today, I'm thankful for salt.

I just moved into a new place here in Asheville. I think we're finally settled in. And just like any other time you begin living in a new place, there is a period of time where you start to realize the things that you need. Well, it had been about a week and a half when my roommates and I were tired of eating our food without any salt. After two or three trips to the grocery store and returning without any, we finally wrote it down on a list and set out to buy some. And today, I'm thankful for it. I feel like thats one thing I would have the toughest time cutting out of my diet.

So I got to thinking about its importance and then the Sunday School bible verse came to mind: "...salt of the Earth...". So we're supposed to positively 'flavor' the world right? And my other question is, am I doing my part?

I crossed paths with someone yesterday. A guy I have known as a fellow believer. So, as a believer I find it important to have a genuine concern for others. Now, this is no pat on the back for me, but when I greet someone and ask how they are doing, 9 times out of 10, I truly mean what I'm saying. I honestly want to see how they are. But when you have this cliché response, I find it offensive to not take the extra second to stop to genuinely, casually chat. Maybe it was just me being in a weird mood where everything bothers me, who knows. But, I do know that we are called to have community with other believers. Therefore, I believe it's important to show love to everyone. I believe this can be the most simple way to show love. It's different with 'strangers' but I still find it necessary to have a loving demeanor regardless of who you meet.

There is such thing as being over-salty. I believe there is a balance. You can over saturate your fries at Wendy's which makes them less enjoyable. So, if we try to show this same compassion to just anyone, things can become awkward real quick. Sometimes a simple smile and head-nod will do the job. But I think that when there is a tighter bond between you and whoever else, it's appropriate to show your care for them.

I feel like we owe this to the American culture. In America, we think it's important to be polite and speak but I feel like it's worse than being impolite when it's obvious you don't care how someone's doing. Since when do a conversations look like this:

Person 1: "Hey, how ya doin'?"

Person 2: "How's it goin'?"

And they keep on walking. Neither question was even addressed. It's kind of funny to realize how many times we do this. But, there were two questions proposed here and neither was answered. I do think that if we are genuinely concerned about others, this could be a small step in bettering our world. We could start with our relationships with those we consider acquaintances. You may not be their best friend but you do know their name and have at least met them before. You can speak some love into their life if you show that you are truly concerned with their general well-being.

Maybe this is just one of my quirks. Or maybe it just hit me weird yesterday. This may not even make 'a lick a' sense'. I don't know. Just something I felt I needed to share to whoever may run across this. But I honestly try my best to be Love to everyone around me. I think we can make a little difference with improvements in areas like this. I feel like this is one step in 'flavoring' the world. I hope I'm doing my part.

Believe and Be Love.