October 3, 2026
Just so you know, when you have four granddaughters ages 7 through 14 who live with you, there is never a dull moment. Every morning you are awakened to snuggles, hugs, tickles, sometimes screams, but always entertainment.
This particular morning, Wayne and I both were ready for our day when our youngest granddaughter came running in the room. She gave her usual hugs and was a little disappointed that our bed was already made.
She ran in the bathroom where Wayne was brushing his teeth and, in her own style, said “good morning mate” to him. He answered her and then her next question was “Buddy did you shower this morning?” He told her he did. Her next sentence made us both laugh as she said: “I thought you smelled like water. At first, I thought it was me because I took a bath last night but now I know it’s you that smells like water.”
I’m sure she meant he smelled of soap or shampoo, not water.
I was thinking about this on my way to work, how water really doesn’t have a smell, and God immediately brought to my mind a scripture in John 7:38 that says “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
I felt like God was saying maybe water does have a smell especially if it’s the “living water.”
In 2 Corinthians 2:15 the Bible says, “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”
This scripture really made me think about the aroma I am carrying. Is it of Christ? I thought about all the times we are in situations that are stressful. Maybe it’s a doctor’s appointment that you are running late for, a conflict at work, traffic when you need to be somewhere on time, or maybe it’s just someone who rubs you the wrong way.
We all have these stressful situations. The question is are we giving off the aroma of Christ in these situations?
I want to be an example of Christ in everything I do and say. I want to spread the sweet aroma of Christ.
Out of our five senses, I believe the sense of smell is probably the one that brings up the most memories. By this I mean smells remind you of times in your life. I can smell caramel and think of my mom every time because she made the best caramel icing for a cake. Wrigley’s Doublemint Gum reminds me of my grandmother because she always had gum in her purse to give to us. The smell of Old Spice aftershave immediately reminds me of my dad. Aromas produce memories.
God’s desire for us is that we leave the aroma of Christ everywhere we go. As believers, we should spread the fragrance of Christ to people who do not know the love of our Savior. We are the representatives of Christ to others. Our attitudes, our behavior, our words, and our actions should leave the sweet aroma of Jesus.
Whether we are around people we know or people we don’t, believers or unbelievers, we should leave them with the sweet smell of Jesus. To be able to leave the fragrance of Jesus, you have to continually walk with Jesus.
Ephesians 5:2 says, “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
It’s a progression, not a one-time occurrence. We must walk in love, surrender to His will, accomplishing what He wants us to do. That is when we leave the sweet fragrance of Christ.
You cannot physically see the aroma of Christ, but you can definitely sense it and know when it is there. The things we say and do give others the sense that we are different. That sense and scent should be the aroma of Christ.
There are times when I fail at this, but, thankfully, I have a God who forgives and redeems. He allows me to get back on the path and walk in love with Him.
I still think it’s funny and sweet that my granddaughter thought Wayne smelled like water. I do, however, think God was trying to remind me that we as believers should leave the fragrance of the living water everywhere we go.
It’s not a perfume you can buy in a bottle to spray on you. It’s an aroma that only comes from Christ flowing through your life, words, and actions. I pray that the rivers of living water will flow abundantly from my life so that others can sense the sweet aroma of my precious Savior.
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Jill Johnson, a staff member at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother and Georgian. She is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.
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