This is the table

    that is before the LORD.

               Ezekiel 41.22

(Perhaps this situation

      is not just a difficulty,

or a hard place,

    or an irritation,

but how would I approach it

     if it was an opportunity

          to worship God in it?

The situation is the

       table of my sacrifice.

Am I willing to place it

               on the altar,

  to respond differently,

to bring Him glory

   in the most unexpected places?

Not to earn His love,

   but because we love Him

   and He loves us.)

O LORD,

We come to the altar

with our mis-doings,

        and our not-doings,

   and a large dose of pride.

We come to the altar

   and realize that

   You have beat us to it.

You have sacrificed Yourself

       that we may be saved.

May we see this hard situation

        before us

as a way to love You,

   not just to "say grace,"

but to bring grace to the table.

Be blessed and honored,

             O dear LORD.

You are already redeeming

               what is before us.