2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”
A couple of days ago I finally got around to cleaning out my purse. I had been putting it off for awhile, but as the old saying goes, “better late than never”. There were so many papers and other unnecessary items stuffed in there, and it was so heavy. Florida’s tropical climate produced a lot of rain, so it was also nice to remove the little umbrella I kept in my purse at all times.
Amongst the many papers, I even found a few Publix receipts from last summer. If you’ve ever been to Florida, then you know Publix is the main grocery store there. By the way, I do miss the five dollar sushi rolls special that Publix had on Wednesdays. Here’s a picture of the vegetable rolls I loved to eat with soy sauce…
Anyway, while working at my company in Florida, there was this really nice lady. She had worked at the company for quite sometime. I vaguely remember her introducing herself to me in the hallway shortly after I started working there. Although we worked in different departments, I would usually run into her in the hallway or the break room. I always enjoyed our short chats because she seemed so genuine, and was always very kind and peaceful. There was something very unique about her.
Well she ended up becoming very ill and was out of work for several months. I can remember the morning they informed us that she had passed away. After she passed away, her son, who also worked at my company, sent out an email expressing his appreciation to everyone for the kindness shown toward his family during the passing of his mother.
At the end of the email, he shared his mother’s favorite prayer with us. While I was cleaning out my purse, I found a copy of the prayer. I had printed it out and put it up on my desk when her son shared it with us. And during my last week of work, I took it down and put it in my purse. So while I was cleaning out my purse, I found it.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, Help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so completely, that all my life may be only a radiance of yours. Shine through me and be so in me that everyone with whom I come into contact may feel your presence within me. Let them look up and see no longer me, but only you Jesus. Amen. (author unknown)
Coming across this prayer not only reminded me of my lovely coworker, but it also reminded me that when we walk in the ways of Christ, people truly notice. When we are devoted to Him, we will give off a sweet fragrance that will be pleasing to those around us like my coworker did.
My coworker had a desire to, “spread the fragrance of Jesus” everywhere she went. Although we never talked about Christianity, I saw it through her actions and could feel her love for Jesus through her warm and gentle spirit. She allowed the Spirit of God to live through her. When her son shared her favorite prayer, it confirmed what I had already experienced in my encounters with her. I’m glad I had the chance to meet her.
What a privilege it is that we as Christians are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and we are privileged to spread His fragrance everywhere we go. When people meet us, they should also meet Jesus.
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