The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 4:2-6, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that

we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;

4 in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

6 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.”

Situations in life differ quite a bit. Sometimes we need to sympathize with people that are hurting.

Sometimes we need to laugh, so as to lessen tension or ease those who are hurting. Sometimes

we need to speak seriously and correct wrong thinking. Each situation calls for a different action.

Paul addresses those situations by instructing us to always be prayerful. We are keep alert to the

fact that the LORD God is listening and be thankful that we are not alone. He encourages us to

start every day praying that the LORD will “open to us a door for the Word.” We know the Gospel.

We have been saved; and sometimes we are put in situations (imprisoned) so that we might share

that Gospel with others. When we do, we want to speak clearly as He would have us to speak.

Sometimes, those with whom we are speaking will give us “open door.” Remember that the LORD

has provided us that opportunity to witness. Our witness may start with a short sentence that just

mentions the LORD. How the person responds may show us whether they truly know Him or just

sort of agree with what we are saying. The LORD will then direct us to say what is appropriate.

Always we are to be gracious. Our speech must be “seasoned with salt.” Did you ever eat a boiled

egg without salt? Yuk! It needs salt! Salt seasons the egg, making it acceptable and delightful.

That’s how our words ought to be. Remember, too, that each person is different. Some like just a

little salt; some like a lot. The LORD will show you how much. Just be prayerful as you speak.

Please pray for us, too, as we pray for you,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”