Sauerkraut and Roses

     As I came through the door, the stench nearly knocked me down. Did the sewer back up? Did an animal die and we somehow missed it until now? I yelled out “What on earth is that awful smell?” To which my lovable husband offered up a joyful “I made dinner!” I was pregnant at the time and smells hit funny when your hormones are out of whack, so the delicious sauerkraut and sausage he’d made for our traditional New Year’s dinner really put me through the fire. I’m not saying he quit making dinners after that but my unenthusiastic reaction sure slowed him down…
     It’s amazing how our olfactory senses can dictate our emotions or trigger a memory. We can even enhance our awareness to various scents if we just slow down and purposefully focus. For years we’ve been saying to stop and smell the roses, but are we?
     When we moved my daughter to NYC I made the following observation: “It’s a dirty place, but they’re trying. I was awakened by a street sweeper last night so I know they are at least putting forth some effort. On garbage day sidewalks are piled high with garbage bags, some of which fall off into the street where cars run over them and scatter pieces everywhere. Wind constantly blows through the skyscrapers and churns up the loose trash so if you’re particularly lucky you can witness little trash tornados in corner nooks. As we went exploring in the sweltering 90 degree heat, I felt a piece of trash waft up and get stuck on my sweaty leg, but in true New Yorker fashion, I just kept walking. Amazing thing is, the people here smell pretty good and this surprises me. Maybe they recognize the fact that they work and live in very close proximity to other humans, or maybe they feel bad how their city often delivers up odors like sewer, hot trash, or street urine…either way—thank you to everyone who sprays a little extra perfume on in the morning. As in life it makes a big difference who you stand behind.”
     2 Corinthians 2:15 reminds us “For we are unto God a sweet savour (aroma) of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.” It causes me to assess my life—Do I have the sweet aroma of Christ on me so that when others are around me they are reminded of Jesus’ love, grace, and truth? And do I metaphorically smell good regardless of my circumstances? Is my attitude pleasant even when my surroundings are difficult? Answers may vary. Not everyone agrees on what smells good, just like I was repulsed by the sauerkraut odor when I was all hormonal but hubby Jeff was proud of it. We can try to be the sweet aroma of Christ but we are told in 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” Keep making an effort anyway.
     Whatever circumstance you’re in right now, filtering it through Jesus is the ultimate purifier. I am always in awe with Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego who in the third chapter of Daniel are recorded as being thrown into a blazing furnace for standing firm on their faith. God saved them from perishing—but get this—their hair and clothes were not even singed, “nor had the smell of fire passed on them (vs 27)”. It’s good news that we don’t have to smell like the fire we go through.
     Be fragrant because we are in a dirty place with people who need encouragement. And slow down to enjoy what’s around you. Here are suggestions to consider stopping to smell: a hayloft, rain on hot concrete, grapes waiting to be picked, warm chocolate chip cookies, lanolin from the wool of a wiggly lamb, and of course sauerkraut, and roses.

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