My first bottle of Shalimar came from my Mother's best friend when I was in Jr. High. For you younger ones that would be middle school!I was probably too young for such an extravagant gift but that's the way Aunt Charlotte was.
Immediately I loved the warm, sweet, spicy fragrance. Without discussing how many years, I've worn this fragrance off and on ever since.
When I make my bed I spray a little on my pillows, when I walk into my bedroom I am immediately greeted by a fragrance that puts a smile on my face and makes me feel like putting on a cashmere sweater and having a hot chocolate.
This fragrance warms my heart, works wonders with my body chemistry, brings back only pleasant memories, and makes me feel at home.
Isn't it funny how certain smells cause different reactions? Burned food, burning leaves (for those of you close to my age!), cut grass, rotten eggs, coffee, gas fumes from the truck in front of you, warm apple pie all of these smells and more cause us to react in some way.
In Eph. 5 the Word says, "Be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Living a life of love, the kind of love Christ exhibited, causes a fragrant offering to rise to God's throne.
I'm not talking about the kind of Politically Correct love that says to accept all beliefs as equal and all paths lead to god, or let's circle the globe and have a bottle of coke.
I'm talking about the kind of love for others that will cause you to want to sacrifice some of your comforts to help someone in need.
What kind of need? All kinds of needs, a hug, helping someone move, a phone call, some clothes or food, a smile, a blanket, yard work, giving something of yours to benefit someone else.
I don't think God sits up there with a check list watching us go through life.
I think He's saying, "Smell that? I smell something wonderful. One of my children is releasing a fragrant sacrifice into my atmosphere and it's making me smile."
My take on heaven is a fragrance like Shalimar, baked cookies, apple pie, but better!
As I walk through this life I want God to smell me coming and going, not because I stink but because I am releasing a fragrant offering to Him.
Blessings,
Wendy, Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings
Mother of Princesses and Princes
Grandmother of Royalty
