I just had to lay off four people yesterday and it was really, really hard.
One of them (the one with a sick 5 year old daughter who just bought a house last month...), said "I know you believe in the same God I do. I know you believe He's in charge and will take care of us. Will you pray with me before I go?" So right in the middle of my office, we knelt down and prayed. Her unshakable faith in God really touched and encouraged me.
It was a really, really hard day. I try to do it with as much grace and compassion as possible, but it's still a hard thing to lay people off and know they don't have a job tomorrow.
I keep picturing all those sad movies where the Dad comes home too early and tells the family he lost his job and they all cry and hug and promise everything will be Ok... <sigh>
That is all. Sorry for the downer post.