Salt

Image and Art credit: Carol Belleau
carol@carolbelleauway

Daily Gratitude Year 4-Day 274: Today, I am grateful for salt.

Just last night, I made a meal but didn't add that sprinkle of salt to the meat preparation. No big deal. Right? The casserole had other ingredients that contained salt. Wrong!  

It was okay...but not quite right.  Not as good as it could be. Not the best version. Salt... even a sprinkle or a pinch... changes everything. It helps tenderize the lean meat. It adds flavor. 

Then...as God does...this image was found during my prayers, pondering and consultation as to what I should be grateful for today. I think it might be more evidence of his sense of humor.  Yes. Salt makes a difference.

Carol Belleau has truly captured my eye and my heart with this image from her hand. For my friends beyond the USA borders - this image echoes the "Morton Salt" label that has been around for years. It is an icon. 

As diet goes, salt in moderation is an essential part of a healthy diet. Salt helps the body retain the water it needs to function well (of course, too much of a good thing is not good). It stimulates muscle contraction and prevents cramping. It aides the digestive system in the break down of food. Sodium deficiency, like the kind experienced in extreme heat and perspiration, can result in shock. Water and salt in balance are vital to life. 

Salt adds flavor and helps preserve food and has always had value. There is a Middle Eastern saying that says: "There has been salt between us." It means that a meal has been shared.  A shared meal is in cultural importance as it confirmed a relationship. Barriers drop and hearts open around a lunch or supper table. 

Isn't it interesting, that before we even had the science to back it up, God's Word speaks of salt. 

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." - Colossians 4:6

"Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”-Mark 9:50

Several scriptures refer to a salt covenant. There are different opinions on what that implies, but in every case, the salt is significant. 

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." -Matthew 5:13

Coming from a land of winters with ice and snow...we know ice under the feet is not worthless. Still, salt unfit for consumption loses much of it's value.

Salt should bring images of good, meaningful and encouraging words. Salt should make us think of meals shared with friends and those we hope to make friends. When we prepare a meal and share it... we are sharing a part of who we are. There is vulnerability in how it is received. A love shown in grateful acceptance. 

I have friends who I believe majored in hospitality. In truth - God has blessed them with it. They are the salt in our fellowship circles. Their gifts amaze me in that area. I have to work at it a little harder and fret way to much.  You know hospitality is your gift when you thrive in every aspect of the preparations. I can enjoy it, but I am not gifted. 

We can all find ways to be salt. He calls us to be salt. 

Without salt... so much flavor would be lost. 

Today, I am grateful for salt.