"Can you help me, please?" I asked three lady employees whom had gathered to stock a display at Walmart. "I'm looking for the deodorant". Right when I said that, it just so happened the brunette lady standing closest to me touched her nose with her fingers. Deciding to have a little fun with her, I said with a straight face, "How come you held your nose when I mentioned I needed deodorant?" Then adding to the 
joke, I began to apologize as if I was sorry I stunk! "Oh no!" she said, "It wasn't you!" Then I began to laugh which encouraged them to all join in! The spunky gal with the pink and purple hair offered to escort me to that department, (I'm sure so that no one would have to hold their nose!) As we moved towards that aisle we giggled all the way! Later when I passed the helper I had played the joke on, I declared, "I found it! Hallelujah!" And laughter broke out again!
I wish that in dealing with stinky attitudes it was as easy as taking a shower and applying deodorant! I have been around individuals at times that because of their situations their body odor was so strong it caught my breath! Even more so, I have been around negativity and complaining that made me want to move away from them even more! How are you smelling these days?
2 Corinthians 2:15 tells us of the smell we need! "For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ..." Oh my, are people able to smell Jesus on us? And is it good? Even though I was kidding with the gals in Walmart, they could tell I cared about them and was having fun enjoying them! (It is a compliment when someone feels they can kid around with you! So, don't be "touchy"!) The fragrance of Christ is really just letting God be what the other person needs!
I am a "White Shoulders" fragrance fan! I have worn it for over 50 years! (If it's not broke, don't fix it!) It's been my favorite perfume, body lotion, cologne and bath powder and I pray they never quit making them! It is me! When people smell it, it's the fragrance of CarolMarie!
Are you fun to be with? Do you make the situation enjoyable? Do you draw others to you (and to the Lord)? Or do you find people wanting to be elsewhere?
Once, I was working with some children in the Children's Home which was connected to the widow's center at which I worked. While I was having fun with them one child turned to the other and said, "See, not all old people are mean!" I wasn't sure I wanted to be called "old" but I caught the child's meaning. Many seniors get grumpy and impatient as they get older! That should not be! We should be seasoned with love through the many lessons we have learned!
Life is just daily opportunities to either stink or to smell like Jesus! We may not be able to control what is done towards us, but we can certainly choose how to react! We are told to always count it joy (James 1:2) We can rejoice always no matter what! (Phil 4:4) Because we are to "Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near..." (vs 5). In other words, people can pick up on whether we are unselfish, considerate, patient and forgiving like Jesus! He is near, can others smell Him? Life is short compared to eternity. It's just not worth stinking!
