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You visit a blog. Meet a stranger. Witness to a neighbor. After the chat, you take leave, but your vapor trail remains. What is the color of your vapor trail? Do you transmit confusing, mixed messages?
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Large ships can create a trail in the atmosphere. These trails (off the coast of France), are generally more squiggly than contrails, as the ships move much slower, so the trail is at the mercy of the wind.
Do you leave in your wake a pleasing aroma? Is the air rancid with the stench of gossip, rude words or simply stale from a dissatisfying ending?
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(Rare ground shot of a jet dumping fuel)
Your writing also lives “vapor trails.” When readers close your book, those trails linger and color how the reader feels about your characters. Do you satisfy the reader with themes that glorify God? Show God’s working for good in all things? Can readers practically smell, see, and taste the sweet Word of God through your work? Through your life?
“The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:4
What is the color of your vapor trail? Why?
What aromas to you hope to leave in your wake?
What a GREAT post and one I will be thinking and praying about all night long. I know what my heart’s desire is, but I will definitely be praying that God helps me accomplish it. I want people to experience God’s aroma when they are around me.
I hope it’s all sparkly and smells like a cup of mocha, and an ever so slight tinkle of sound like wind chimes in the distance.
Hm, I’d like my vapor trail to be the steamy white like we see crossing the sky behind passing jet airliners. Why? Because I hope my words give that sense of travel, in some way. That transporting sensation, either expanding one’s personal horizons, inspiring an inner journey, or just taking the reader for a little escape from daily routine. Fun post, Patti
Cool post Patti! I hope I leave people with a good feeling, but I know I can be really self-absorbed and in my own world, so my trail probably ends up not-so-bright sometimes.
But in my writing I really hope to leave the reader satisfied and fulfilled.
Can we say mine is purple? :0)
I love to explore restoration in my novels. I hope that is my vapor trail. :0)
This was an excellent post and so thought provoking. I hope that every aspect of my life leaves the sweet smelling aroma of Christ. But alas, I am afraid there are times when I leave a stench. Usually it is when I want to sound “cool” or “smart” and I try to make myself look more than I really am. But by God’s grace, I can clear the air and let the frangrance of Christ permeate the air around me. Here’s to a new day, full of the best odors EVER!
Deanna, praise God that the imagery spoke to your heart. I took the phrase from a sermon by my pastor, Ed Scearce, of Grace Church in Normal!
Mary, sounds like a good aroma to me!!! Coffee time here.
Joanne, your blog is a penultimate one for creating a sense of comfort yet journey, and of course the steamed milk latte aroma!!!!
Jessica, love your honest heart. Been there, done that…
I think my trail woud be pink.
My writing is very “sweet” and kind of “innocent” for not being inspirational. Sometimes I think I should write YA because of it.
Ooh, I like this, Patti.
My trail is muted, because I’m very subtle. But it’s also consistent, because I’m me across the boards. I don’t behave (or post, comment, etc.) one way with some, and others with different people.
I hope muted and consistent isn’t too boring. *sigh*
Oh I LOVE this idea! I’d never thought of it before. What I hope my vapor trail is, and what it actually is, might be vastly different. I shall keep this in mind!
Jennifer, pink, huh? LOVE it! There’s a wonderful blog called Pink Ink, http://pink-ink-pink.blogspot.com.
Janna, that is SOOO amazing as I see you as steady and subtle. WOW!!! No, muted and consistent is WONDERFUL!!!
Georgiana, hello! Too bad we can’t see our trails, as they show up in those pics I posted!!!
Hi Patti! You always think of the greatest questions! I hope my vapor trail leaves an air of encouragement and inspiration to everyone who sees it. I’m passionate about helping people discover their gifts and encouraging them to use their gifts to make a difference. What would this vapor trail look like? I’m not exactly sure, but I think it would be vibrant and free flowing and perhaps it would smell a little like chocolate. (Who isn’t encouraged and inspired by good chocolate????)
I absolutely LOVE this post. What a beautiful way to look at things. I hope my vapor trail is yellow, the color of warmth and happiness, smelling of citrus and daffodils and fresh-baked cookies.
I trust and pray my vapor trail enfuses my readers with the sweet fragrance and brilliant hues of grace, grace and more grace.
Thanks for reminding me that i leave a trail wherever I go.
LOL my vapor trail is a kaleidoscope of colors since I’m always going off in several directions and need to find my way back home.
What a great metaphor. I would hope mine is the color of love and healing – whatever that might look like to the person experiencing it.
I hope my aroma smells like chocolate or food from Olive Garden. : ) That is a great reminder to always watch our words.
Btw, that is on my “redneck” relative’s farm. He is a supersweet guy and always hosts this huge reunion. He takes the kids for flights in his airplane and lets them ride his ATVs. The kids love it!
I pray the aroma I leave reminds people of Jesus and brings them hope.
Blessings,
Susan
Sara, I can just see–and smell that wonderful vapor!
Diana, oh, I will be praying for you. I think of a kaleidoscope as multi-dimensional and flexible!!! Know that God has a plan for you and your many colors.
Deb–love that thought that the vapor will look different to different folks!
Excellent perspective, Patti, as always. I hope my vapor trail is one of encouragement and love so that my behavoir matches that of Jesus who I try every day to be like.
Unique idea! Very creative.
I’d say my vapor trail is pastel colors because they’re associated with happiness. The endings of my books are always happily ever after.
Those pictures are amazing!
Oh, this was a good post. Really gets ya thinkin. I’ve been feeling a heightened responsibility with my words lately. Maybe God is trying to tell me something. I always pause before I post something on my blog, but I have regretted some of my words. It’s so easy to let them out, but you’re right, I’ve gotta think about my vapor trail.
Thanks for a great post!
-FringeGirl
Sharon, you tirelessly promote other writers. Now if I could just see you DANCING!!!
Jill, I borrowed the words from our pastor’s sermon!
FringeGirl, my mouth has always been problematic. At least old age is slowing down one thing for the good here in Normal…
This is such a beautiful way to put it. I don’t know what color my trial is, but I’ll sure be thinking about it now.
I love this. I know my speech, sometimes colored with sarcasm, doesn’t always leave beautiful trails. But I’m working on it.
I hope my written words will leave trails of peace, hope, and wonder with laughs along the way.
Tina, dear friend, LOVE having you at “my place!” I think your trail is a gorgeous pinkish-purple. Fun yet feminine.
Patricia, so you have a sarcastic bent? Doesn’t come across in your blog!! My husband would love that!!! Yep, live with it EVERY DAY!!!
Great concept, never thought about it as vapor trails before, but you definitely feel that when you read a book.
I think I would like anyone who reads my book to be entertained and wanting to read more, I’m not sure which color would represent that.
I like this idea of vapor trails.
But it makes me feel tired. I have to think of that, too?
Today I went to get my hair cut and the stylist said it’s been falling out. Get this — from stress. I have a thin spot on the right side.
I need to think about vapor trails now?
Maybe if I just focus about Christ living in me n I can let him look after the vapor. What do you think?
I love this comparison. I hope that my vapor trail would bring honor to God and encourage others. Have a wonderful weekend!