Perfume

Do you ever notice how scents can affect you? Some smells remind us of childhood, some of a person that we love, some of a place that we have visited. There are pleasant smells and not-so-pleasant smells and memories to match. I often get teased because the smell of a dairy reminds me of childhood and I therefore say that it smells “good.” Then I find myself explaining that there is a sweet cow/alfalfa smell about dairies that is good, even if some dairies and stockyards smell absolutely horrible.
Spring is in the air in Southern California. We’ve had intermittent rain showers that clean the air and stimulate new growth. The trees and flowers emit a bouquet of scents that are strong enough to make me sneeze, but are enjoyable none-the-less. It is a good reprieve from the smoggy smell of this area.
I went to my parent’s house last weekend and enjoyed the smell of the orange trees blooming. Then we took a drive up to my Grandparent’s. Of course, we had the windows of the truck closed the whole way, so when we opened the doors we were hit by the mountain air. The pine, oak, and other green things mixed with the brisk freshness that is at that altitude was a beautiful perfume.
Lord, thank you for blessing us with the sense of smell and for allowing us to enjoy some scents so very much.

Easter Musings

This Easter, I have begun to realize something strange about my coworkers. When I first began to work with them, I noticed that many were not unlike most people who don't know Christ. They struggle with the same problems and need the same hope. However, I have noticed lately that they are a different group of people than those that I am used to. Many grew up in the church. Some know a good deal about the Bible. Others even know the Gospel message that brings salvation. It is strange to converse with my coworkers, since their knowledge about some areas of Christianity surpasses my own. It makes me wonder if they are just churched or if some of them know Christ and just don't look like the average Christian.
Regardless of whether they have a relationship with Jesus, my job remains the same; to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that needs Him so much.

Automobile Annoyance

I got a letter from a friend the other day telling of how difficult it is to get work done on a vehicle in a third-world country. She was fortunate to break down near a village, but unfortunate that she was not near a larger town or a cell phone tower. However, she did manage to get the car worked on by a competent mechanic. She spoke of finding a mechanic who literally does all of his work under a shade tree and uses rudimentary security precautions such as locking up the spare tire inside of the vehicle to prevent theft. I was impressed at just how much he was able to do with his meager resources, but it seems that he was able to get the job done.
In contrast, I broke down three weeks ago just across the street from a modern auto shop. They were able to fix my car quickly and competently and I was back on the road 3 days later. However, my car broke down again in just a few days. Consequently, 2 weeks and 3 mechanic shops later, I should be driving my car again soon. I hope when I am in Cameroon, God will provide help like the mechanic that my friend ran into.

Just Another Day in the ER

We saved a life yesterday. A woman was brought in by paramedics having a massive heart attack. She was declining quickly and life saving measures had to be taken fast. We managed to stabilize her enough to send her off to cardiac cath lab to undergo a heart catheterization. She was literally teetering between life and death when she arrived at our door and just seemed to be getting worse for the 20 minutes that it took to get her to cath lab. But we received word less than an hour later that she survived the procedure and received a stent, a balloon pump, and a pacemaker. It is a bit of a thrill to be able to work as a team and make a definite difference in the outcome of someone who is so suddenly and severely ill.
I was a bit disappointed though, and this is why: I've seen lives saved before. Not just physical lives that will end eventually, but spiritual lives. I've seen people come to the Savior and receive true life. That is a true thrill!!
My experience last night is contrasted with what I read in Isaiah this morning.
"How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!' Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, they shout joyfully together; for they will see with their own eyes when the Lord restores Zion. Break forth, shout joyfully together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared His holy arm in the sight of all nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God."
Isaiah 52:7-10