I’m working on a new book of daily devotions. The following is one of them. I hope you like it and when the book comes out, you’ll want a copy of the entire 90 devotions. I’d love to hear your comments.

Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life(2 Corinthians 2: 15-16 MSG).

It was a sorrowful time. My husband and my children’s father had died. We were grieving, but there was a creature who was also grieving and he didn’t understand that Bill was gone. He was waiting for him to come home. Card was a jet Black Labrador retriever who was nicknamed “Bullet” because he was so fast at retrieving ducks and geese. He loved working in the field with his master, Bill. Whenever at rest, Card would lay on the floor, right next to Bill’s feet. 

Bill had been in the hospital for several days, because of a minor—then a major stroke. One week later, he died. 

A few days later on a brisk sunny morning, my son, Todd and I took a walk to the store. When we left the house, Todd grabbed the nearest jacket in the closet which happened to be Bill’s olive green hunting jacket. 

As we walked back home, past the side yard where Card’s run was located, he began yipping joyfully. “What is Card making all that noise about?” we asked each other. Card was normally a very quiet dog and I never heard him bark. But then we remembered. Todd had his father’s jacket on and Card smelled his master! He believed his master was finally home!

As Christians, we are often unaware of our influence on other people. Sometimes, with our attitude and closeness with Christ, we exude a fragrance that is good. Yet how many times do we exude an odor of impatience or negativity? 

Just like Card, the dog who didn’t understand where his master was, but when he smelled the scent on that jacket, he knew his master was near!

What are we to other people? Do we give off a fragrance that is undeniably the scent of Christ? An “exquisite fragrance”? “Lord, help me, exude Your fragrance in me and draw others to You. Thank you, Amen.”

 

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