Guthrie reflects on her reluctance as a teenager to openly share her faith, influenced by her desire to blend in and avoid standing out. She recounts her adolescent insecurities, such as being embarrassed by her unique name and the different handlebars on her bike, which led to her not wanting to evangelize or witness to others about her faith. Even as she grew older, she continued to shy away from openly discussing her faith, fearing judgment and wanting to fit in.

Guthrie criticizes the negative portrayal of Christianity by those who preach hate, contrasting it with what she considers the true essence of evangelism—sharing the good news of God’s love in a gentle and appealing way. She likens this to telling friends about a miraculous stain remover, emphasizing that spreading the gospel should be done with the same enthusiasm and simplicity.

She cites 2 Corinthians 2:14, which speaks of spreading the “fragrance of the knowledge of [God] everywhere” (245). Guthrie interprets this as living a life that reflects God’s love and goodness, much like how Jesus shared his message through his actions and character rather than forceful words.

Guthrie recounts the gospel story of Mary washing Jesus’s feet with expensive perfume, filling the house with its fragrance.