The Sweet Fragrance of a Bruised Heart

Inside this box is my favorite perfume. I like it because it has a soft and simple fragrance. It doesn’t smell trendy, it doesn’t smell like it came from a department store. It’s nostalgic and uncomplicated. With the recent popularity of aromatherapy and essential oils, we know that fragrances have the ability to restore, soothe and heal, and tonight as I was catching up with Mrs. Cowman and Streams in the Desert, I ran across this quote:  “Bruised hearts often emit the fragrance that God loves to smell.”  

I want to share this poem here with you from this devotional, because sometimes we need to remember that God often uses trials and sufferings to remind us that the love He has for us is meant to be shared with others.

I had a tiny box, a precious box of human love- my perfume of great price;

I kept it close within my heart of hearts, and scarce would lift the lid lest it should waste its fragrance on the air.

One day a strange, deep sorrow came with crushing weight and fell upon my costly treasure, sweet and rare, and broke the box to pieces.

All my heart rose in dismay and sorrow at this waste, but as I mourned, behold, a miracle of grace Divine.

My human love was changed to Heaven’s own, and poured in healing streams on other broken hearts,

While soft and clear a voice above me whispered,

“Child of Mine, with comfort wherewith you are comforted, from this time forth, go comfort others, And you will know blessed fellowship with Me, Whose broken heart of love has healed the world.”