Virtue... Is A Virtue?

I was asked to give a short lesson {yes, in church} about a value added to the value list for the church's young women Youth Program. (there were already 7 other values)


What's the new value?

::VIRTUE::

Huh? I thought? Don't they mean the same thing? I did some reading and yes I know about the whole virtuous life and being aware of chastity, but is there more?

I started my lesson with a Science Lesson, yes they all groaned. You're groaning too? Sorry.

Strong acids, like Hydrogen Chloride are nasty chemicals and they eat at things and would 'burn' your skin if dripped on it. And Bases are also nasty when strong and have a caustic effect on various things. But when you combine an Acid + a Base you get:

pause for effect


A Salt.

So HCL + NaOH = NaCL and HOH.

Anyone know what those last two chemicals are?
Yup. Ordinary Table Salt (NaCl) and Water(HOH).

The point? Nasty acids and bases when brought together can be neutralized.

So...

A virtuous person helps neutralize the caustic and the nasty stuff of the world into usable items like table salt.

What?

Okay, forget the chemistry lesson, what I really wanted to get to was.
Are you the salt of the Earth?

I totally always thought that phrase meant, the working class people of the earth, doing their best to get along helping others if they can. You know, "oh they are the best family, salt of the earth you know?"

And it probably does mean that. But I had a deep thought here, don't laugh. I thought, being the salt of the Earth means you help sprinkle 'flavor' upon the world. Now no one would want to eat a whole spoon-full of salt right? But a little enhances food and makes meatloaf taste more like meatloaf.

So my question is. Do you do that? Are you the salt of the earth? Do you sprinkle the people around you with love, or kindness, or honesty? Do you help neutralize the acidity of the world.. (yeah forget the chemical lecture already!)

Define virtue?

It IS a Virtue.

photo credit DixieRoadRash