Cynthia Mendenhall: Grandma Smells
We all smelled Grandma before we’d ever see or hear her, despite her large personality.
She loved Youth-Dew from Estee Lauder, a perfume described by marketers as exotic and opulent. I described it as icky and strong. Grandma loved her favorite fragrance, as in, she loved lots and lots of it.
Because she liked it so much, the smell I didn’t care much for permeated everything around her. Her car, her apartment, her clothing all reeked of it. Later, we’d find the scent—her scent—had more staying power than she did. The furniture, keepsakes, quilts, and books she left behind thirty years ago still give hints of her signature perfume.
I’m sure my grandmother thought she smelled delightful; I did not. My opinion never stopped her from spritzing it on with abandon.
We all put our scent out into the world, regardless of our hygiene products or cologne choices. What do others catch a hint of after spending time with us? What will be the lingering scent we leave behind in the end?
Paul addressed this in 2 Corinthians,
Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.
~2 Corinthians 2:15a NLT
It is humbling for us to think about our level of responsibility noted in that statement. But, there it is–we must be so Christ-like that our “fragrance” is His. Our character should be just like His. Sometimes, we are surrounded by people who exert the foul odors of jealousy, greed, gossip, and despair.
More than anyone, Paul realized we are not innately good, sweet-smelling people. Our attempts at becoming better smelling and more Christ-like are progressive—one of those “two steps forward, one step back” journeys. That’s why, in the previous verse, Paul shared the secret: the fact that becoming captives of Christ and allowing Him to fully lead our lives, allows each of us “to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume” (2:14b NLT).
Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.
~2 Corinthians 2:14a-15b NLT
When we exhibit Christ most and first, we become a life-giving perfume to other believers. Our sweet fragrance manifests as kindness, genuine interest, love, concern, and encouragement.
When we exhibit Christ most and first, we become a life-giving perfume to other believers.
Cynthia Mendenhall, Author of Spunkify Your Life: 8 Secrets to Living with More Focus, Fascination, and Fun
Paul knew that not everyone would enjoy the lovely scent of Christ, though. Non-Christians may find it to be offensive; they may think we reek of death and doom. Don’t allow others’ opinions to keep you from spritzing the scent of Christ with abandon. May you wear the sweet fragrance of Christ as well as Grandma wore her Youth-Dew, with confidence and in complete joy.
To whom have you shared the fragrance of Christ, in recent days?
Heavenly Father, help me to exude your “fragrances” of love, kindness, patience, and every spiritual scent. Thank You for the privilege of sharing Your Son’s message of salvation. Let this be my life’s mission.
In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Genre: Non-fiction
Copyright 2021: Grandma Smells: Cynthia Mendenhall: All Rights Reserved
Meet Our Contributor
CYNTHIA MENDENHALL
Cynthia Mendenhall is an author, speaker, adventuress, and a contributing writer to VineWords: Devotions and More. Her devotions specialize in victory over traumas such as divorce, or other life-altering situations. She encourages the reader to fully embrace her single-again status, and she inspires her to live every day to the fullest regardless of the challenges she may be working through. Once captive to guilt and fear, and hurt by the loss of a 30-year marriage, Cynthia now pursues with passion the mission of leading others into the true freedom, love, and abundant life, the believer can experience in Jesus Christ.
Cynthia is a former high school English teacher and holds a Masters’ degree in Educational Leadership. She is a Certified Christian Life Coach, a trained Chaplain, and is employed as a Career and Leadership Coach for students of Ohio University.
Her prescriptive non-fiction sits within the context of stories filled with common sense teaching, splashes of humor, and always with the Bible as her foundation. Her voice is that of a friend sharing conversation over coffee.
Cynthia is the author of Spunkify Your Life: 8 Secrets to Living with More Focus, Fascination, and Fun; Spunkify Your Life Growth Guide, and Spunkier Yet!: 8 Secrets to Living with More Fullness and Freedom
Cynthia enjoys spending time at the beach. She regularly sneaks away on all sorts of adventures, taking notes along the way as writing material inspiration. Her favorite activities include riding her cruiser bike, sunset floats in her lime green kayak named Earl, and indulging in literary novels, sipping coffee, and sampling dark chocolate.
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“We must be so Christ-like that our “fragrance” is His. Our character should be just like His.” I love this line. Thank you for sharing this story and lesson.
I will absolutely be meditating on this today:
“We all put our scent out into the world, regardless of our hygiene products or cologne choices. What do others catch a hint of after spending time with us? What will be the lingering scent we leave behind in the end?”
Wonderful devotion. Thank you Cynthia!
Cynthia, this is humorous with a beautifully illustrated truth. Thank you for your creativity in delivering this message. I hope my life reflects the fragrance of Christ.