Speak with Grace

In the dentist's chair this afternoon, I was forced to endure an almost non-stop conversation by the patient in the adjoining area. I don't know how the hygienist worked with him, for his mouth was constantly open—but only very briefly for her instruments! His talk was 'way too loud, so that the whole office had to listen, and it wasn't even interesting! It was all about him: his expertise, his education, his job, his travel, his know-how on a computer. Employees had to speak more loudly than usual too, because they had to compete with the barrage from the second room

When I left, I thought how pointed an example that was of not speaking with grace. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:16) One version explains that the salt idea means bringing out the best in everyone. Gracious speech is not overbearing, self-centered, and thoughtless of others.

My visit to the dentist meant a healthy mouth and a reminder to have “healthy” speech!

 

MaryMartha

 

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/