Seasoned with Salt

           When the great American composer, George Gershwin, passed away, a man who possessed more affection for Gershwin than he did musical ability decided to compose a musical elegy in Gershwin’s honor. Upon completion, he sought entertainer and composer Oscar Levant for an appraisal of his work.

            Eagerly, the neophyte played his piece for Levant, praying for Levant’s approval. He was disappointed.

            “I think it would have been better,” Levant told him, “if you had died and Gershwin had written the elegy.”

            I wonder if Paul had speech like this in mind when he wrote that Christians should fill their conversations with grace and “season them with salt.”

            Story source: Edmund Fuller

Sticks and Stones

           An old joke I love goes like this:

Two trucks loaded with a thousand copies of ROGET’S THESAURUS collided as they left a New York publishing house last Thursday, according to the Associated Press.

Witnesses were stunned, startled, aghast, taken aback, stupefied...

            Words do matter. An ill-timed word can wound forever. That’s one reason Paul wrote, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone”(Col. 4:6.)

Christian Speech

            Years ago, I heard a story about a woman, who had major surgery on her throat. The worst part came afterwards—she was not able to talk for six months. Having a husband and six children, this proved daunting.

            The family worked out a system; any time the mother needed one of the kids, she blew a whistle.  She carried a little note pad throughout the house, which allowed her to quickly scribble a note when needed.

            After six months, she was a changed woman. She also noticed that her kids behaved better than at any time, since they had been born.

Ultimately, she decided, “I'm never going to holler again.”  She further testified, “You would not believe how many of those notes I tore up and threw away, after I read what I wanted to say."

Cards You Will Never See at Hallmark

We, Christians, need to be careful lest our words turn someone off in such a way as to preclude him or her from receiving Jesus. Several years ago, someone sent me an email that gave this subject a humorous perspective. It’s called, CARDS YOU WILL NEVER SEE IN HALLMARK. Here are a few:

"Congratulations on your wedding day! Too bad no one likes your wife."

"How could two people as beautiful as you have such an ugly baby?"

"I've always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love. After having met you, I've changed my mind."

"Looking back over the years that we've been together, I can't help but wonder: What in the world was I thinking?"

"As you grow older, Mom, I think of all the gifts you've given me. Like the need for therapy..."

"Congratulations on your promotion. Before you go, would you like to take this knife out of my back. You'll probably need it again."

"Someday I hope to get married, but not to you."

"Happy Birthday! You look great for your age.... Almost Lifelike!

"When we were together, you always said you'd die for me. Now that we've broken up, I think it's time you kept your promise."

"I knew the day would come when you would leave me for my best friend. So here's his leash, water bowl and chew toys."

"We have been friends for a very long time, whatdaya say we call it quits."

"You are such a good friend that if we were on a sinking ship and there was only one life jacket.... I'd miss you heaps and think of you often."

Clearly, we don’t want to make those mistakes! What we may forget is that sometimes, our words may sound as blunt and as uncaring as those from the “cards.”

5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Col. 4:5-7.)