Psalm 145:9  The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.

Saying goodbye is not one of my favorite things – particularly when it leads to not seeing one another for long periods of time.  Over the past 8½ years we have experienced this many times with our sons and their families.  Whether they moved or we moved or military duty or college – we were apart.  While it is a fact of life for many, it doesn’t make it easier, particularly when the family is close relationally.

This has made moving back to NE Ohio all the more special because 3 of our 4 sons and
their families are here.  It is so wonderful to be near children and grandchildren.  It is so wonderful to be a part of their lives – to see them, be near them, to love on them and be there for them.  It is like having treasure and getting to use it.

Circumstantially our move was based upon being laid off at the College where I was working.  But the Lord used a visitor to the College, who was unaware of our situation, to put it into the proper context for us.  He spoke of how his parents were moving from where he lived to Buffalo,  NY to be near his younger brother and his young family so that they could be a part of their lives and give to them just as they had done with our visitor’s family when his children were young.

It was all Donna could do to hold back the tears as she heard this story.  God was using our circumstances that appeared to be negative, to bring about a blessing that was important – not just to us but to our family as well.  The timing and all the details have been worked out by Him in amazing detail.  We are so blessed.

This morning as I prepared this devotional, Snuggles had to be in my lap, as we sat by a wonderful fire in the fireplace.  Then 2 of our granddaughters, Becca and Gabi, came and snuggled both of us as they were getting ready for school.  What a way to start a day!  He has such compassion on us!!