...and may He maintain

     the cause of His servant

and the cause of His people Israel,

         as each day requires,

that all the people of the earth

    may know

    that the LORD is God;

there is no other.

                1 Kings 8. 59-60

(God sustains and maintains us

       as each day requires,

His support,

His strength,

His divine appointments.

But how others become aware of God

   is revealed in how we respond

   to our circumstances.

The next verse is the key:

"Let your heart therefore

      be wholly true

           to the LORD our God,

walking in His statutes

and keeping His commandments,

                  as at this day."

How will others know?

Because our lives are

             differently ordered.

Because our hearts

        are true to Him,

        forgiven and redeemed.

We look different.

We respond differently.

We love differently.

God's love

                changes us.)

O LORD,

Do others see any difference

           in how we navigate

                        the storms

           or the placid seas?

Do others see us

            just as "nice people,"

   or as forgiven

   and redeemed by Your love?

Help us to be not just

            mindful of You,

but having the mind of Christ.

         Even in this struggle.

Nothing is ever the same.

We do not react to circumstances.

We walk with You.

We respond to You.

    Different heart,

    different action,

    different journey,

    and way different outcomes.

We are witnesses of Your truth

    and we are rarely aware,

even as

   You are working through us.