It’s Five Minute Friday with lovely Lisa-Jo!
Set a timer and just write. Don’t worry about making it just right or not.
For me? An exercise in letting go and letting words flow. Five minutes only. {yes, I do set a timer and it quacks like a duck at 5 minutes, which totally makes me smile}
Today’s prompt: Together.
*****
And go…
Some of my very best online-turned-real-life friends are all together at a conference in South Carolina right now. I am missing the hugs and face-to-face conversation with them desperately, but that is not where I am to be right now.
After a busy, crazy, chaotic, FUN month of October, I am home, together with my family for the weekend. And while I long to see those far-away friends, my heart is overjoyed to be here, preparing for a “normal” weekend at home, together with my precious boys and handsome husband.
Yes, our normal together includes some on-call weekends, children not always cooperating, cleaning up spills and doing laundry, but THIS TOGETHER is what I crave right now. I need the family togetherness more than any other kind right now, no matter how messy it may be.
Conferences and retreats and events tug at my heart every once in a while, and if God says, “Go! Be together with them!” I will go. But His word to me has been “stay” lately.
And I will relish the together I have here, at home, with my family, every moment I get.
Stop.
*****
I’m breaking the Five-Minute Friday rules a bit, but I need to add a little round out my thoughts on this aspect of NOT having it all…
I am a raging extrovert, so conferences are totally my thing. I LOVE meeting new people, networking, learning and being inspired, and most of all, sitting down with friends who live too far away for coffee and in-the-flesh fellowship.
But conferences require planning and money and sacrifice, and you know what? Going to conference doesn’t make you more important or special than anyone else.
You don’t HAVE to go to conferences to make a difference or be known or get connected. If God has made a way for you to attend one, then GREAT! I know you will have an amazing time!
But if the door has been closed on attending any “special” events right now, please don’t fret or mope, dear one. He has His reasons. And He is working out His plan and purpose for you right where you are. He doesn’t need a conference to accomplish His goals and dreams for you.
Today, I am praying for all of you at Allume and any other wonderful event or conference or retreat going on this weekend to have amazing, divine appointments and leave refreshed and renewed by Him.
And I am praying for those of you at home, wishing they were somewhere else, to see the value of being together where you. I’m praying you will see the divine appointments He has for you in your own home, church, community this weekend. Going to a conference doesn’t make you special. He has already done that.
And here is my favorite moment so far that I would have missed had I been away…
Wherever you are, have a blessed weekend!
I'm Erin, a wife, boy mom x 3, writer, and runner in Nebraska! I'm excited to share all my favorites relating to faith, family, fashion, and fitness in this space! Enjoy! 
This is so good. This was exactly the word I received about MOPS Convention this year, even though it was an amazing line up of speakers and would have been a wonderful time, the Lord said “stay” after I had already booked the hotel and bought the registration, so I stayed home and it was wonderful. Love the pic of your sweet boys.
I so wanted to go to Allume. Downtown Greenville is only 20 minutes from my house. BUT my son marches in the band at his high school and this is State competition weekend and there was no way I would miss out on that! So together with my family watching my son showcase God’s gifts to him is exactly where I want to be. Great post!
Love the pic of your boys…I have 3 also! 🙂 Sometimes when we think we’re supposed to leave our families for a conference, retreat or whatever, it’s that weekend that actually turns out to be the best we’ve ever had at home! Hope you enjoy your time with your boys & have a blessed, fun weekend!
I’ve been pouting for months, ever since I decided to sell my Allume ticket. When I realized I’d be heading into my third trimester the week of the conference, I knew that traveling cross-country wasn’t the right choice for me. And like you, I’ve also had a super busy month and need some down time with my family. Still, I’ve been SUPER DUPER sad about it. But a couple days ago, I came down with a nasty cold (sinus infection, flu, impending DEATH, whatever you want to call it) – and have never been so thankful to NOT be traveling!!! Anyway, I’m thankful that sometimes God calls us to GO…and sometimes He calls us to STAY. And we don’t have to go to a conference to be someone. Period.
I needed to read this. Thanks for writing it. I’ve loved your series this month – so real and so important.
I’m home this weekend too. Right where I need to be. This isn’t the right season. I have yet to go to a conference, but I think 2014 is my year!
That was just what my conference-tugging heart needed to hear right now! Thank you for reminding me of this truth (that I already know and chose to forget!)
Thanks for the reminder, friend! “Stay” has been what God’s been speaking to my heart recently too!
I was looking at old pictures from Relevant the other day. I so wish we could hang out again like that!! Special memories!
This is so right on. I’ve wanted to go to Allume/Relevant for years and God clearly said stay until this year. Being in a place of full obedience to the Lord and walking in the Spirit is the best place to be.