Let your conversation be always full of
grace,
Seasoned with salt, so that you may know how
to answer everyone.
Colossians
4:6
Misunderstood.
Hurtful. Uncaring. Those aren’t the emotional reactions I
expected. I intended to provide
explanation or comfort or concern. Yet,
my words have far too often caused unintended pain. I have spent a lifetime witnessing the
distress inflicted on others as a result of this weakness of mine. Poorly selected words have produced less than
positive results. More accurately, the
problem hasn’t been my word choices, but my tone of voice. Maybe I need a little seasoning to make my
words taste better.
Paul writes an exhortation to the Colossian Christians, and
to us, to be prepared… looking for any opportunity God may provide to share the
Good News. In today’s vernacular, we
need to bring our “A” game every time we speak to nonbelievers. We never know when the occasion will be
available again.
Conversations full of grace and seasoned with salt are
loving and hopeful, gentle and kind.
Seasoned words are appropriate, useful and well received. Grace-filled, seasoned words are well thought
out and clear. May we all know how to
answer everyone with gentle, appetizing words.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, please have patience with me as I
learn to speak in loving ways. I want my
conversations to be full of grace.
Please season my words so that they are well received by everyone. Thank you for your merciful kindness toward
me. In the name of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ, Amen.
Carl Smith
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