what is that smell?

When my youngest brother was small he used to bury his nose in my hair or my arm, sniff deeply, and say, “You smell good.” Only he was so small it came out “You ‘mell good.”

I think of him even now when I smell something delicious or disgusting and wonder if he’s still sensitive to smell. And I wonder if my nose has evolved into as good a “smell detector” as his always was.

Then I happened upon these verses in my devotions and was delighted at the “smelly” metaphor.

But thanks be to God, who in Christ . . . through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.  2 Cor. 2:14-15

We – as grace-filled believers – get to smell like Jesus every day!

Please don’t be alarmed. This is not a Performance Driven Life post where I share a short anecdote and a verse then lob a shoulda-coulda-oughta guilt trip at you. I simply refuse to end with

Are the things that you say and do giving off the fragrance of Christ? Or are you exuding a different smell all together? You should be spreading a Jesus aroma every day!

Naw, none of that. You and me – we’ve left that PDL behind. Instead this is just a joyful thought that I wanted to share with you, another grace receiver.

Once we’ve experienced Christ and His grace in our lives, the natural outflow will be spilling love onto others. And as we do, we’ll give off the fragrance of Jesus because He’s the one at work in and through us. He’s the one giving grace to the thirsty world around us.

So, Grace Friends, smile and enjoy the grace aroma you can’t help spreading today!