Mathew 5:13

  I am the salt of the earth.
  "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men." NKJV
  "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless." JCB

  The worst of the ice storm missed us. Whew! The ground is white, more with ice pellets than snow. Enough accumulated I might shovel the driveway later. The few spring crocuses in the garden poking their lovely purple heads above the ground might be regretting their choice because it sure looks like winter out there!
  Salting the steps might be a good idea, too!

  www.seasalt.com goes into a great deal of depth about salt's history, usage and production.
  Briefly, it was used in sacrificial offerings or a gift of hospitality. Wars were fought over it. Language incorporated everything surrounding salt and its production much like texting short forms have found their way into daily use today. It's a necessary item for survival in human and animal diets.
  Most importantly, salt was a necessary item to preserve food before the dawn of refrigeration. It is still used today throughout the globe for a host of manufacturing processes as well as for preserving food. So much so that it has become a health hazard because we get too much of it in our North American, processed food diets.
  This is a passage I haven't done much thinking about. It is one of many Bible phrases that has been incorporated into secular English over time. I've always assumed it simply meant the person being referred to was a "good guy".
  But it's far richer than that.
  In Jesus' day, being called the salt of the earth would have been the ultimate affirmation of worth because everything revolved around this precious element for life to thrive. His gift of these words also clearly defines what our role as believers is meant to be.
  We are to preserve life, all life, as shepherds of both people and planet. 
  Our faith becomes the seasoning that bears light and hope to all corners of the globe.

  Jesus does warn about what might happen if we don't allow ourselves to be "re-seasoned" by continually turning to Him. It's a loving reminder that we are not expected to do all this on our own.
  I used one grain of coarser pickling salt for the photo because I'd thought about comparing my life to that of a salt shaker but ended up thinking about a single grain....
  Thank You, Lord, for inspiring this wonderfully assuring and  humbling image.