“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

(Colossians 4:6 NIV)

One morning at breakfast, a wife eagerly waited for her husband to comment on her first attempt at homemade cinnamon rolls.  After a few bites and no reaction, she finally asked, “If I sold these commercially, how much do you think I could get for one?”  Without looking up from his newspaper, he casually replied, “About 10 years.”

Ouch.

Baking from scratch takes time, effort, and a little bravery — especially when you’re trying something new. The anticipation of someone’s reaction can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. In this case, the wife was hoping for praise, but instead, she got a response that was technically funny but also a little harsh.  It’s a reminder of just how powerful our words can be.

The Bible tells us to make sure our words are “full of grace, seasoned with salt.”  That means our speech should be kind and encouraging — bringing flavor to conversations rather than bitterness. We’ve all experienced the impact of words — whether it’s a compliment that made our day or a careless remark that stuck with us for years.

Proverbs 16:24 puts it beautifully: “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (NIV)  Just like the warm, inviting smell of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, our words should leave people feeling uplifted and encouraged, not discouraged or disheartened.

We need to be careful with the words we choose. That doesn’t mean we can’t joke around or have fun, but it does mean we should consider how our words affect others.  A little kindness, a little encouragement — it might be just what someone needs.

So today, I encourage you to make an effort to be intentional with your words. Whether you’re offering a compliment, cracking a joke, or giving advice, make sure your speech is something that honors God and lifts others up.  Because at the end of the day, a sweet word — just like a warm cinnamon roll — might be just what is needed to make someone day’s special.

Prayer: Lord, help me to use my words wisely. May my speech be full of grace and kindness, reflecting your love and bringing encouragement and joy to those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day