FireQuill Publications
The Short Stories, Plays and Bible Studies
of Kathy Kearney
Life's Sweet Smell
Life’s Sweet Smell
By Kathy Kearney
A Friend Tells Me Her Story (c) 1989
Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God. . .to those being saved we are a life-giving perfume II Corinthians 2: 15,16b
Much has happened in my life that I do not understand—and perhaps never will. But I do know that God uses trials to perfect our faith, which He says is more precious than gold. I also know there are days when my faith’s metallurgical value is somewhere between aluminum foil and lead. That’s when things usually happen. On a day when the world chews me up and spits me out and I feel more useless than dirt, God uses me.
I had called for an appointment with a CEO whose company does work with mine. His secretary told me he was unavailable, but that she would have him return my call. She paused and then asked, “May I tell you something.”
“Certainly,” I responded.
She continued. “While I’ve never spoken with you, I’ve been present in two meetings as you discussed your company’s goals with Mr. Jackson. The first time, while watching and listening, I was impressed with your demeanor. I can’t explain what it was, but I was strangely taken with an “air” about you that was so captivating and so different. When I got home that evening, I suddenly had a longing to read the Bible, something I had not done since my childhood.”
Astounded at such a revelation, I made no comment. She went on with her story.
“I was also present when you and Mr. Jackson met the second time. Once again, I sensed that indescribable air about you. I can only describe it as refreshing. For the rest of that day, the memory of that scent stayed with me, and when I arrived home that evening, I had a longing to talk with God. That evening as I moved about my home I just talked with Him.”
Here she paused as if seeking the right words. “Would you please tell me what is the air that emanates from you?
My tiredness vanished in the glorious energy of her question and in what I knew to be the answer.
“This air you speak of is not my perfume; for you could purchase that in any store. But I did not buy this “perfume.” It is free. What you smell is life in the person of Christ. Surrounded as we are by death in this world, we’ve become accustomed to its odor. But the vivid contrast of His life can cause an instant awareness of His presence.”
Oddly enough, she didn’t seem surprised at my response.
“I would like to talk further about this with you. May we have dinner together some evening?”
“I would like that very much,” I replied.
Later that evening I recounted this event to a friend. My voice was heavy with tears, and I asked her why or how God could use me in my present condition.
“You are worn out with this job. Your three-year trial without steady employment, resulted in being turned on, and away, by people you once counted as friends. You have suffered both financial and emotional depravation. You’ve been lonely, sad, heartbroken and crushed. When you took this job, you didn’t think you could succeed, but it was the only door open. You’ve told me before how you feel like a failure—faking confidence for fear the company would figure out what a dunce you really are.
“None of that is true, Ann. But during these past three years you have walked in tight fellowship with God. All your expectations, aspirations, talents and energy were honed down to one prayer, ‘Use me for your glory, Father.’”
I wept openly as my friend continued. “Ann, God is teaching you that the job is important, yes, and He will see that you do it well despite your feelings of inadequacy. But beyond that, He is teaching you that your real career is to glorify Him and bring others to Christ. That woman saw the work of God that has come to fruition in a wonderful aroma of Life without a word from you. Now you will pass it on to her. That is the real job we all have been given, Ann.”
The air of life the woman smelled in me cost me years of trial, but it cost God His Son. His death is the perfume of life I wear in this world. It costs me nothing compared to everything it cost Him.
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