For this is a gracious thing,

when,

mindful of God,

one endures sorrows

while suffering unjustly.

          1 Peter 2. 19

(Not caught up in

what is fair

          or not fair,

uncomfortable,

inconvenient,

hard.

But even in this, knowing

God weaves His grace

       seamlessly into it,

nothing random at all,

   but eternal.

He gives His strength

to endure this situation.

He gives His grace

   to bring to the table.

Not "where are You, God?"

but knowing He is

   already redeeming it.

Knowing He is.

The LORD is here.

           Present tense.

Even in this.)

O LORD,

You are here among us,

not dependent on circumstances

    --favorable or not.

But Your Presence

           is present tense.

And You have strategically

          placed us

for Your glory

and for the blessing

and provision those around us.

Help us to not just

         be mindful of You,

but embrace the mind of Christ

   in whatever situation we are in,

realizing the suffering

   and struggling of others.

Help us to show grace

which is always

    an unexpected response.

Help us to approach

         the hard stuff

 with a new heart

because we love You.