Fragrance Or Odor

Scripture

Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.

~2 Corinthians 2:15, NLT

Quote

Water clearly reflects the sky and the trees only so long as the surface is undisturbed.

~Barry Keurulaine

To me there is a difference between a fragrance and an odor. An odor is an unpleasant smell and a fragrance is a pleasant smell like the scent of a cedar or a perfume. Personally, I want to be a fragrance but I think I might be more of an odor.  Of course Paul did say that different people sense a different smell. James said, “Let every man be quick to listen but slow to use his tongue, and slow to lose his temper. For man’s temper is never the means of achieving God’s true goodness.” I get it backwards: I am hard and slow at hearing, quick to speak and quick to lose my patience. June wanted to go to Dot’s in Hillsboro for her birthday. All our children joined us. There was a long line and it was moving slow. I noticed that one woman was holding everything up and I began to seethe. The closer I got to her, the hotter I got. She was the first server in the line and she moved like Phylis on Zootopia. Phylis was a sloth. I came to the conclusion that she was doing this intentionally. They bring out a new batch of fried tators and she is using a spoon to transfer them to the container, I said, “Just dump them,” and of course, her being a female, she heard me, gave me a go to hell look and continued to be slower than ever.

I was hotter than a two dollar pistol. June is totally embarrassed and she is bending my ear, “Will you shut up and keep moving.” No body out there will take my side other than Jason but there is no sense for any human to be so slow. Bottom line, I embarrassed my wife on her birthday and once I had cooled off, I knew I had acted shamefully. Let’s face it folks, if my patience was gun powder, I wouldn’t have enough to blow my nose. I know the LORD will forgive me but I sure wish He would free me from this sin.

My hunch is that there is a deep resentment somewhere in my soul that causes me to get angry over small things. It is a root of bitterness that I despise. The last thing in the world that I want to be is bitter. Bitter people are an odor, not a fragrance.

Extra

Battling another tooth ache. June couldn’t get me an appointment until Tuesday. My main concern is Sunday. Advil helps a little but the pain is getting worse and it is hard for me to concentrate on my work. The 49’ers eat today at 11:30 and although I may not be able to eat, I don’t want to miss it.

Visited Scotts Orchard near Hazel Green yesterday. The best way to go from here is up 65 and through Admore. It is in Madison County, about 4 miles from Carter’s Grove. You can take the Old Railroad Bed but the traffic is heavy. It is not as big as Crow Mountain but a lot closer. They do have cider and candies apples. They also have some good orange cookies. The Golden Delicious are $40 a bushel. Cider is $8 a gallon.

Have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.

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