Marissa and I first met through World Harvest at LEAP 2005. (http://whm.org/go/vision-trips/london) She came through Assessment & Orientation (A&O) in December. She did her undergrad in art at Westmont and then got her masters at Boston University in fine art in studio teaching. Check out her artwork online. http://www.zhibit.org/msheaman Excellent drawings, Marisssa!
"For we are to God the aroma of Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:15
It was like a shot of adrenaline to read this the other day. I've read it many times, but something different happened that day.
It sunk it. A light came on. The Spirit breathed life into it.
I can't believe that I don't have to go around "striving" to be the aroma of Christ. I am. I already am. That is what Jesus did on the cross. He took away my stench, my rot, and instead when the Father sees me, He smells...inhales Jesus....
Like lavender, or night jasmine or bbq or garlic in wine and butter...but better, so much better.
I'm nothing short of lovely. Perfect. Miraculous. That's what Jesus did. He made an exchange. Him for me. Who He is for who I am.
What would it look like if I actually started believing this? Living like this is true. Like I have nothing to prove. What if I started dealing in the reality that there is a God and His relationship with me is one of Father. Friend. Dare I say, confidant, even?
Maybe it would be ok to feel pain. To heal. To not go around providing for myself. Maybe I wouldn't care what my house looked like. Maybe I would tithe more. My money worries would begin to melt. Maybe I would start praying for the house that I can't afford downtown because He can do that. Maybe I wouldn't clean as often or feel the need to read parenting books. Or maybe at times I would clean more often. Maybe I would buy that lavender fabric softener that is a bit more expensive or maybe I'd wait because He'd give me something better because He made me to like lavender fabric softener and He cares about that. Maybe I would quit my Bible study. Maybe I would never darken the doors of Wal-mart again. Perhaps I would seek first His kingdom because I desperately want others to experience His extravagance. Or maybe I would stand up for all of us mothers who get handed mothering "to do" lists and only get challenged to be "mothers" and nothing else by some. Maybe I would love and engage those people who tell me that instead of being synical. Perhaps I would start wearing pointy toed shoes occasionally and care to be feminine and beautiful. I might start to paint. Or not feel guilty that I'm not painting. Maybe I'd get over myself and put Abe in short-alls because I'm in Greenville. Music would be better. I'd probably laugh more. Or be ok when I'm not laughing.
Overall, resting in this Jesus...is better. Much better. I was able to rest today. And if He can do that for me...an anxious, fearful, disbelieving, guilty ridden woman...
The snow started to fall this afternoon and isn't supposed to stop until tomorrow night. I took this picture at a city park I enjoy visiting. The snow is a wet snow so you can hear the snow as it hits the ground & roof of the house.
This is the same park in November
Kids playing Ring Around the Rosy in the park
My shoes playing in the snow
