Dear Family in Jesus Christ!
Turning to the Bible to learn about the Jew's use of fragrant oils throughout the centuries makes for an interesting overview of our faith's history. (Now, I don't claim to have covered the topic to exhaustion!)
- All the way from institutionalized incense for the Altar Ceremonies under the old covenant (e.g. Exodus 30)
- to deliberate use in beauty care and personal hygiene in hopes of being found fit to meet a King (e.g. Esther 2)
- to the anointing of a King (e.g. 1. Samuel 16)
- to the anointing of Jesus as a preparation for his burial (Matthew 26)
- to Paul's metaphor that God diffuses his fragrance through believers of Jesus, to some a scent of life, and to others a scent of death (2. Corinthians 2).
The common denominator in all instances is that the use of fragrant oils was deliberate. It was either commanded by God as a prophetic expression, related to personal hygiene to be set apart from the common folk (potent scents derived from sources such as cinnamon, lavender, rose buds, herbs, and you name it were used) or a metaphor used by the Apostle Paul that falls in line with the traditional use of fragrant oils, namely that believers and their lives become God's temple. He fills them with his spirit just like the scent of the incense once filled the area of worship and sacrifices dedicated to God. I also hereby emphasize that the fragrant oils they used were derived directly from nature.
The use of fragrant oils in our daily lives has not changed completely. Only that "fragrant oils" have been replaced by chemical mixtures, usually starting out with alcohol and ending with something unpronounceable. I, myself, used to love to drench myself with the spicy and pleasant (to me) scent of a perfume called "Sun". That was until I was made aware that my use of perfume may weaken my thyroid even more and cause other problems in my system. Here is a little example: since I loved my "Sun" scent so much, I added the "Sun" lotion to my regiment. The onsetting rash on my arms, followed by a visit to a dermatologist, followed by using a medical cream to treat the rash, was eventually traced back to the use of the lotion and cured simply by ceasing to use it. (Did the doctor ask me if I had started a new lotion? No, he didn't. No judgement here- just a good reminder that a doctor's focus is not your lifestyle choices, but how he can treat your symptoms.)
Ever since then, I have been on a dedicated journey to cleanse my personal care arsenal from anything harsh and chemical; driven by a passion to attain optimal health naturally. By trial and error, spending money on expensive products, and then finally finding an affordable regiment that works for me, I can conclude that the results toward my health are amazing. There is just one side effect that I didn't see coming...
At THIS POINT this post suddenly turns shockingly self serving. There isn't really any way around it. Let me cut right to the chase:
"Your perfume makes me sick."
Ridding my life of toxic chemical influences has made me sensitive, you might say extremely sensitive. And I know I am not the only one! But, unfortunately, there are still enough people out there that don't have the slightest clue that next to harming themselves by using artificial fragrances, they are harming other people as well. Second-hand perfume. Uuuggghhh. Onset symptoms: For me it's mostly nausea and headaches. I can't even use my beloved "Sun" anymore without having a terrible day!
For us sensitive noses, we don't feel like smelling the roses at the first sense of artificial scents in facial or hand lotion, body lotion, hairspray, leave-in conditioner, room sprays, cleaning products, deodorants, and the list goes on!
This leads me to pose the question to you, keeping in mind the deliberate use of fragrant oils back in the Bible days; why do you use perfume? What for? What is your motive? Again, no judgement here. I'm just here to inspire (and honestly to hopefully make sensitive noses's lives a little more pleasant).
Probably most people use perfume because they enjoy that particular smell and they reckon it will enhance their appearance. Others use perfume to mask their smoking or having been exposed to an unpleasant odor such as fried food.
Now, considering the attempt to enhance your appearance: in German we have a phrase that translates to "I can't smell you", meaning "I can't stand you". I'm not saying that stinging sweat smell is preferable over toxic whiffs of perfume but who likes nausea and headaches that could have easily been prevented? Also, please consider that not everyone shares the same idea of what a good smell smells like. Who would like to be in a room with someone who reeks of an offensive smelling perfume?
Well, the conclusion of today is that I want to remind you that God wants to smell through you. He wants to be the main thing others "smell", or pick up on, are subconsciously or consciously aware of, when you enter the room. Is your perfume maybe in the way because people are sickened by it?
Here is one idea of how we can find a compromise: Essential oils.
These undiluted and pure oils are free of anything harsh or toxic and, if used scarcely, can meet your need for you to smell like more than "just yourself" and will usually leave sensitive noses at peace. Please know though that since they are very potent not everyone will enjoy your choice of natural scent. We're just not accustomed anymore to smelling like cinnamon buns or a lavender bush. Instead of using toxic spray deodorant or antiperspirant try salt crystals as found at Coborns or Norwex. An easy way to lower your risky exposure to chemicals and to making people like me be more happy around you! You can experiment with adding a drop of essential oil to your wet salt crystal to add a natural scent to your deodorant. There might even be scents that cause you (or others) discomfort. Again, it is trial and error, with the up side being that these oils are not expensive and you can get them even at Walmart. Essentially you want to be mindful of yourself and others when you use essential oils. Doesn't that sound like something Jesus could have said?
Be blessed abundantly!
