...all the people

were bitter in soul,

each for his sons

         and daughters.

But David

strengthened himself

             in the LORD.

         1 Samuel 30. 6

(We live in a broken world.

We choose how to respond

to the hard things of life,

by choosing to despair

or choosing to trust God.

Trusting God always leads

to a different direction,

approach and response.

We cannot control

      circumstances

      or the outcome,

but we can trust Who does.

We can respond differently

because God has given

each of us hope in Him.

Pushed to the limits,

the end of our rope,

down in the dirt,

we don't just find

    our need for God.

We find Him already there.

    "I am with you."

 And that changes

           everything.)

O LORD,

Help us to trust You

in the hard stuff

when we don't understand

and don't know

          how to respond.

We choose to trust You.

Order our days.

Guide our steps.

Direct our thoughts.

And align our hearts

           with Yours.

May the strength and hope

we have in You

spill out all over

       those around us

to point them to You,

    O Almighty One.

How we see You

         changes us

not just in our response,

but how we see others

and how we see ourselves.