by Phil Sanders

An elderly man lay in a hospital with his wife of 55 years sitting at his bedside. "Is that you, Ethel, at my side again?" he whispered.

"Yes, dear," she answered.

He softly said to her, "Remember years ago when I was in the Veteran's Hospital? You were with me then. You were with me when we lost everything in a fire. And Ethel, when we were poor – you stuck with me then too."

The man sighed and said, "I tell you, Ethel, you are bad luck."

Wouldn't you like to be married to him?

It seems there is no pleasing some people; they look on the negative side of life and develop the habit of criticizing others about everything.

Many years ago one mother so criticized her daughter that later in life the daughter, finding no opportunity for satisfying her mother, took her own life.

Paul said, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person" (Col. 4:6).

Solomon knew that "Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances" (Prov. 25:11).

Frequently people are looking for a loving thought, a kind heart, a sincere compliment, an encouraging word, or a message of hope. As Christians we can make such a difference in people's lives by lifting up spirits rather than by tearing down.

The next word you speak could make someone's day! Season it with salt!