A fragrance called 'grace'

Each card / project tells a story:  This is my entry for this week's Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge No 127.  The challenge is to create a project which contains flowers.  The project is based upon 2 Corinthians 2:15-16:
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"For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. "
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My favourite fragrance
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My favourite fragrance is Rose, The One by Dolce & Gabbana... it has a beautiful aroma which lingers all day... I love it and others comment on it's beautiful fragrance also.

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The art of perfume making

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I find it interesting that in order to obtain the most fragrance when making perfume, flowers require to be bruised in the process!  My initial reaction to such is that I find it such a shame to bruise any kind of delicate flower, but fortunately this process isn't wasteful, but rather part of the necessary process involved in producing beautiful scented perfumes.  Just try crushing rose petals or lavender flowers in your hands; the burst of the fragrance that comes forth is not only sweet smelling and relaxing, but the oils from these flowers are also healing.
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I am reminded of the following Scriptures:

He [Jesus] was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Jesus was wounded and bruised so that we might be healed.  God did not waste His son's bruising!

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"A bruised reed He [God] shall not break;
and a smoking flax He [God] will not snuff out." (Isaiah 42:3)

Peter Stone wrote: "Some of the trials and storms of life that we endure can cause us to feel like a broken, shattered person, a shadow of former selves.... Isaiah 42:3 spoke volumes to me. That was exactly how I felt - bruised and battered, with my passion and zeal for life virtually extinguished, leaving nothing behind but a smouldering ember." 
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A beautiful fragrance...
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He went on to say: "It reassured me greatly to know that Jesus held me gently in His hands, a bruised reed He would not break but restore to wholeness. How wonderful that although there was nothing left of me but a smouldering wick, He would take the time to gently fan that flame back into life. And that is exactly what He did. Jesus healed my bruises and rekindled my life flame, making me whole again and a stronger person through Him."

A fragrance called grace
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Sometimes, like Peter, we may suffer difficulties which drain us of our life embers and leave us feeling exhausted and deflated.  When God allows such times of bruising, He also provides grace to meet the occasion if we will humbly submit to Him.  Therefore, bruising gives opportunity for God's grace to be infused and displayed in the lives of His children.  Such grace draws people to God like a beautiful, invisible, and yet powerful scent. 

I may like Rose, The One perfume by Dolce & Gabbana but it doesn't have anything like the impact of God's beautiful and wonderful fragrance called grace... Grace is precious, available to all, priceless and yet free!  That's God's amazing grace....

Through many hardships

toils and snares,

We have already come

'Tis grace has led us safe thus far;

And grace will lead us home.

John Newton