Releasing the Fragrance of Christ

State Fair roses. A beautiful fragrance!

In my hubby’s home state, summer’s last hurrah is the Great Minnesota Get together, otherwise known as the Minnesota State Fair. Lingering aromas of fried foods and just about any kind of food-on-a-stick known to man hover over this hallowed acreage in St. Paul. When we lived in the Midwest we made a day of it with all five of our kids in tow to see the fair from morning until the Great Midway lights shone bright. So much to see, so little time. As long as we were able, we would go.

I recommend purchasing a booklet of coupons good for a wide variety of purchases at the Fair. One year I procured 2 dozen roses for $10.00 at the Horticultural building. There’s something special about carrying 2 dozen roses with you wherever you go. People take notice and ask where you got them. They remark on the roses’ beauty. They smell the floral perfume wafting from red blossoms. Flowers can affect the atmosphere of a place in the most remarkable ways. This was quite evident on our bus ride back to the parking lot at the end of the night.

Weary fair goers filed onto the bus, dropping into the nearest open seat available. Parents with worn out children, energized kiddoes with worn out parents, teenagers on a date, and us. One mom in particular seemed to be on her last nerve with the kids. I knew how she felt. I’d been there years before. And there I sat with 24 of the prettiest, most fragrant endorphin producers in my arms and thought, “What in the world am I going to do with all these flowers? I have more than enough for myself. I have to share.” I looked at my husband and I looked at the weary mom and smiled.

Dispensing one rose at a time had succeeded to deplete my cache by 13. Each time I handed one out I reaped the joy of seeing a smile grow where previously there was none. And I was happier for it. I told them I wanted to share the blessing and in turn I was blessed. Funny thing about spending time amongst the roses, fragrance lingers after the flower is gone.

In our time with the Rose of Sharon we acquire the fragrance of our beautiful Savior. To some, it is a fragrance depicting the dying to oneself. To those who are being saved from this dying world it is a fragrance of renewal and transformation, to the glory of God.

Are there opportunities you have to release the Fragrance of Christ today?

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