I love seeing my kids.  I soak up every minute when we are together. I pump them with questions about their life and try to understand and imagine their world. Their world, the world that at this moment, with my world surrounding me,  is miles and miles away.

Somehow in the midst of the joy of being together, a deep sadness starts to settle over me. I realize all I am missing. I wonder when we will get to see each other again. These long separations leave a dull ache deep down and hurts to the core. I count the cost of living life overseas and it seems more than I can pay. 

Somehow, before I know it, the sadness turns to dissatisfaction and despondency. "It's not fair!", my heart grumbles. "Other families aren't separated by oceans! Why do we have to be?" The ugly weeds of bitterness start to take over and seeds of resentment set in. I start to question God's goodness. The price of ministry seems too great and the promised, unseen reward, too small. 

It is then that the Spirit of God confronts me. It is then that in my desperation I turn to the only stronghold that keeps me from sinking. It is then that I read of God's goodness. 

Psalm 145:1-9  

Every day I will bless You. And I will praise Your name forever and ever. 

Great is the Lord and highly to be praised. His greatness is unsearchable, 

One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. 

Oh, the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wonderful works I will meditate. 

Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, And I will tell of Your greatness. 

They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness. The Lord is good to all. 

My focus starts to shift. My eyes turn to Jesus. Instead of brooding about being away from my sweet family, I will meditate on God's goodness. Instead of complaining, I will proclaim His unsearchable greatness. Instead of counting the long months between visits, I will praise His mighty works and speak of His power to the next generation.