Director's Corner

How do you smell? 

Returning home after three weeks of joyful service (mission trips), my spirit was flying high, but my body was crying out for mercy.  During my travels I had picked up a respiratory virus and some foot fungus.  My third ailment was self inflicted.  When I travel I take along my jump rope so I can work out even if the conditions aren't suitable for running.  Not being the type that likes to do anything in moderation, it seems I had overdone my jump roping and my left ankle was in pain also.  I began to search for something to apply to my three ailments.

The Bible talks about the "balm of Gilead."  I checked an online Bible dictionary and it helped me understand that this was an oily substance which would flow from certain trees in Gilead when an incision was made through the bark.  The substance was very precious.  It was celebrated for its medicinal qualities, and was circulated as an article of merchandise by Arab and Phoenician merchants.  The balm of Gilead was a highly valued substance because it brought healing to those who applied it to their wounds. 

Since I didn't have any balm of Gilead handy, I decided to use Vicks vapor rub, foot creme, and tiger balm to sooth my pains.  My husband said I smelled "really interesting." (I think that is a kind way to say, "You stink!")  But that reminds me of a verse,

  2 Corinthians 2:14-16 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.  15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.