On July 4, 2006, I veered off the Peachtree Road Race PTRR at the top of Cardiac Hill to enter Piedmont Hospital. Someone in the crowd
groaned, “Oh No! That guy’s having a heart attack.” He was close. Years earlier I became a cardiac patient while practicing for the PTRR with my daughter Kelly. But on that day in 2006, I exited the PTRR to see Kelly’s newest baby and my 2nd grand daughter, Molly Maney. Upon entering the elevator, those inside quickly stood aside. As I watched them pier at my t-shirt and race number, I laughed inside thinking they, too, thought I was there for an emergency check up. Same phenomena occurred when the nurses saw me entering Kelly’s room. It was only after I received a photo inside my daughter’s room, that I realized those inside the elevator–and Kelly’s room–were making way for me not because of my hurried desire to see baby Molly, but because of my soaking wet and stinky t-shirt!
How I thank God for a/c on our bus on a hot summer day. Ever wonder what it would smell like in close quarters without it? If not, there are times when 2/3 of my name lingers and reminds others of me: BO.
Fortunately, body odor can be a pleasant aroma. Remember the scent of a lovely lady?
I pray I am remembered for carrying the life changing aroma of Christ.
Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
PS: My finishing time for that PTRR was my age in minutes (59) plus the extra 5 it took me to visit Miss Molly.
