Dear Jesus,
I smell you. I smell you in the morning when I awake by the light shining through my tent. I smell you while everyone is laughing sitting on the floor eating grits and butternut squash. I smell you in all the times I would not even acknowledge you are there.
Your aroma is comforting like vanilla, fresh like pine, deep, overwhelming, but ever so inviting. When I smell you it awakens my senses with each next breathe being deeper than the last hoping to catch another moment of who you are.
Sometimes I fear that I won’t be able to smell you when I leave South Africa or maybe Africa in general. I love how this is something so intimate that you and I share, Jesus. I feel like no matter if I lose this sense of smelling you or if others don’t believe I do, I know I have learned from it.
Because of smelling you I have learned how you never hold it against me that I didn’t get to read my bible during the day. You don’t love me less because I didn’t pray when I know I should have. Yet, the more I spent time in the Bible the more I feel lead to encourage others. The more intimate time I spend with you the more intimate time I have with others. The more I freely receive love, grace, and joy from you the more I freely give love, grace, and joy.
I smell you. I need you. I belong to you. I love you.
Sincerely a Daughter in Christ,
Lauren
“You are God’s children whom he loves, so try to be like him. Live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:1-2
