This was a fun Garden Blessings Coloring Book page to color. It made me think of spring, cheerful colors, chirping birds, and my favorite early blooming flowers… especially those that tickle my nose with their fragrant delight… lilacs being my favorite!
We are all attracted to things that smell good, aren’t we? But I have discovered that certain things that smell really sweet to me can be almost repulsive to others… such as my favorite Stargazer Lilies! In fact, some of my friends, not only don’t like the smell, but even the fragrance of their potent blooms as it fills the air can make them physically sick. So sad.
But the same is true with the sweet fragrance of Christ.
When we give our lives to Christ and allow Him to live in us and through us… we will… or at least should… smell like Jesus in the world. The more sold-out we are… the sweeter the smell. First to God. Then to those around us. Wherever we live… wherever we go… the fragrance of Christ fills the atmosphere. Sweet like lilacs to those who are being saved and… maybe more like Stargazer Lilies among those who are perishing… especially those with serious allergic reactions to Christlikeness. Some will run. Some will hide. Some will become angry that we even wafted our fragrance in their direction. I’ve seen a few of those in my day and it’s not pretty.
So coloring this page has made me think personally about my life and how I smell. Not just outwardly to other people… because we can fake that if we need to. But it made me think about how I am called the fragrance of Christ to God first and foremost. So I thought about how I smell inwardly where only God can see and get a sniff… my heart, my attitudes, and my motives in doing good. I don’t want to smell good just so the world will like me… but I want my aroma to be sweet because my heart is right and because I want Jesus to be able to make Himself known to those around me… as He lives in me and through me… through my faith, my love and my words.
I do want to smell good… and hopefully sweet… but I know I’m not perfect by far so on those days when I have pity parties or am short with my husband or frustrated in traffic… I know I stink. But God knows my heart. And He hears my prayers… and forgives me when I realize I’ve stunk and I’m sorry. I don’t want to stink and He knows it. And He knows neither do you. But we just do sometimes. And that’s why “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice of God.” He was the first, and most beautiful, sweet-smelling fragrance to God… and because of Him we can be too. I love this!
So together in the Lord, let’s you and I fill the heavens and the earth… more and more every day… with the sweet aroma of Christ!
I’m sure by now you’ve heard how coloring can be very therapeutic… but for many of us, especially as believers in Christ, we know that coloring is not just about fun color palettes, layering techniques, and lowering our blood pressure, is it? Although we love those blessings that coloring can give us… we know that it’s even more profitable… in the same respect as Bible Journaling… when we enjoy our coloring as a precious time of drawing closer to God, hearing His voice through the words on the page, and allowing the truth of whatever verse we’re coloring to touch our hearts and make us think about who God is, who we are to Him, and what He desires for our lives. And I hope that’s what coloring is for you.
The “Fragrance of God” coloring page I colored here, can be found in the Garden Blessings Coloring Book Digital Version here or the Print Version here.
Sending love and God-hugs your way…
Oh dear friend.
You are so wise and it’s so wonderful that you share what God puts on your heart so beautifully. What an inspiration and food to feed on.
Thank you firths coloring book and bookmarks. I am blessed by them every time I sit down to color or trace.
Sending lots of love and hugs,
Barbara
Thank you Barbara for your sweet words of blessing and encouragement! It makes my heart smile to know you are enjoying the coloring book and using the Bible Journal Bookmarks for tracing into your own Bible.
Sending love and God-hugs back to you my friend!
Karla
I so agree. What a beautiful description of who we are in Christ!
The most amazing thing happened yesterday. I was working around the house when I heard a soft knocking at my door. Opening the door I saw two nicely-dressed women and a child in a stroller. I immediately knew they were evangelizing their false religion. They come around the neighborhood regularly. I greeted them cheerfully and they began their usual speech. I told them I was a Christian and pointed to the cross on my porch. Then the lady asked, “Your home smells so sweet! Are you using spice candles?” I replied that there was nothing being dispensed. She seemed so surprised. Then I simply said, “Jesus lives here, that’s why!” She came undone. She stuffed her brochure in my hand and quickly turned to go. I gave her a kind farewell and off she went. When people encounter the real Jesus, he’s so all-together lovely that it often sends the unbelievers reeling. I’m sure that lady will be wondering how to get more of the real Jesus! I hope she returns. I’d like to tell her more! When I saw your artwork displaying the fragrance of Christ Scripture, I thought of my amazing encounter yesterday. Thank you for the beautiful display of the lovely fragrance of Jesus!
What a lovely story, Betsy! Thanks for sharing.
This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read.
That is a beautiful story of the fragrance of Christ in your life Betsy… and how He sweetened your encounter with this lady. I love God moments and this one is SWEET! Thanks for sharing!!
Oh Jojo… knowing the fragrance of Christ is a beautiful thing… and I’m glad we share in it together! xoxo
Beautiful – thanks for sharing.
I bought this coloring book for my Wednesday night class at church. My Pre-teen girls and I love it. We color for a little while each Wednesday before class starts.
I love your devotions! You come off as a “real” Christian! Do you have a published devotional book?
Thank you Loralei! And no devotional at this time… maybe some day. 🙂
I love that imagery of being a fragrance for Christ! I homeschool my kiddos and we talk about engaging our senses when we learn. Sweet aromas trigger memories. In I John we see a passage that talks about the progression of our lives in faith. We go from being “little children” to “young men” to “fathers.” The characteristic of the father is that he has “known God from the beginning.” My personal understanding isn’t that this is someone who has believed all their life, but is someone who has grown so close to the Lord that they look back on the entirety of their life and see the hand of God- the aroma of grace covering even the darkest times.
Thank you for this beautiful post and the lovely coloring book that speaks so much truth!
Lovely!!!
Karla,
This is truly a wonderful saying and gorgeous art rendering by you. Thank you for sharing your creativity and the coloring books allow us to express our own view of the colors we feel.
Karla, I absolutely love your coloring books. I have the one you have out now, and impatiently waiting for more. Maybe you could do seasonal ones or some of each seasons in one. I don’t like all the hard adult one and yours are beautiful and so meaningful. I love things that are so inspiring and faith based. God has given you a beautiful gift!
Karla, You are so special and so talented. Thank you for sharing.
I love the fragrance scripture….I actually believe it. Thank you for sharing your beautiful art work, I love it
Karla never stop creating. We love you
So pretty ….. you always have such a knack for colors and blending …… not to mention the always present cute factor !! God has given us a blessing in your creativity !! <3
My mom just sent me a link to your website, and I have already been so, so blessed! This post has especially blessed me 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!
I love the smell of incense on those occasions where it is used in the Mass.
It is said the fragrance is pleasing to God. Your words, taken from 2 Cor 2:15,
are an inspiring: we are to God the fragrance of Christ.
Also, legend has it that when God created flowers, the littlest, said,
“Please do not forget me”, and God said that shall be your name!
Forget Me Not
I have enjoyed your work (especially your books which I have often given as gifts) for many years. I am enjoying exploring your new website. May God continue to bless you as you glorify Him and His goodness in your artwork.
God has given you much wisdom Karla! I love it when God gives us spiritual enlightenment in the ordinary blessings all around us! I like everything about your new website but I think your devotionals are my favorite! I have several of your books and have been blessed over and over with the spiritual lessons and encouragement you write about. It’s a joy to read God’s truths while flipping through the pages of such beautiful, peaceful artwork! You are sharing the fragrance of Christ and I thank you!
Blessings!
Nancy
What encouraging words! I can tell that I’m really going to be enjoying your blog. I’ve already added it to my favorites.
Been wanting to order some of you coloring books and this one is sweet.
I need to order a number of things from you as soon as I can.
Thanks.