Always

be prepared

to make a defense

          to anyone

who asks you

for a reason

  for the hope that is in you,

yet do it with

   gentleness and respect.

           1 Peter 3. 15

(People are always watching

to see how we respond

in both favor and failure,

to see if God is real,

to see if God really makes

   a difference in how we live.

May they see us

    not just as nice people,

but those who know

     what grace means

     and bear a living hope

on which we have

            staked our lives.)

O LORD,

Help us to always

       be prepared,

not just with reasons

   and a firm defense

   of carefully selected words,

but with a heart overflowing

    with love for others

no matter the circumstances.

Show us how, O LORD,

to see difficulties

as an opportunity

   to practice grace in this.

And with a different heart

to surprise other people

with an unexpected response.

Because we can.

That is the love spilling over

that You place in our heart

and Your grace

    we have come to know.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grateful to God for you.