Let your words be seasoned with salt

Anyone ever tell you, it’s not what you said it’s how you said it? Long story short: someone was risking their job and I told them so, and they were mad at the fact that I told them in front of another person, instead of pulling them to the side.

I will give you, there’s a reason why Colossians 4:6 exists. According to King James, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt…”. In essence, how you say things definitely matters. And if you’re new to here, let me tell you I’m not very pious. But I can recognize some damn good advice when I hear it. That being said, would you critique how someone said “LOOK OUT!!”if a drunk driver was barreling down the road?

I personally, would be more grateful for someone saving me from falling in a manhole than worried that he yelled the admonition. I say all this, but I can recognize I too have been this person. I too used to get hung up on the delivery rather than the message. It happens to the best of us. What I would like to assert here is that if we’re all being honest, that’s a juvenile mentality. It’s human nature, but it’s also juvenile.

Again, I say this and I know I’m also a huge hypocrite. I’m sure there’s something you could tell me and I might be offended by your tone. We tend to listen better when the warning is given softly, but when the stakes are high enough, feelings are usually put on the back burner. Next time, I’ll just whisper and watch as the bear trap snaps around your leg. But hey, at least you won’t be offended by the delivery. Right?

Now to be clear, I did apologize. They were right. I should have pulled them aside and conveyed my concern. I forgot to put some seasoning on my words. That my bad. You see, salt was used in ancient times to not just make the food more palatable but also acted as a preservative. Food lasted longer with salt. Same with friendships and relationships. “Salt” or kindness and wisdom preserves your relationships. So remember to cook with love, put some seasoning on it. Although it might be a little childish, no one wants any bland ass food. Or you might wind up eating alone.