I came home from Influence Conference and made my family dinner. A carb-loaded, stick-to-your-ribs dinner that made the house warm and our bellies warmer. It made me feel good to serve my family, to meet a need, to give them a meal I know they didn’t have while I was gone. When I was away, they had delivery pizza, fast food, and leftovers. And those are amazing and useful meals, my favorite things to eat on the go or when things are moving too fast. But mommy was back and it was time to get out all the pots, make a big mess, steam up the kitchen windows, and let the oven heat up the house.
It is my love language to cook for others. Making food to fill bellies makes me happy. It also calms my mind.
Attending Influence Conference left me drained and overwhelmed, just like it did last year. I feel like the things I want to write, the emails I need to send, the relationships I need to grow are weighing on me too heavily. That I’ll miss things if I stop, that I’ll forget if I slow down.
And I know that is not the truth. The truth is people. The truth is my family and missing them and forgetting everything I think I need to do and doing what I really need to do.
Snuggle my babies. Paint their nails. Talk to my husband. Look at all the pictures my girls made while I was gone. Watch Wall-E with Elliott. Hold Harper as I unpack. Pet my dog so he’ll stop licking me. Cook dinner for my family. Clean out the fridge so it stops smelling. Listen to Elliott sing. Rub some backs. Watch football with Chris.
One of the things I was reminded of at Influence is that my God will put me wherever I need to be regardless of myself. If He wants it to happen, it will. If he doesn’t want it to happen, it won’t. So maybe less of what Mary wants and more of what God wants. Are my dreams and goals in line with my talents and His dreams for me? I really don’t want to be working against the Creator anyway. That doesn’t sound like it ends well.
So while I’m back and inspired and bursting to tell you things and start new projects and kick some butt, I know that right now, I need to stop and listen. Take care of some things.
I feel like I will forget as well! But you’re right, the pieces that God spoke to me, they won’t leave.
SUCH a good reminder to be present. Spoken beautifully. Even a week later, I still feel like I am needing to check out new blogs late into the night, but need the reminder to tend to what is in front of me first! Thanks for your words Mary. 🙂
all best,
Jes
http://www.strengthtolove.blogspot.com