June Yates-Boykin

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As I lowered myself into the driver’s seat, arms loaded with keys, coffee, more coffee, a bottle of water and a large purse, I was slapped in the face by a horrible odor that did its best to push me back out of the car.  “Ugh!  What is that smell?”  My morning silence was broken. 

                   I scanned the car as I unloaded my essentials into their proper spots.  The sun was barely peeking its head over the horizon far enough to reach my home, but the light in the car revealed nothing that would cause the smell. 

                   My car is often loaded with books, paperwork, and supplies, but I never leave food inside.  I double checked just to make sure.  I rolled down my window thinking it must be coming from the outside, but the morning breeze brought no stench with it.  I determined to figure it out later if it persisted.  I was on my way to morning prayer, and that was more important than figuring out why my car smelled like a decaying dead rat.

                   It was already hot when I got back in my car to return home just before 7:30 a.m.  The smell itself had not only worsened, it was stronger.  The stink was empowered by the Florida sun.  This was not good news. It was June in Florida and already in the mid-80s.  Our forecast called for a 98 degree day with a triple digit heat index – and my car is black. 

                   I turned my AC on high and set it to pull in air from the outside.  I rolled down both front windows.  I thought for a moment the pungent stench was dissipating.  It was not.  The smell was simply being diffused to a tolerable level when hit by the fresh air.

                   I knew I had to find the source of the pollution and get rid of it.  I waited until I got home to search it out in case an animal had died somewhere in my vehicle.  My husband would still be home to handle a situation like that.  Pulling into the driveway I determined to start with the trunk.  I checked the trunk more as a process of elimination than in expectation of finding the culprit.  I knew what was in my trunk.  Or so I thought. 

                   As I popped open the lid, the smell forced its way right toward me, almost knocking me backward.  It was like a crowd of panicked people all rushing to get through one small exit of a smoke filled building.  That stench bombarded me and the air around me then took off in every direction.  I actually expected it to wake the neighbors. 

                   I had to brace myself for what I might find.  Dead rat was still my first thought.  Nothing at first sight except a few paper products I had picked up for the church while shopping the day before.  I reached down and moved a large 24 roll pack of toilet paper.  Now I had a grim visual to accompany the stench.  A package of four pork steaks that just 22 hours ago were a healthy pinkish color were now brown and slimy. 

                   When unloading the groceries the previous morning into the church pantry I was in a hurry so I unloaded only the perishable food items.  I didn’t notice that one of the bags had slid  underneath the toilet tissue.  The heat from the Florida sun penetrated the darkness of my trunk the entire day, and the previously perfect pork chops were now rancid.  At least I found the source of the stench, but now I had to deal with it. 

                   I immediately removed the package, carefully allowing my hands to touch only the handles of the bag.  I walked it not to my trash can, but to the community dumpster.  I left my trunk open for a couple of hours until I had to leave again to allow fresh air and sunshine to purge it from the impurities.  Still, the odor lingered in my car for two days. 

                   It is with purpose I share this story with you.  The Lord taught me some things through that experience.  I want to share them with you.

1.  Our hearts are deceivers.  I thought I knew exactly what was in my trunk.  I thought I knew it was clean, holding only a few necessary supplies.  The rotted meat was hidden beneath those supplies.  Not until I searched, still expecting to find nothing, did I notice the source of the stench.  We must examine ourselves and ask God to the do the same. 

2.  We must deal with the stench.  If anything at all is revealed in our hearts that is not like God, we must take action.  If it’s a hurt, forgive and pray for healing of our soul.  If it is a hidden sin, truly repent and pray for the grace to overcome.  If it’s a grudge or bias or jealousy, again, repent and let it go.  If I had not removed the source of the stench, it would have only continued to grow more powerful.

3.  No matter how well hidden, eventually impurities will rise to a level where they will be exposed.  They will not remain hidden forever.  Better they be exposed and dealt with before they cause a major problem in our lives.  Better that they be exposed and dealt with here in this life than when we stand before God.

4.  The process of exposure is not pleasant.  Even when Holy Spirit reveals something to us directly, the process of admitting it and accepting responsibility is never easy.  I believe that is His first means of dealing with us – the quietest, most loving way.  He tells us either in the written word, or in speaking to our heart. Remember how I was in such a big hurry the previous morning I unloaded only the perishables at the church?  I decided I would unload that morning only the foods that would spoil.  I would unload the paper products and non-perishables another day.  As I was stocking the freezer, I questioned myself.  “I thought I bought pork chops.  Where are they?”  And I answered myself, “I must have put them back and bought this pork instead.”

                   Holy Spirit pointed out to me that I was missing the pork chops.  That should have triggered me to go look again in the trunk.  It didn’t.  I didn’t think I had time to go double-check, so I simply convinced myself that the trunk was clear of all perishables and I was just confused.

                How easy it is for us to disregard an unction from the Holy Spirit.  He’s not condemning us; He’s simply trying to help us.  When I found the decayed pork chops in the trunk, that moment immediately came flooding back to my mind.  “Holy Spirit,” I said, “you tried to tell me and I didn’t listen!  I am so sorry.”  Just look at all the extra time and discomfort I caused myself because I didn’t think it convenient when the problem was initially exposed to me.

                   The Holy Spirit convicts us and reveals changes we need to make in our lives.  That is uncomfortable and often times difficult.  It is even more difficult when we don’t heed. God often has to allow a stinking circumstance to develop in our lives to get our attention and provoke us to action.    

                   5.  The affects/consequences may be felt for a while, but God will be with you.  Even after the rotted pork was removed from the car, the odor lingered two days.  It grew weaker and weaker, but was not completely gone until sometime in day three.  All of a sudden I realized I didn’t smell it anymore.  Sometimes we experience the consequences of our stinking behavior or heart conditions even after we’ve made a change.  Don’t get discouraged, keep moving forward.  You’ve been forgiven.  Maybe now  you’re learning a hard lesson so you will be more vigilant in the future.  But remember, the mercy and grace of God are with you.

                   I’m sure God didn’t enjoy the smell of rotting pork any more than I did.  Still, He didn’t get out of the car or refuse to ride with me until it was gone.  He didn’t even lecture me or remind me over and over that He tried to tell me, but I wouldn’t listen.  He just kept loving me and encouraging me.  He stayed with me through the stinky days until once again we could enjoy the ride.

©2023

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