Honey or Vinegar?

“I am so sorry.  I spilled coffee on your clean counter.”  With a disarming laugh and a twinkle in his eye, the manager of the convenience store who had been cleaning the counter replied, “Oh, this is not a problem.  I look as this spill as job security.  As long as I have customers like you I will always have work.”  As I paid the cashier for my coffee, she said to me, “I love working here and my manager is the best.”  I almost wanted to make application to work this store.  Gracious words had created a warm atmosphere.

Often in difficult situations my mind is so focused on correcting the problems that my words are filled with criticism and critique – not good for creating a climate of constructive change.  The writer of the Proverbs had this mastered long ago,

Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.  (Proverbs 16:24 NLT)

In today’s discourse, whether at work or the home, in politics or in our humor, the words used are frequently not sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.  An example is a type of humor often used today – sarcasm, which means to rip flesh from the bone – not good.  My wife, Pamela, encourages me to use honey rather than vinegar with my words.

Will you join me this week in choosing kind words?  The result will be sweet and healthy! 

Sharing the journey with you,