I'm seasoning it with salt.

Lately God had really been breaking my heart for those placed in my life that don't know him. I care about them too much to not tell them anything about him. But see the thing I'm struggling with is...where do I draw the line between sharing my faith openly and being preachy? Its a difficult thing that I know alot of Christians in this day and age struggle with.

I started working at Eastside Marios again after a period of about 5 months which I spent living on dorms and in Seattle for the summer. I am enjoying building relationships with the people who came on the job while I was away and restoring those relationships with the people who I have worked with already. I thank God everytime I am there for the great opportunity to shed some of his light in this restaurant.

Being bombarded with gossip, bad language, and insults from frustrated employees often, I sometimes find it tempting to conform to that negative attitude too. When I share my opinion or try to shed some positive thinking into the conversation it feels like my comments just go in one ear and out the other, so sometimes I just don't say anything or participate. It's definitely frustrating but patience building at the same time..thank you Jesus.

You see the manager who first hired me was a good Christian friend of mine. He gave that restaurant a big dose of salty flavor. When hiring he looked especially for other Christians who could contribute to bringing the love of Christ into that restaurant, and I would say he succeeded, the light of God shined brighter in that place.

This angered people though. They thought that he treated the "Christians" better than them. So now there are a few that have a contempt held against us, a not so hidden grudge.

Seeing as I am one of those"Christians", I feel as if I am walking on really thin ice. I sometimes feel that if I share my faith too much..that they will just shut down, not talk to me anymore, and then talk hate speech to other servers about me. But I also know that letting those few people intimidate me will make me miss out on the opportunities I may get with others.

Each day before I go to work I pray "God please guide my actions, my words, and my attitude so that it may reflect upon you. Help me to know when to share and when to listen, and to show genuine love to everyone." I know that ultimately it is his workings that will transform people, and that the best I can do is be a willing vessel for sharing the love I've found in him.

I've decided that the best way to share my faith with those who don't know Jesus is too simply follow his leading, and what he is prompting me to do or say at the time. To share my faith means I don't let opportunities pass me by because I'm intimidated. To share my faith means listening and not always speaking. To share my faith means building trust. To share my faith means to accept that my opinions are not always going to be agreed with. To share my faith means to not underestimate the power of testimony. When non-Christians and Christians alike hear the word "Preachy" they cringe inside. Why? In my opinion its because it implies a forceful pressing of beliefs upon someone and in our democratic western culture we have "free choice"..well guess what? hearing the message of Jesus is convicting and thats why it can be uncomfortable to listen to- but the truth is we are never forced to believe it or even follow it- we still have that "free choice". So instead of letting that fear of being too preachy hold you back from sharing what you believe with those in your circle of influence (Yes! God put you there for a reason!)- go for it!

Just as it says in Britt Nicoles new song,

Don't let your lights go down

Don't let your fire burn out
'Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

Colossians 4:5-6

⁵Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

I'm gonna season it with salt BABY!!