chatter salted

Reading through Colossians recently, I was struck by 4:6

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

What's so important about salt? Why that mineral? Our speech is supposed to be salty?

Salt, residue from ocean water, that we collect it and sprinkle it on our food--what? It is harvested from salt water that is dried (either naturally or artificially) and it has made it's way into just about everything we eat. Yep. American food is laden with ocean dust. Appetizing, right? Well, yeah, if it's done well, it can turn a meal from edible into epicurean. Meats are preserved with salt, it is sprinkled into desserts, used to pickle vegetables, and enhance the flavors of other ingredients. But that's not all:

1). to keep cut flowers alive

2). to clean the house

3). to eliminate odors

4). to deter weeds and pests

5). to bring smiles to little people (through playdough)

6). to de-ice the drive way

7). to brighten a load of laundry

8). to promote healing (through medicine)

(and so many more)

When salt is scattered on the ground it kills everything and prevents anything from growing for a long time. That would make it seem like it's all bad right, i mean it kills things. But that's the paradox. A mineral that, like so much else in this world, is beneficial in small quantities is yet a toxin to most other living things and to mankind in larger doses. The human body can't function without it. Salt helps to maintain water levels in the blood and is a major component to the regulation of blood pressure. Get this, we even have specialized taste buds particularly for salty foods. Salt makes sweets sweeter and french fries that much better.

There are many different types of salts; large crystals and refined white grains, coarse pretzel rocks and gourmet flakes, pink salt seasoned with minerals and salt mixed with dried garlic and spices.

So how does all that tie into the Colossians verse?

Most recipes say to "salt to taste." How much is just right? Some foods need a lot of salt and some only the smallest of pinches, but still it's there, ever ready to lend a hand and support. In the same way, we are called to share with others the works of Christ in our lives, encourage friends who are down, laugh with joyful hearts, teach and correct and train-up children, keep in touch with old friends, confront dear ones with problems, love family members, sharpen each other with discussions, and generally live together in community. Each a different use and a different quantity, but all still salted--did you know the best ice cream has salt in it? Coke does too.--It's not always easy to say the right thing at the right time when even inflection and attitude plays a role. Conversation is not always happy or enjoyable. Sometimes it hurts. There a many times when what should be said will put a relationship on the line or cut deep to an issue--true friends are there to call you on things and keep you in check. Be that for those around you.

Remember though, life is not just full of challenges and hardships (though maybe thoses are the times when it's hardest to think of what to say). Just as important are the little moments every day. The simple responses when someone does something nice for you, or when they don't. All the times you feel like yelling and claiming your right to something or other. Each and every wink, nod, blush, and encouragement thrown around. Cliché as it is, we all know a picture is worth a thousand words. Now imagine your life in stop-motion frames of a movie, the smile in your eyes, the snarl when something didn't go your way, the thoughts that crossed your face when you thought you were alone. They are all reflecting your heart. Even if no one sees--maybe we really did happen to find a little time without peeping eyes--Proverbs says that what is in our hearts will come out. Watch it.

Paul also talks about being gracious. Now, that's not a word used much in our culture. It means to be pleasant and kind, merciful and compassionate, stylish and well-mannered. Someone who posses grace or good qualities; disposed to forgive offenses and impart unmerited blessings; virtuous. Now, that's quite a bit to think through every time you want to talk...at least in my mind. I'll be thinking twice before I retort some reply or gush about something that's best left alone.

Reading the Bible and spending time at the feet of older, wiser christians is a great way to learn what it means to have your speech seasoned with salt. Having lived longer, they have seen what words can do and the importance of setting a guard over the mouth. (don't we all wish we could take back a conversation, an email, or a few simple words?!) I encourage you all to take a minute and think about what you say. Not only the actual words, but also the tone of voice, the inflection, and the expression of your face. What are your emotions conveying through your speech?

Are you salted in the right ways?