A Delightful Aroma

Read: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

A delicious aroma drifted through the door as Audrey walked into the house. She inhaled deeply, wondering for a minute what it was. I know—apple pie! Maybe Mom will let me have a piece before supper. Her stomach growled as she went into the kitchen. No Mom. No apple pies either.

Audrey found her mother in the living room. “I was just reading an email from your teacher,” Mom said, grinning. “I think you’ll be pleased to hear what she has to say.”

Mom turned to her computer and read the email out loud. “It’s such a delight to have Audrey as one of my students. She often gives up her free time to help her classmates and has befriended the new girl from Indonesia. She is like a breath of fresh air in our class. By the way, she invited me to visit your church sometime, and I’d like to do that.” The email was from Mrs. Hollis, Audrey’s teacher at school.

Mom beamed and gave Audrey a big hug. “I’m so proud of you, honey!”

Audrey looked pleased. “Hey, where’s the apple pie?” she asked. “I know you made one—I can smell it. Can I have a piece?”

Mom furrowed her brows. “Apple pie? I didn’t make any…oh, it’s the candle.” She pointed to the candle burning on the mantle. “It’s an apple pie spice candle.”

“Oh.” Audrey was disappointed. “It made me hungry for apple pie.”

Mom smiled. “You know what? I think your life is like that candle. It made you hungry for apple pie because it smells so good, and I believe your actions and attitude at school have made your teacher hungry for what you have—I think that’s why she wants to come to church.”

“I made her hungry for church?” Audrey asked, confused.

“Not church, exactly—Jesus,” said Mom. “Your teacher doesn’t realize she’s really hungry for a relationship with Jesus, but she sees something in your life that appeals to her. I think that seeing you display Jesus’s love in the way you treat others is making her want the real thing—Him.” Mom grabbed her keys. “Come on. That candle is making me hungry for apple pie too, so let’s run to the store and pick one up!”

–Barbara J. Westberg

How about you? Do your actions and attitude make people want to be around you? Does seeing how you treat others make them want to know more about Jesus? As you show others love, kindness, patience, and helpfulness, they get a taste of who Jesus is and what knowing Him is like. As people interact with you, they may become hungry for what you have—hungry to know Jesus.

Today’s key verse: We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:15 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Make others hungry for Jesus