Thank God for the Rain

I was excited to hear thunder last night during one of my trips to the bathroom. I figured the rain would be brief, like it has been lately. I love to snooze when it rains. I also like to sit outside on the porch and watch it rain and see the plants gulp up the much needed water.

I have had a good week. Probably pushed it a little too much since I paid for it yesterday. Today, won't be much different, although Grandma Judy is taking the kids today for a play day, so I will have some time to rest too. Jade and I need to locate a birthday present for Lauren. She will be 7 in a few weeks! I can't believe it. Part of her gift was a pedicure we did yesterday. We got to spend some time with my mom, which was very special. Lauren cracked me up, though. Her nail tech was a middle aged male and really embarrased her. She wouldn't even look him in the eye. Mom and I got a kick out of it. She would look side ways at mom and I and just grin uncomfortably. Poor thing...but her nails looked great.

We've had a busy week full of visitors too. Sorry if I have missed some folks. Since I don't sleep well at night, I don't usually get up until lunch time now, otherwise, I'm really urpy and just not right.

Tanya, I am so glad yesterday's devotional was a good one for you. By the way, you are a very good writer, thank you for sharing.
Please enjoy today's devotion.
Thank you all for your persistant prayers.
Love,
Becca

July 17, 2009
The Stinky Sour Sippy Cup
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life"
(2 Corinthians 2:14-16a, NIV).

Friend To Friend
Last summer, I flew to Nashville to record vocals for a CD project. My girlfriend, Kerri, and I had spent the last day of my trip in a studio, recording background vocals. When we were finished, I had to high tail it to the airport in order to catch my flight home.

Kerri, a young mom, enthusiastically offered to take me to the airport, and I gladly accepted. I'm all about spending time with my friends and catching up on life! As we made our way out to the car, Kerri apologetically mentioned that her daughter had dropped a Sippy cup of milk in her car the day before, and that she hadn't been able to locate it.

"I will be more than happy to take you to the airport, Gwen," she said, "but there's just no telling what my car is going to smell like!"

"No problem!" I said. "I'm a mom! I've dealt with many-a-missing milk Sippy cup in my day. How bad can it be?"

Did I mention that it was one of those "you can fry an egg on the sidewalk," dog days of August? Yep. It was! You know where this is going, don't you?

As we opened the car doors, Kerri and I were smacked silly with the stinky smell of sour milk. Not just a subtle smell, mind you -- but a dominant, "been sitting in the 100 degree weather all day" smell. It wreaked something fierce! We laughed until we almost cried at how horrible it smelled as we made our way down the expressway to the airport.

Sounds kind of funny, but smells matter. Some smells, like a stinky, sour milk Sippy, are offensive. They make you want to escape their presence. While other smells, like fresh baked bread, or a freshly bathed baby, can be greatly pleasurable and inviting. Which type of smell best represents your presence and persona?

We need to remember that our attitudes and conversations give off a smell as well. The apostle Paul said, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life" (2 Corinthians 2:14-16a, emphasis mine).

Does your attitude give off an aroma of Christ? Are those around you drawn to Him as a result of the love and peace you display? Do your conversations consistently honor God, embody the fruit of the Spirit, and expel the fragrance of life ... or are they sometimes laced with bitterness, resentment, anger, complaining, and gossip? It's time to locate and throw away our stinky, sour attitudes, and ask the Lord to renew our minds. Let's run the race before us as women of honor who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, give off an aroma of Christ.

Let's Pray
Holy Father, please forgive me for all of the times I've allowed sinful behavior to creep into my thoughts and conversations. I ask that You will now, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV).

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.