Alway with Grace

"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." Colossians 4:6

At 5:30 in the morning, I'm not always aware of how my words or tone will sound, but I was reminded of it this morning by my gracious husband.  As I groggily made my trek to the bathroom to empty out the water canister of my CPAP machine, I did not turn on the light.  My husband came around the corner and saw me enter the bathroom, so he reached in and went to turn on the light, but before he could I said, 'Leave the light off.'  As he retracted his hand, he said, 'I was only trying to help you, you didn't need to snap at me.'  I told him that I didn't snap at him, but he said, 'No, but it was negative.'  He was right.  I rejected his kindness towards me with negativity, and it didn't matter how early in the morning it was; he did not deserve to be spoken to like that.  

After I finished my devotions this morning, and I looked out the window to watch the rain, the Lord told me to spend more time in His Word.  As I prayed to be directed to words the Lord wanted me to read, I began to turn to Philippians, but as I was turning there, I saw a highlighted verse in Colossians.  The one on top of this page.  I stopped and read it over and over again.  This is what the Lord wanted to remind me of this morning.  My speech.  My tone.  My words. Are they graceful? Do they heal? Or are they unkind and hurt?

Albert Barnes interprets this verse this way:

"Let your speech always be gracious-" Christian conversation should be kind, courteous, and humble. It should be entirely free from bitterness, uncleanness, and gossip, and should reflect the mild, affable spirit of Christ Himself.

"Seasoned with salt-" This prevents corruption and adds flavor. Just as salt keeps food from going bad, our speech should be pure, wise, and edifying. It should be lively, engaging, and spiritually savory rather than dull, vain or corrupt.

"Knowing how to answer-" Having a grace-filled, 'salted' heart prepares you to respond appropriately to everyone you meet. Whether someone is questioning the evidence of your faith, discussing daily topics, or treating you with hostility, a heart rooted in piety allows you to reply with wisdom, gentleness, and integrity rather than foolishness or rash anger."

"Thank you, Lord, for the reminder today..

    To be gracious and kind with my words...

        no matter what time of the day...

            But that's just me!

"Grace and salt make an ideal combination." Robertson