Usually I hate the smell of cigarette smoke. Especially when it is covered by way too much perfume. But yesterday was different. I had arrived that morning at church expecting nothing much to happen. Because that's what we Christians do. We invite everyone to church telling them how great it is, but we go in ourselves, plop down in a seat and start thinking about what to fix for dinner. So, there I was in Sunday School wondering who would be there and if I would get a chance to pass out all the Christmas play parts to the kids. The door opened and in walked a friend of mine and his guest. This man had been to church last week, but now he was here at Sunday School. A lot of people come visit our church, but if you come to Sunday School, you're serious! We all moved around a little so they would have room, and our guest sat down right next to me. That's when I noticed it - the strong scent of stale smoke covered by a plethora of musky cologne. As I said earlier, usually this scent would turn my stomach, but for some reason, this time it was such a sweet smell. A smell of a person with some life behind him. A smell of a person different than me. A smell of a person coming to God just as he was. I know it was a holy aroma to God.
That morning, I had taken a nice long shower with my lavender body wash. I'd worn pants so I wouldn't be too dressy, a jacket so I wouldn't complain about how cold our church is, and I even threw on my Uganda beads so I could feel good about helping those poor mamas in need. Finally, I used a little of my new perfume a church member had gotten me for pastor appreciation month. I was looking and smelling pretty good, right? That morning sitting in a Sunday School class filled with the scent of yesterday's cigarettes, He opened my eyes. I was clothed in self-righteousness and sprayed with a little arrogance for good measure. God didn't smell my new perfume. He smelled my bitterness, my lack of self-control, my pride. I was stinking up the place!
I pray He helps me to remember to be more concerned with His view, His way, and His name. When I come to Him, I cannot hide behind flowery perfume. My scent comes flowing through each pore of my being. Let it be a scent of grace, mercy, love, and thankfulness. A holy aroma to Him.
