Peppermint Projectiles

What’s all that racket? It sounded like a new family had moved in upstairs, a family that had lots of kids…, or dogs…, or both!  I envisioned several playful children running back and forth chasing their adorable new puppy.  Suddenly, my illusions were shattered when I realized we weren’t hearing puppies and children at all.  We were hearing rats!  Not just any rats, these were Rodents of Unusual Size!*  Night after night we heard them romping around back and forth above us. At one point, they were so loud, I thought they would crash through the ceiling, or pop their heads out of a light fixture and say ‘Hello!’  This had to stop.  It was time to call the building manager.

He arrived the next day with several small cloths and a bottle of peppermint oil.  He then began to unscrew the ceiling light fixtures and toss the oil soaked cloths up into the attic like little bombs of freshness.  What’s this strange ritual?, I thought.  Where’s the traps?  Where’s the poison? Do you have anything stronger than peppermint projectiles?  He told us that the rats don’t like the smell of peppermint and so they should be gone in a couple of days.  Really?, I wondered, how could something so refreshing to most, be so repelling to rats?

The incident reminded me of this passage of scripture: “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?”  2 Corinthians 2:15-16 NLT

Who is adequate indeed?  So, I had to ask myself:  As I go about my day, whether at home or out, does the fragrance of Christ emanate from me?  Am I a breath of fresh air to those I meet and talk with?  Am I living in faith, hope, and love?  Or, does the stench of selfishness, cynicism, or pride swirl about me? Hmmm…  

As followers of Christ, we cannot always control how others may respond to us, that’s true.  And, there are simply times when we blow it and say or do something that’s a lot less than Christlike. (uh-oh, there’s that stench seeping out again!)  It happens to all of us.  But I’m encouraged when I  remember:  

 “Great is his faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.”  Lamentations 3:23 NLT

Oh, and in case you’re wondering… the peppermint oil did seem to work, strangely enough.  So, if you ever have rats in your attic, try tossing a few Altoids up in there.  🙂