This verse caught my eye this morning - mind you, I am not a fantastic writer, but a deep ponderer, so don't expect C.S. Lewis..

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6

I think fondly of some of my parents friends; they have lived life deeply and well. A select few I have had conversations with I can recall never (yes never) shared a complaint or negative feeling about their day, life, issues or someone else. That, to me, is a true gift. Will there ever be a day that I wake up and I basque in the absolute goodness of what I simply have, appreciate what I have to look forward to and sing praises when I have a second to do so? I know I have frequent conversations with Jesus and thank him for his abundant love, but I slip - typical human, into the grumblings and complaints soon after. Conversations, full of grace or even just being thankful, don't necessarily have to occur with others, they can even be with oneself and of course in meditation and prayer. I need to practice grace with myself before I "go off" in conversations with someone else. Isn't that the best way to practice? Similar to loving others, be accepting and loving of oneself and it shines on everyone you come in contact with. Although I'll eat my words a little as I tend to love friends/family or others more than myself - but I'm working on it.

I love to cook and the idea of salt, herbs or spices wakes me up to what I can create. I think about how spicy or rich something smells and tastes when I add a pinch of something to a dish. Golly, how amazing that would be if we added and pinched to the recipes of our relationships. The salt and spices for me is the richness of God's Word- yep the Bible. I do my best to get into it as much as I can, read the history, lessons, thoughts and blessings that it's rich in. Thats my salt and light so when I am in conversations with friends, I hope I can be a simple example to them and listen, respond, appreciate and love abundantly. Recently, there are many issues in the world to discuss, so importantly - I need to respect, agree to disagree and again, listen. I am certainly not perfect, but I can "perfect" my conversation skills, add to my knowledge what is important, love and respect my friends and family and try to live daily what I am called to do - my example and conversations be filled with grace and, like salt, may I know how to speak with others, which includes appreciation, respect and to love them the best way I can.

Bless you my friend - 'chele