"Now thanks be to God..who through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ." (2Cor. 2:14-15 NKJV)
Each time I am in a market, walking through the soap aisle, I pause to pick up a bar of Camay (if I find one there) and put it to my nose so that I might once again smell the fragrance that escapes from out of the wrapper. Immediately, my memory is transported to the early 1960's, my maternal Grandmother's ("Mammo" to us grandkids) home, which had wooden floors, a fireplace in the living room, and a big back yard to play in (with tall trees and lots of grass). I specifically remember that she kept the butter in a holder on the kitchen table, never in the icebox.
I spent each weekend with her and though I can't remember all the details of every visit, I remember that she consistently prayed with me, made me feel good about myself by the affirmation she would give me, and would always say as we would race to get our pajamas on at night, "the last one in bed is a rotten egg!" She always let me win those races.
She got sick when I was about 4-1/2 years old, and moved in to live with my Mom, Dad, little brother and I. She had bone cancer that had spread to her spine and brain. I didn't get to see her often when she lived with us, as she was in her own room and my Mom took care of her, but I remember that I loved her very, very much. I remember that my own parents didn't know how to praise me or make me feel loved, but my Mammo did.
Isn't it amazing how certain aromas or fragrances stimulate memories or feelings; some may be sweet, some painful. I often wonder, especially when I read God's Word, what kind of fragrance I am to others. Do I bring the fragrance of God's grace and love, or when I leave the room, do those in the room wish they had an air freshener they could spray something in the air to remove the unpleasant odor I left behind? My heart's prayer is that I might be the former and certainly not the latter.
There is one who recently left us and went Home to Jesus, but the fragrance she left behind is still strong and sweet. A fragrance that was uniquely hers and one that sets an example for me. Her name was Tammy Litton and I loved her so very much.
Her fragrance is evident when I pass by the row that included the chair she used to sit in during our evening church services (her husband is our Senior Pastor). Her fragrance still lingers where she played the oboe in our church orchestra. The sweetness of her fragrance is there when you read the words her husband writes about her life on his own blog spot. When I see the results of her life's work as they walk by...her children Josh, Tyler and Kayla, I am reminded of the depth of her fragrance. When my mind's eye thinks of Tammy, I hear that wonderful laughter of hers, and I envision her eyes sparkling, as her face crinkles with that absolutely beautiful smile. She could find humor in ANY situation, and often did, much to the joy of those around her.
Her fragrance is strongly evident in the First Baptist North Mobile School of Music, the culmination of a long standing dream of hers. Those who teach at that school do so in honor of the desire Tammy had that children would know about one of the greatest expressions God has given us for life and worship....music. I have recordings of songs she sang years ago and some more recently; when I listen to them I am reminded of the immense fragrance of love of the Father that her voice emitted.
Her fragrance still lingers in the lives of those to whom she shared the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, not only through verbal witness, but the witness of her life. She loved Jesus first and foremost, but devoted herself to her husband, children, her music and ministry. She took the role of wife as her greatest calling and lived out the command God gives to wives in His love Letter to us, when He says we are to "submit ( a choice given out of love and honor) to our husbands as unto the Lord" (Eph. 5:22). She protected her family fiercely and I especially loved her for that.
I recently came upon a cookie receipe that I had asked her for and her footnote to the receipe said, "these are Ed's (her husband) favorites. Can you define 'good'? " Sounds just like her!!
I met Tammy in 1992 and I came to know Jesus better because of her friendship and influence on my life. Her days were packed and busy and in what seemed to be the length of a breath, she was gone. But what she leaves behind is the fragrance of Christ. What a fragrance! What a legacy!
I find great comfort in the words of Pastor Johnnie Hunt, spoken in the closing sentence of Tammy's eulogy....
"good night Tammy. See you in the morning."
Teresa