. Not only was I taken with the enormity of the arrangement and the vast array of colorful flowers and greenery, but the fragrant aroma of the flowers filled the air. It drew me in as an aromatic garden. I related it to the fragrance of those who exude the fragrance of sweet Holy Spirit Who blesses us with so many appealing "fragrant" gifts: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) I'm sure you're familiar with that fragrance and even witnessed it in others. You might carry that scent, too.

We hear and talk a lot about being the "light of the world", but shouldn't we also be the "fragrance of the world"? Carrying the fragrance of God wherever we go certainly makes sense.

The Bible tells us this story: "Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." (John 12:3) Can't you just imagine the aroma that consumed the house and all those who were in the house? What about those who had been in Jesus' presence that day? Don’t you know they carried the scent of the perfume, but they also carried the scent of Jesus' presence on them, too. They were better for it. They wanted to BE BETTER because of it.

What if our lives were a fragrance that attracted people to God? Our fragrance will either attract others to Him or repel them. The sweet scent of the likeness of Christ can be an irresistible pull toward the Savior. When we walk with God, we leave behind a sweet fragrance that can inspire others to follow. So many need to experience that fragrance.....and they will, as we continue to "splash on" His fragrance throughout our days. So....what fragrance are YOU wearing today?

What is YOUR Aroma?

On the the way to church, yesterday morning, there was a sweet aroma in my car – a fragrance that brings me to tears. Oh but first before I go there.....I'll tell you what created that lovely aroma. Leading up to Saturday, the 16th, there were 16 days of celebrating my granddaughter's Sweet 16 birthday. Her Mom, Alexia and I started the month with an adventurous trip to Six Flags and now it was my turn to finish out the celebrations on Saturday. We celebrated in Nana/Alexia style!

The first thing on Saturday, I headed to the Wallace home for our final day to begin. After my "legacy" talk that I spoke about yesterday in my post/blog, it was time for Nana’s birthday treasure hunt. Unlike other years when a clue leads to another clue until the BIG treasure is found, this year, there were six clues, each representing a letter in Alexia’s name that sent her to places to look around their home. At each location was a paragraph of "wisdom" for her and the treasure that went with the letter. For example, A = Alexia. "The A in Alexia represents ALEXIA which means “helper and defender of mankind”. Indeed, my sweet girl, God’s anointing is on you and you WILL be helping men, women, boys and girls through your beautiful heart of love. You have the DNA of a warrior and a strong, mighty woman of God with a heart to touch so many with God’s love and power. The A has a treasure ahead! Go find it near your Mom & Dad’s bed. Maybe there’s something there that will remind you of “defending mankind”!"
The A treasure was AMC Theater (that would be a part of our day). She’s a strong warrior already so of course, I knew she wanted to see “Spiderman” yet again. There were other clues, treasures and adventures that made for a very special 16th birthday complete.

After the treasure hunt we headed out for lunch, the movie, and some retail therapy which inspired this day's post/blog. At the mall, we walked by a store that ALWAYS takes me back to my sweetheart and HIS aroma. Maybe this is too much information, but here goes anyway! One of my favorite characteristics about him was he always desired to smell good, so throughout the day, he would splash on a little more cologne. So when Alexia and I were passing by the Abercrombie & Fitch store, Alexia said, “Nana, you want to go in?” She knew my heart. We did. We sprayed his and my favorite -- that wonderful “Fierce” cologne on the little cards. Momentarily, I couldn't hold back the tears. When we got to the car, Alexia put her card in the vent of my air conditioner – thus, the aroma in my car yesterday morning going to and from church.

I breathed in that wonderful aroma and I had precious thoughts about my sweetheart. He's certainly basking in heavenly scents now. And, on this side of heaven, God wants all of us to exude His own sweet aroma to the world.

2 Corinthians 2:14 says this: "But thanks be to God! For through what Christ has done, He has triumphed over us so that now wherever we go He uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Gospel LIKE A SWEET PERFUME.”

What if our lives sent out an aroma that attracted people to God? Our aroma will either attract others to Him or repel them. The sweet scent of the likeness of Christ can be an irresistible pull toward the Savior. When we walk with God and are imitators of His character (love, joy, peace, kindness, etc.) we will leave behind an aroma that can inspire others to follow. So many need to experience that aroma....and they will, as we continue to "splash on" His fragrance. So....what is YOUR aroma today?

I love looking up the meaning of people's names. In fact, as a gift to a group of women not long ago, I gave them each a card that included their name, the character quality of their name and a scripture verse that goes with their name, like those pictured here. In fact, I love helping new parents understand the meaning of the name they're choosing or have chosen for their child.

Throughout history, a person's name was very important. In Biblical times, a person's surname linked them to their genealogy and even their first names often described their circumstances. For example, Abraham, Father of Many Nations.

When King Solomon said these words, "A good name is better than a good ointment" (a sweet smelling savor), he was speaking about their character. In ancient days, perfumes were very costly and a good name (not referring to the actual name, but their character) didn't compare in value.

We can certainly put on perfume or aftershave and we'll smell good for a short time, but a good name is lasting. It stays with us wherever we go, in every setting in life. We hear "Hitler" and we think a notorious, ruthless, diabolical dictator and murderer. We hear "Mother Teresa" and we think a loving, compassionate, giving caring, and servant of true character and honor.

What do people think when they hear your name? Is it good or bad? I have good news. When we connect and stay connected to God and desire to become like Him in character and integrity, we'll start becoming like Him, regardless of the name our Mom and Dad chose for us. Let's live in such a way, that if someone spoke badly of us -- no one would believe it!

Of All the Blessings -- the Ones I Love the Most Call Me Mom and Nana

Just getting ready to board my flight home to Tulsa. Thanks be to God for a beautiful cruise, lots of memories made with great friends and family, awesome excitement about the future of helping more and more people be blessed.

And of all the blessings I have -- the ones I love the most call me "Mom" and "Nana". I was so blessed and honored in so many ways on this trip. I really think my son heard from his dad -- especially when he & Shawntel blessed me with an amazing spa treatment, then when we went into Cozumel, they bought me perfume,

and the big finale was when my sweet son bought me a beautiful amethyst stone ring -- I felt like a queen. Of all the things we did wrong in raising our kids -- we did the right things by teaching then to dream, believe, be the best they can be, serve God with all their hearts and never quit -- YES -- we must have done something right!

Living a life of purpose and destiny creates so many opportunities for blessings along the way. We don't give to receive -- but God sure does keep up with His Word -- "Give and it shall be given you -- pressed down, shaken down and running over...." How can I say enough thanks for all He has given me? I know! I'll continue to GIVE BACK -- in praise, thanksgiving, service, adoration, and being available at a moment's notice to be His ambassador!

Mary's Alabaster Box = Audacious Love

Monday of Holy Week: "Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil." (John 12:3) So beautiful was this story, and also, how revealing this story was as we see Judas revealing his true colors when he was in such a tiff about Mary "wasting" this oil. The fact is Mary could have used a dime store brand of oil, but, Jesus explained, "She was preparing for my burial", so, of course, he gave the best she had. Oh, that we would LOVE so audaciously -- in such a way that expresses our deepest love for the ONE who gave us His all.

I love this song so much by Cece Winans, "Mary's Alabaster Box", that is so befitting of the unconditional love that Jesus gave her as she poured out her love to Him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5zIOcBiTGg