A Salty Influencer

I don't cook with salt. The salt shaker sits beside the stove, not on the table, because that's where my mom keeps it. Don't get me wrong, I love a good bag of salty, plantain chips and I've indulged often in  "Don's" satisfyingly, salted treat in the red cardboard 'envelope'. My preferred tortilla chips are slightly saltier than the cheaper bag; my gallo pinto comes alive with a dash of sea salt and bacon; and salty, fresh cheese holds no comparison to any wanna-be rival. I have faint memories salivating my tastebuds of Longhorn steaks, perfectly salted and seasoned, Grandma Utz chips in their brown bag of delicacy and perfectly toasted and salted Martin's Pretzel pieces at the bottom of the container. As a maturing heart or blood pressure status changes one becomes shockingly aware of how many consumed foods are packed with the often desired NACL.

I've been contemplating what makes salt so unique compared to the family of spices in my pantry. Simply stated, I think Salt is an influencer. Bear with me ... an influencer affects or changes someone or something in an indirect but usually important way. I don't consider myself an influencer, however as a writer, I believe Father uses my ramblings to influence the opinions and thoughts of the reader. Media, the most obvious influencer, is far-reaching yet not all-reaching. The world is full of influencers yet we continue to longingly look for more satisfaction. Let me influence you to turn your gaze toward what I'm titling, "Father's Favorite Flavoring", salt. 

Salt is a pure, uncontaminated mineral that influences the flavor of food, softens water removing its hardness, preserves dead and living things, produces thirst, melts ice, and has to leave the shaker to do its influencing. I'm sure Father destined salt for so much more, however ... let's contemplate His invitation/command to be the salt of the earth in regards to the aforementioned qualities. We are all privy to this command used often in Christian circles. One that is heavily considered yet easily ignored. Least we lose our saltiness, let us spur one another on to be a salty influencer.

How am I seasoning those around me? Is my saltiness melting hard hearts, preserving truth and preventing moral decay? As I leave the shaker, is there a thirst in my own soul that leaves others thirsting for His life-preserving Presence? O God, (Col. 4:6) "That we would make the most of every opportunity, that our conversations would always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, that we may know how to (influence others) answer everyone" ... for Your glory!

Father's favorite flavoring ... Be an Influencer ... To glorify God!

Life on the Mountain

As June jumped into Vida Missions our lives were full of influencing others to move out of their comfort zones, spend time with Him and open their eyes to a different world view. And, 6 weeks later, we're getting ready to send them back to be salt in their 'normal' lives. We've celebrated another year of life x 2 (#13 and #54) - one with a sleepover and the other with a day alone; We gave thanks for and celebrated Dad's presence in our lives; Calculated team funds and recounted at the end of outreach; Spent long hours in the kitchen cooking for the masses; Created and used imaginations during endless afternoons with friends; Shared tears of gratitude and words of appreciation with goodbyes; Joseph relished in the beauty of our Creator while traveling out West and back; Jedidiah started full time work; Micah and Adam are each on outreach teams, driving, translating, and salting the communities around them; We celebrated America's birthday with friends and fireworks; Officially sold all but our van as we prepare for our transition to PA; And ... daily abiding with Jesus to be a salty influencer to the communities He leads us to. 

Praises

Vida Missions outreaches to glorify God.

Healing of Daryl's back.

Adam is confirmed and registered for 8th grade at HMS.

Laughter around the Wisdom table.

Time of reflection, gratitude and goodbyes.

Father's amazing provision as we anticipate life in PA, He cares about the details.

His Presence with us to be salty influencers!

Prayers

Transition ... to walk in obedience (not uncertainty) every step of the way.

For financial partnerships to continue until the end of our term, December 31, 2026.

Complete healing of the nerve affecting Daryl's leg.

Luke 10 activity and graduation as these dear ones head off to influence the world around them.

What to pack and what to regift.

Intentional abiding to be the salty influencers He invites us to be!

"Ain't no mountain high enough" ...
Hardest climb to date, but they succeeded!

Admiring The Creators creation ...

 We have a teenager in the house again!! 

Celebrating the Captain of the Hoover ship ...
So thankful he takes his orders from The Captain of the Seas!

Translating, leading, driving the bus or on Amanda duty ...
Salting the world around him!
 
Sweet Eva trying on Mama Jen's regifted rain boots for size ...
Maybe some day sweet girl! 

How does one say goodbye to friendships we put down roots with? ...
With tears and "see ya laters", right?

She's titled Doctor ...
but really she feels like one of Father's faithful Angels!
Her friendship, counsel and wisdom will be sorely missed.

Dear Clarence ... the bus behind the truck.
I wish I could say you've faithfully carried us over mountain and valley but ...

The rhythm and beauty of Vida Missions ...
 
Serving the rich ... 
attempting to influence their world view.

Sun up to sun down and then some ...
Kitchen crew with a smile on their hearts!

He faithfully steps out of the office to teach on Abiding time ...
Creating a thirst in them to be the salt of the earth.

Celebrating another year of life ...
Here's to salting the world!

Co-workers, friends, raising our kids together crew, leadership team ... 

call us what you will ...

We're just over here salting the world together!

Influenced by AI ... Wow, we look influentially important! 😁

Lord, teach me to abide ...