You Are Made to be Fragrant

I read a story about Cleopatra filling her room 18-inches deep with rose petals upon a tryst with Marc Antony. She wanted him to remember her every time he smelled a rose. 🌹

Few flowers make a woman feel more beautiful, feminine and welcome than the rose. One of my purest joys comes from burying my nose in their full blooms and breathing in their fresh sweet scent. 🌹

Recently I was disheartened to learn that out of a human desire to create a disease resistant rose the fragrance gene is removed. By eliminating its fragrance, the flower becomes less susceptible to disease and pests attracted to their scent. 🌹

There is something unnatural about removing the scent of a rose because its beauty is not based solely on its appearance. There is a depth to this soft-fragrant and sophisticated flower. Unlike other flowers, the rose does not awaken one or two of our senses, but as many as four – sight, touch, smell and in some, taste. 🌹

At times, I have lived my life like a scentless rose. Although I had much to offer the world, I limited myself by only offering pieces of myself, so that I could preserve myself. 🌹

I think many of us can identify with a scentless rose. We show ourselves pretty, but hold back the essence of who we are. We don’t want to be too loud, too bold, too bright or showy, out of fear of the disease of destruction, criticism or shame. So, we hide, remove, restrain, withhold the pieces that make us whole and beautiful. The pieces that add fragrance to life. 🌹

If we want to be women who live fully and honestly, we must not alter who we are to preserve what we are. We are not delicate roses unable to withstand the hardships of life. You will not wilt away at the disease of critique, ridicule, and rejection. It hurts, but you will overcome. Do not become fragrance-free to withstand life. We are strong because we have Christ on our side and in our corner – the one who has already overcome (Romans 8:35-39). 🌹

My friend, you were not made just to be seen, but to be fragrant – liked, understood and enjoyed. Don’t play it safe. Be fully fragrant and all, because the world needs you just as you are.