Be A-Wearin’ Holy Perfume

Well now, Buttercup, you git on up here on this here front porch and be ‘a-watchin’ out for that there ol’ blue jay that’s been ‘a-actin’ like he done owns the deed to this whole property. He’s been ‘a-squawkin’ louder than a rooster that just discovered his own echo. Sit yourself down for a spell ‘cause I have been ‘a-thinkin’ on somethin’ sweeter than fresh honey and stinkier than a skunk ‘a-takin’ a bubble bath. It’s that there fragrance of Christ. You be ‘a-knowin’ what that there is?

I often pray, “Lord, help me be ‘a-sensin’ You more.” I want to know His presence, His goodness, His voice. And most days, He done sends that sweet fragrance through other folks. Kind of like the aromas that came ‘a-floatin’ from my mama’s kitchen. Some days it done smelled like fresh bread ‘a-risin’ to glory, but, one day, well, a lil’ mouse once done crawled off to meet Jesus behind the stove, and the whole house smelled like a real stinky version of judgment day. It was the same kitchen, but two very different aromas. It’s the same with us.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 that we are the “pleasin’ aroma of Christ.” To some folks, we smell like the sweet fragrance of life. To others, we be ‘a-smell like a dead ol’ possum ‘a-fermentin’ in the sun. Jesus Himself had folks sayin’, “He’s such a good man,” while others done hollered, “He ain’t nothin’ but a fraud” in John 7:12. Same Savior. That there’s two very different nose smells.

Truth is, people’s judgments are often more about what’s ‘a-livin’ in their own hearts than ours. Just like the feller who was done ‘a-thinkin’ the whole world stunk, only to discover he had some o’ that there Limburger cheese ‘a-stickin’ on the bottom of his own shoe. Bless him, sometimes the stink ain’t out there. It is right here ‘a-stickin’ right on you.

But Ephesians 5:2 says, “Christ loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice,” an’ that there’s a real “pleasin’ aroma to God.” And ‘cause Jesus is ‘a-livin’ in us, we’re done already carryin’ that fragrance, too. Not ‘cause we’re perfect. Goodness no! Some days we done smell heavenly just like mama’s bread. Other days we done smell real stinky just like that ol’ dead mouse. But by God’s grace, we can still be His sweet-smellin’ aroma ‘a-risin’ up to God, invitin’ folks to breathe in that sweet-smellin’ goodness of Jesus.

Lord Jesus, thank You for ‘a-makin’ us be that there sweet-smellin’ fragrance of Christ. Help us be ‘a-spreadin’ lovely aroma of Your love wherever You be ‘a-leadin’ us. Let others be ‘a-sensin’ Your goodness through our words, our kindness, and our lives. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

Well, mercy me, Butterbean, that oughta’ stick to your soul like thick white gravy ‘a-soakin’ into a fluffy biscuit. Now go on out there and be glorifyin’ God by ‘a-smellin’ like Jesus everywhere you’re ‘a-goin’,so folks’ll be ‘a-askin’ where you done got that wonderful perfume you’re ‘a-wearin’!

With joy,

Gwen