Yuvonda Hendricks

Calvary Baptist Church

December 28, 2011

Several months ago my daughter and I were sharing childhood memories.  She shared something that really surprised me - smelling peanut butter reminded her of me!  When she was around 4 years old, I would sit on the patio eating peanut butter and watch her ride her tricycle.  Periodically she would run over to give me a hug and then run back to ride again - this precious time together was linked with the smell of peanut butter! 

There are so many aromas during the Christmas season that remind me of past events - evergreen trees, peppermint, cinnamon, apple cider, wood burning, and hot chocolate just to name a few.  Some are reminders of powerful and sweet memories and others are reminders of difficult and hurtful events.

As I was contemplating the power of this association I began to question my aroma to those around me.  Do I treat others with kindness in my words and actions that give a pleasing fragrance?  Is there an association between my aroma and Christ’s love for others?  When I am busy with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season in the malls, while driving, in the grocery store, decorating with my family, making cookies with my grandchildren - do others associate my actions with the love of Christ?

I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.  For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 2:13-17 (NASB)

Prayer

Father God, thank you for my salvation.  I pray that this Christmas season will be focused on the celebration of your birth and a reminder that your birth, death and resurrection is the gift of my salvation.  In honor of you, may I be a sweet fragrance of Christ to those around me.

© Yuvonda Hendricks