Hello ,

My friend Christina Osborn wrote something recently that was so spiritually poignant that I just had to share it with you:

This morning I was outside on my patio attending to my plants. All of a sudden I realized there was a wonderful, sweet, minty-chocolate smell coming from somewhere. I looked around and a moment later realized I had accidentally stepped on and crushed a leaf from my chocolate mint plant. It was ground into the cement slab I was standing on. Naturally, I felt bad I had crushed the poor little leaf, but at the same time I marveled at the fact that in doing so it had made my world a little better - a little sweeter - a little nicer to be in.

At that same moment the thought crossed my mind that when others in life or just life itself crushes me and grinds me into painful little pieces - I hope that instead of getting angry, unkind or responding in a mean or nasty way, that I can somehow, some way be more like that poor little crushed chocolate mint leaf and make that moment a little better - a little sweeter - a little nicer to be in. 

I can tell you, it's only through the redeeming power of Christ. 

2 Cor. 2:15 "Our lives are a Christlike fragrance rising up to God. This fragrance is perceived by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing." 

Thank-you Christina for this wonderful life-lesson, and thank-you Heavenly Father for showing her this simple reminder of Your faithfulness during life's crushing load that we may often feel.  

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word 

Suggested Daily Bible Reading 

Morning - Psalms 55-56

Evening - Psalm 57