I see all of my friends going to conferences, getting to meet IRL, and it has made me sad. Why not me? And then this morning, I got my answer.
I’m here to serve.
Right now, in this place in life, I am here to serve my husband and children. I am here to serve other children by teaching Bible class. To answer the phone to help a member who needs to reach out to someone they can trust with their problems.
To serve families who are grieving.
When God wants me to have time away, I trust it will come. To be honest, as much as I want to meet my friends, I have no desire to leave home.
I’m right where God wants me.
If I never get that opportunity to go to a conference, or a convention and hug my pals, I’ll know it was all in His plan.
“…through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 b
© 2012, Sam. All rights reserved.
It’s hard to see others go. I’m glad I went last year, but it will be a long time before I go again. being away from my family is not something I want to do very often.
I’d love to meet you someday! We might take a road trip out that way some time. I want to see that part of the country. Is the creation museum in Kentucky?
I just checked. The Creation museum is in Kentucky! Meet you there? :)
We live about three hours away. If you can get there by May, we will still be members and can meet you. :)
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Back Home
Thank you for sharing this, Sam! I have come to this realization recently myself as well. It is very reassuring to read your post as well as the comments here.
You’re welcome. I’m sorry your comment got lost-I don’t know what happened!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Stick With It Saturday
Not to confuse things, but Bloggy Con is in Cincinnati in September. Wanna go with me? I bet we could get sponsors.
Either way, you and I will meet. In 2012. If I have to drive across the state.
Cincy is very close. I had not heard of Bloggy Con….get me more details.
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..The Path Continues
Thanks for this post. I often get sad when I see things that others are doing. Friends having a girls night or even homeschooling groups. Living in a foreign country has its perks but definitely has its downsides, too. Loneliness and solitude has been tough for me. But I am encouraged knowing that this is only a season and this season is when I need to serve my husband and children. I know being here has made my relationship with God and with my husband stronger.
Emily @CreativeDisaster latest thoughts..A Small Thing
Yes, and blessings will abound in our obedience. :)
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Ache
It is hard to accept our seasons sometimes… I am glad you are embracing yours. That is the only way to have JOY!
Thank you, friend.
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Marching On…
Is now the time to tell you that I’ve prayed for you to come to this realization many times? You are an amazing wife and mother. There is nothing more valuable than this. I love you my dear friend. :)
Rick Kelley (@rickkelley365) latest thoughts..Wearing grief
Really? You hide it well, waiting for your stubborn wife!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Give Not Receive
Don’t beat yourself up. Stubborn is a fine quality in many ways. :)
Rick Kelley (@rickkelley365) latest thoughts..Notable Quotable: The Christian Life
Oh yes dear friend………needed this today. Tickets on sale tonight for Allume and I am questioning????? I have been green and sad for not being able to go to all these conferences that others are going to and wondering how they do it….all they do……not understanding how they can do it all and afford it all. I even missed a planning meeting for a new conference and I was asked to go but we just couldn’t pay for the travel and my fibro body couldn’t do it. I was heartbroken but you have helped me get it. Did you just wake up with this feeling or have you always had it or what made the change in your heart? Thank you for this post!
I have felt something since buying my Relevant ticket last year. After I had it, it just didn’t feel right, no matter how I tried to pass off the feelings. When I sold my ticket, I was relieved. I figured I’d “go to the next one”. I was feeling blue about Blissdom, and the twitter feeds and photos, when this hit me. I was baking for a funeral meal, and I thought-what if I had just come back from a conference, would I even have the energy to make the calls, plan a meal, cook food? Not saying God told me…just that I can see where I am more needed. Praying for you, my friend.
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Give Not Receive
Great post Sam! I was able to go to the Sally Clarkson conference 2 weeks ago because it was here in the area and I could drive home at night. I totally get what you are saying!!
Louanne latest thoughts..Grossology
That is different entirely, in my opinion. If there were something nearby, I would pray about it for sure!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Give Not Receive
((hugs)) praising Him with you for His faithful answers, even when they are not what we thought they might be.
Lisa W. latest thoughts..trying…
Or what we thought we wanted? I’m at peace with this answer. :)
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Give Not Receive
When I read this post, it touched my heart and encouraged me! This is so true…that there are those seasons of life where we are to stay home and serve. THAT is our ministry, and that’s perfectly fine! You are following what the Lord would have you do. Afterall, isn’t being at home with our children and serving (with a servant heart) our husbands and children what the Lord calls us to do.
You have encouraged me, because prior to our dear son passing away (it’s been a year and a half), I was extremely involved on our military base, and had my own women’s ministry, plus served with PWOC through the Air Force Base Chapel. Two moves later and a year and a half into this grief journey, I often wonder what my ministry is supposed to be. This post reminded me that my most important ministry is serving my husband and other son, and those who are bereaved. Sometimes that is ALL we can do after surviving such trauma. And this is but a season…here for a moment and gone like a vapor. Therefore, I should enjoy it! :)
God Bless you! Sending big hugs from Texas!
Shannon latest thoughts..Who Are You Trying to Impress?
Thank you, Shannon. I completely understand, and sometimes in our lives just surviving is all we can manage. After we come out on the other side, we then have something to share with others, and that is a way we can serve others. Praying for you.
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Give Not Receive
I didn’t mean to come off quite so negative. I can see where if a conference was very close or just VERY applicable to our homeschool I would go. Everyone has a different situation in their life and I don’t want to judge anyone else.
If there was a conference in Hawaii and I was 100% sponsored I just might go! ;-)
I didn’t think you were negative, just matter of fact. All of the conferences are 8 hours from me. The time, money and investment just can’t be there right now.
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Give Not Receive
Thank you for that dose of reason. With all the crazy and bizarre things happening in my life, this dose of reason and reality brings God’s plan a little closer to home.
Mama Fry latest thoughts..Changes and Happenings
Thank you. Hope the move is going along well!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Give Not Receive
Sam ~ I think there is something different for everyone. I am with you… I’m taking all of that energy, time, and $ it would take to go conference hopping and pouring it into travel and activities with my family. I can go to conferences when my children are gone….
Well, I don’t have the $ anyway, but if I did, could I really justify taking it from my family? My answer is no. And you are right. The kids will be gone one day. Nevermind-I’ll cuddle with my hubby more then!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Give Not Receive
Thank you for serving and sharing! We made the homemade cupcakes with your wonderful icing the girls gave it a two tumbs up and told me that’s a keeper mom. So yes you do make a difference in others lives. I enjoy reading each post. Have a blessed day!
Becky
PS back before Christmas you were talking about a ball with number tiles that added up to the small circle pegs what was the name of that? I tried to go back and look for it but can’t find it. Thanks!
Yesterday I made peanut butter cream cheese icing-tastes like chocolate fudge! Yum. The ball is Icosoku, we have the Jr. version: http://www.timberdoodle.com/Icosoku_Jr_p/474-388.htm
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Give Not Receive
Great post ! Being there for our families is a very important job and I truly believe everything happens for a reason :-) Have a great day!
blessings,
Jill
Jill latest thoughts..A small party for Chinese New Year
Thank you, Jill. :)
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Give Not Receive
Hugs to you! This was so good for me to read. I’ve been a bit green about all these bloggy conferences and not going and not meeting all those fantastic bloggy friends! :) Ami
Ami latest thoughts..Creative Writing ~ Week 2
I struggled a lot when I was going to Relevant and it didn’t work out…then with Blissdom and 2:1 I was feeling down. Not anymore. :)
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Give Not Receive