I heard a story the other day about a minister who was
making a wooden trellis to support a climbing vine. As he was
pounding away, he noticed that a little boy was watching him.
The youngster didn't say a word, so the preacher kept on
working, thinking the young man would leave. But he didn't.
Pleased at the thought that his work was being admired, the
pastor finally said, "Well, son, trying to pick up some
pointers on gardening?" "No," he replied. "I'm just waiting to
hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a
hammer."
While you may not be building a wooden trellis, your life
and your actions are most certainly being observed by others.
Many are looking to you for guidance and direction, even
though you may not even realize it. Your words and your
actions have a powerful influence on those around you. But
what do they see as they look upon your life? Does your anger
get the best of you when things get tough? Do your actions
align with the moral and ethical claims you make about your
life? If a story were published about you in tomorrow's
newspaper, exposing every area of your life, would you be
proud or quickly calling the closest airline to get a one way
ticket out of town? If your life were a mirror, would the
reflection be of integrity and conviction or the buckling of
principal to "fit in?"
Would you say that you are living a salty life?
Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt
has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is
good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled
under foot by men."
Salt is a powerful influencer on taste, just as your words
and actions are a powerful influence in the lives of those you
interact with each day. If your salt retains its saltiness
then you have the ability to add flavor and value to the lives
of others but if you loose your saltiness, you have nothing to
share. Your contribution may end up leaving society bland and
tasteless, or worse... bitter.
So this week, be encouraged to "Pass the Salt." Live your
life as if you were adding flavor to those around you, those
who you may not even realize are watching you. It's in every
action and interaction that we have the ability to be help
someone else experience the full flavor of life through the
grains of salt we leave behind.
Until next time... Be Kind.
-Daniel
