Our Fragrance

I remember the first time I met my friend Donna. As she walked into the room, her presence alone was captivating. Her warm smile, her encouraging words to everyone she spoke to, her zeal for life and in particular, her passion to encourage the people she met to reach their full potential left me feeling incredibly inspired and motivated to continue on the path I was called for. Although I don’t see Donna very often, I have to say, each time I am with her, near her, or listen to her speak, that overwhelming feeling of being inspired washes over me again. I love and admire her so much. 

Do you have people in your life that make you feel this way? The greater question is; ‘Do you make others feel this way when they meet you?’ It is a challenging question, right?  

I myself am challenged by this. For me, it is easy to be a life giver when I have a drama free day, but on the days that are full of frustration and not going to plan, I don’t particularly feel like being a life giver. On those days, I have to consciously be aware of the language I speak and the way I project myself onto others. How about you?

Every day we have a choice. We can choose to be like Donna and bring a beautiful aroma into a room, into a conversation, into a situation, or we can choose to wear sour lemons on our lips. One will leave a deposit of hope, life, and encouragement while the other leaves a stench.

We all have God’s Holy Spirit dwelling in us, which means we carry the fragrant essence of God inside of us. Therefore, no matter what our day is like, we can draw from His resource to be a life giver for others.

¹⁴ “You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5: 14-16 (NCV)

‘Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Oh, that you would choose life so that you and your descendants might live!’ Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)