My Old Kentucky Home Is Where God Planted Me

I didn't want to move to Kentucky. I was happy living in the West. My wife wanted to move to within driving distance of our families in Pennsylvania. So here I am. In Kentucky. Thirty-five years later.

Turns out the job I got here was the best. We found a nice house in a nice neighborhood. My two little girls, born in Idaho, grew up here, achieved advanced degrees from the University of Louisville, and married Kentuckians. My wife volunteered at the Louisville Zoo, then got a full-time job there where she worked happily until retirement last year. It's clear to me that God wanted my family to be here.

My long-time goal was to one day retire to Idaho. I love it there. But I'm still in Kentucky. My in-laws moved here. My sister and her husband moved here. My 92-year-old mother is in assisted living within driving distance of here.

Yeah, I'm still in Kentucky.

Right where God wants me to be. I don't know why. But here I am. Chuck Smith in Why Grace Changes Everything knows why I am here.

"Wherever we find ourselves, God has a reason for placing us there. He has his hand upon our lives. We may be going through difficult trials, but hardships are necessary. God wants to develop in us the characteristics that will enable us to fulfill his plan for us." (https://calvarychapel.com/posts/why-grace-changes-everything-lessons-from-pastor-chuck/)

The other day, on impulse, I took the book I wrote about recovering from alcoholism and gave it to my new next-door neighbor. I don't know if he needs it. I don't know if he will read it. Or maybe he'll give it away. Maybe that's why I'm still in Kentucky, hanging out until I accomplish what God has me here to do. Until then, Idaho will have to wait.