The Sign of the Deodorant Cross

One might not think that deodorant is central to the story of how I became a Christian. That person would be wrong. It did play an important role. Sometimes my friends and I like to discuss very important issues. Somewhere between politics and theology the topic of deodorant usually comes up. Let’s face it; deodorant is a very important issue. The stuff keeps us smelling nicely! There are many roads that this conversation could go down. A whole evening could be devoted to all the different brands there are on the shelves today. Some other discussions include: stick vs. gel, flavor vs. antiperspirant. Where should deodorant be kept: in the bathroom, or in the bedroom? How should deodorant and aftershave be used effectively together, so that we are not walking stenches that require others to wear oxygen masks? Do you circle around the armpit hair, or go straight through the pit? Not to mention, there is a whole list of sub-topics that could be discussed specific to each brand.

When we arrive at this very import discussion of deodorant, a certain subtopic always seems to come up when I am around. That is, how I used to wear my deodorant in 7^th grade. It has not been the brand that I have changed since then (I am an old faithful to Old Spice: High Endurance), nor has it been the room in which I keep my stick. I have not really changed my stance on not to use a lot of aftershave (I have a beard so I do not get to use it too often), nor have I changed my technique (I still go straight through my armpit, not to “skirt” the issue so to speak).What has changed is where on my body I use my deodorant. I still use it in my armpits, always have and always will, but in 7^th grade, I used to cross myself with it. Much like some Christians traditions do with their hands in church today, I would cross myself with my stick of deodorant. I would start at my lower abdomen and bring the stick up to just below my neck bone, and then I would go strait across from nipple to nipple.

This sounds ridiculous, I know. I admit that on some level, I just wanted to attract some girls because I smelled so good. But why the sign of the cross? If I merely wanted to attract girls, I could have just scribbled on my chest with my deodorant. Why the cross? Because something significant had happened in my life the summer before 7^th grade. I was making the sign of the cross on my chest with my deodorant to remind myself of that significant experience, however silly this act might have been.

The summer before 7^th grade, I was invited by one of my friends to go to Camp Fireside. It is a Christian camp in New Hampshire. I had been raised in the church but the idea of something being church related and really fun sounding blew my mind. I went with my friend that week and had a life changing experience. I realized that I had to decide how I was going to live my life. This was a time when I was becoming my own person. While I was not abandoning my Christian upbringing, I was living life for myself. I had to decide whether I was going to continue on that path, or if I was going to make Christ and living for him THE priority in my life. I chose the latter. For my 7^th grade year, I crossed myself with my deodorant as a reminder of that commitment.

In retrospect, I can see how God orchestrated everything to my benefit, because of what happened the next summer. The day I arrived home from camp for the second year, my parents had some big news to tell me; they were getting a divorce. God had prepared me just enough to handle this situation by relying on him. I had been a committed Christian for 1 year and found myself at another crossroads, requiring another decision. I could reject my faith, give in, and wallow in despair at how bad the world is, or, I could continue in my faith relying on God for my strength to get thorough this difficult situation. In John 6, many of the disciples are leaving Jesus because they said it was hard teaching. When they left, Jesus asked the 12 disciples if they were going too. Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Like Peter, I too realized that Jesus is the only one who can offer eternal life, and life to the fullest in this world.

It has been 13 years since I originally made my decision to live for Christ. While I do not cross myself with my deodorant any longer, the commitment behind that act is still going strong. There have definitely been struggles; many ups and downs, but I am continuing in my commitment to Christ.