As Meg started climbing up a hill, she nervously began to grind her gears and ride her breaks. The thick smell of burning brake pad soon filled the tiny car. “Meghan, what the…”
“Mom! I don’t need your help. I have driven a stick-shift before.”
Fear fueled her anger, which fueled mine. Once, we were driving again on flat roads I asked her, “What was that all about back there!? Why are you mad at me?”
“Mom, you get me nervous,” she stated matter-of-factly, her eyes staring straight ahead.
“I get you nervous? Seriously?! But, I barely said a word.” Was she using me as her excuse for her poor driving performance back there?
“I can’t explain it Mom. You get me nervous.”
My presence was powerful in her midnight blue Elantra. I had no idea. Words didn’t need to be spoken for her to know how I was feeling while sitting in the front seat beside her. I couldn’t help but think about how as Christians we bring an invisible presence wherever we go too.
A mighty presence of the Holy Spirit, Christ in us. A sweet perfume to some, the scent of death to others. 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. 2Cor. 2:15-16
My feelings were hurt again. I’d invited someone over for dinner and at the last minute they called to say they couldn’t come. I wanted to throw my triple-layer chocolate cake out the window.
“Why do you continually poke yourself in the eye, Joanne?” Paul asked. He’s such a cool drink on a hot day.
“I guess I always have hope they will want to spend time with me.”
“Sweetheart, they’re just not that into you.” Encouragement is not his greatest gift.
But, the above scripture came to mind. Even though I don’t bring up Jesus in every conversation, could it be they feel His presence here in our home?
I’d like to think so.
I have the rotten stench of death to some. No matter how hard I try, there will be people who don’t want to hang out with me, even people I love.
What about you? Do you stink around some people you know? How have you handled those situations?
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