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This week I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a lovely couple who are here the month of August as host and hostess for one of the hotel-like accommodations at Glorieta. From the moment I arrived, their hospitality has been refreshing, to say the least. As a matter of fact, after only talking with them but a couple of hours, they made this statement: “This week, we will be your parents.” What they were saying to me is not that they were instituting a curfew, or would make sure that I washed behind my ears before venturing out to dinner. No, they were offering listening ears, warm smiles, words of encouragement, and embracing hugs that might even rival that of the prodigal’s father.

It’s amazing, but not surprising, how God knows just the right people you need in your life, at any given moment, to bring exactly what is needed; even if it is through those you’ve never known.

Paul felt the same way about Philemon, and expressed his words this way . . . “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” Philemon 7

So, this week I have taken in the fragrance of Christ, and His aroma has soothed my weary soul; I’ve tasted Christ, and He has left me both satisfied, yet thirsting for more; I have seen Christ, beheld His glory, and wonder who am I that He would be mindful of me; I have touched Christ, and His embrace has been reassuring; I have heard Christ, and His words have been honey on my lips. I have been refreshed.

God, may the aroma of my life be CHRIST; may I lead others to feast from your table, and taste YOU; may others see CHRIST in me and behold HIS glory; may I be YOUR hands that others might experience the embrace of JESUS; may the words of my lips, and the meditations of my heart be of YOU, so that others may hear you and know TRUTH; and may others be REFRESHED.