This week I had the distinct joy and privilege of cleaning some of the bathrooms at the church where I work. While doing my best to play the part of “Mr. Clean,” I noticed something.
We have those room deodorizers in the restrooms; you know, the kind that spray every 9, 18, or 36 minutes? I had noticed a couple of weeks ago that the can on one was empty. As I cleaned, I changed out the empty canister for a full one. As I pulled out the empty can, I made an observation. Though the deodorizer was gone, the batteries firing the mechanism that sprayed the scent were still active. It continued to try and spray…even though the can was empty!
Have you ever felt like that automatic deodorizer, having your nozzle continually pushed when you know there is nothing left on the inside? The realization that all of us must have our “cans” refilled is painful sometimes, but it’s so refreshing when we take time out to let the Spirit fill the “cans” of life up again.
Stay filled up! A full “can” has consequences that benefit everyone that comes through your world. You can be the change in the sometimes rotten situations with which you come in contact. Allow Christ to continually refill you so your life can be the fragrance that sweetens the room, or possibly someone else’s life!
You know, I went back to that same restroom later in the day and guess what I noticed? Oh how sweet the restroom smelled! It was like a new place. I had forgotten how sweet of a smell “apple cinnamon” was!
So keep your “can” filled regularly! Your life may just be the “apple cinnamon” that someone out there needs today.
Proverbs 27:9 (MSG), “Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.”