Monday, June 09, 2008

The Fragrance of Christ

Well, keeping up two blogs is proving to be a challenge....and wait until it becomes THREE!!! (If you want to read short daily devotionals, check out my other blog "Pondering in His Presence".)

My son is currently preparing for his Grade 10 school exams. That's right, summer holidays haven't begun for us over the border yet. He still has a couple of weeks to go. As we drive to school each morning we pray over his day and commit it to the Lord. This morning I was remembering the anxiety of exam time when I was a child. I would study hard and feel pretty confident, but I would still battle nerves when the exam paper was placed before me.

As a little girl my Mom would always pray with me before I left home for school. In fact, she would pray with ALL the friends that came to call on my sister and I to walk to school. At times our front hall would be filled with a dozen youngsters. I don't know that my sister and I were really that popular, but our home was known for refreshing cold drinks of water and candy, so it was a wonderful half-way mark for many making their journey to school each morning.

My Mom had another beautiful practice as well. On exam days she would spray a little perfume on my wrist and remind me that when I was writing the exam, and maybe a question appeared a little daunting, the aroma of the perfume would remind me that she was at home praying for me.

One day when I arrived at school I was talking with a girlfriend when suddenly she asked, "What smells so nice"?

I answered, "It's my Mother's prayers".

She replied, "They sure do smell nice".

God's Word tells us that our prayers should rise as a sweet smelling fragrance to Him.

Whenever you apply a little touch of your favourite scent, may the lovely aroma throughout the day remind you to take all your needs to Him in prayer.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joy, I sure wish I had heard of perfume on the wrist before (I will be sure to use it next year!)
I also have a son in 10th grade. He just finished exams last Thursday and I am so glad to have it over with!
Can't wait to meet you at She Speaks!

Tracy said...

What a lovely practice and such a beautiful thought. (Your Mom sounds so precious.)

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Oh my! What a beautiful and touching remembrance! I love your answer to your friend's question about what smelled so nice! And to just think we have Jesus making intercession for us always! Awesome!

God's got His hand on you my friend! You are doing grand writing! It's very meaningful and right to the point!

God bless you!
Marilyn in MS

Catherine said...

I love that story Joy and had forgotten about it. Precious memories for sure!

Will be praying for Chris as he writes his exams. Mmmm...may I suggest some of Gord's aftershave rather than your perfume to help remind him you're praying? :o)

swilek said...

I love that reminder your mom left for you...one day if I ever have children, I may "borrow" that idea!!! What a wonderful spiritual heritage you have!

Yolanda said...

Joy,

An amazing testimony of your Mom's love and faithfulness at being a MOM and to what she believed in....GOD!

I can't even fathom my Mom doing this, but I want to start this with the children that are a part of my life today. THANK YOU for sharing!

Aw....the fragrance of Christ.

Doesn't get much better, does it?

Love ya!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful thing to do! I love that! It reminds me of one of my favorite hymns...

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain"

Thanks, Joy!
Rebecca

Anonymous said...

Thank you again and again.

This was amazing... especially during this time of struggle.

I think I am going to have to try this practice... for myself to remember. To remember each day that I need to let go of these things to God.

Love you,
Heather

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

What a priceless memory! I will remember your mother's words the next time I apply some fragrance. Does deodorant count?

peace~elaine

Leah Adams said...

What a beautiful story about the perfume!! Makes me wish I had a little girl so I could do the same with her.

Leah

Sita said...

What a wonderful fragrance your Mom left...any ideas for a teenage son?...You have a precious heritage...

SheriYates said...

beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I just stopped by to say hello and get a preview before hopefully seeing you @ She Speaks! Love your blog! What a precious story!

Sheryl said...

Oh that is so beautiful. What a treasured memory that is. "The scent of your mother's prayers". Wow, that gives me something to be striving for, thanks for spurring me on. Hope all goes well with exams.
-Sheryl

Kelley said...

OH I LOVE that!! What an amazing gift your mom has given to you (and everyone who you have shared this with). Thank you Joy for sharing your heart and be sure to thank your mom for those of us who are impacted by it!!

LOVE,
Kelley

Sharon Sloan said...

Whoooo-eeeee! Congratulations Joy! May HE continue to bless your heart!

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Congratulations Joy on being chosen to be a part of the P31 broadcasts! I remember loving this post the day I read it several months ago!

God bless you!
Marilyn

Kimberly said...

Oh, I LOVE this! What a tender blessing! How wonderful that you have such a legacy of love and prayer that you can pass on!

Blessings and congratulations! Looking forward to hearing this one on the radio! :)

Heaven said...

I'm here from Lysa's blog, and I can see why your post was chosen. What a beautiful picture you have painted about the aroma of Christ. Awesome, awesome, awesome, and so very encouraging! (With tears falling)

Angie said...

I'm here from Lysa's blog, and love this. What a sweet reminder of His faithfulness through your faithful mother. May we all be that fragrance of Christ!

Flamingo said...

Wow! what a great model for motherhood! i'm so focused on getting kids out the door and (waking up with my coffee) that I never think of praying with them....I will definitely try to incorporate this in my daily routine! Love the perfume thing too!

Congrats on being chosen!

Laurie Ann said...

What an awesome blessing your mother was...and your blog is a sweet fragrance of joy...congrats on being chosen!

Amy Jo said...

Oh! That is so, so sweet. Thank you for sharing. I'm just dropping by from Lysa's to say "Congratulations" on being chosen. How exciting! God is SO good!!! Thanks for inspiring and encouraging. Sweet blessings, Amy in OR

Sita said...

Hey Joy, I posted my congrats on your current post..but, no harm in saying it twice, Congrats!...get the feeling God is opening that door a bit wider!?

JottinMama said...

Hi! I just had to tell you that the perfume prayers just touch me so! What a lovely idea! So sweet...so motherly...so tender.

Thank you for sharing!

Have a wonderful day,
Kate :)

Shanda said...

Joy ~ I linked over from Lysa's blog today to read, "The rest of the story..." What an amazing idea! I think there will be a bunch of fragrant children walking school halls! I may adapt it for my sons and use a dab of Dad's cologne...

Sweet Blessings!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story! This touched me. I'm truly blessed having stopped by here via Lysa's blog!

Congratulations on being one of her picks!

Many blessings,
Rena

On Purpose said...

Thank you Joy...this is very touching and meaningful. More than anything I desire to encourage and lift up my boys!

Amy L Brooke said...

That was really great and really sweet. I had read it yesterday and not had time to comment. I'm glad Lysa mentioned it so others could be touched!

Unknown said...

I linked from Lysa's blog. I cannot wait to share with my girlfriend and husband the stories about the perfume and praying for kids who come over. I can't wait to do that, starting with nieces and nephews now. Thanks for sharing your beautiful story! God bless!