Yesterday I spoke at an IF Gathering, and I'll tell you more about that this week. But today I want to tell you one of my favorite things about that day.
Just in case you aren't familiar with IF, let me give you the quick synopsis. The original, main gathering was a little over a month ago in Texas. There were many well-known speakers on the roster, and their teachings were recorded. Then churches and other gatherings could host local versions of IF and share the videos of the teachings.
The church who hosted the one I went to yesterday asked me to share in person at the end of all the recorded talks.
Because the setup of the event was a little different from a normal women's conference or retreat, I was able to sit in on the teachings of all the other speakers before sharing from my own heart.
It. Was. Beautiful.
My day started early, because I had about a two hour drive to reach the church, but it was worth leaving home in the dark (AND THE SNOW!) to have a day of heart-filling. I scribbled notes in my journal and soaked up the ideas presented throughout the day.
It's been a while since I've attended such an event. I think the last one I went to was the November before the pandemic, when I went to a women's leadership conference in Tennessee. I enjoyed that one too, but I sorely missed Ryan while I was gone! This was just one day, so I was home to him much sooner!
One of the things that Jennie Allen (the founder of the event) shared in her talk was that in general, we have all but abandoned speaking to people face to face. We are a lonely people because we've become accustomed to just staying home and choosing movies over fellowship. She went so far as to say that even when given an opportunity to interact with others, most of us will choose to stay home with our jammies instead. We're uncomfortable with the idea of having conversations, because they could get difficult and awkward, and we don't want that.
Convicting!
As we reevaluate life and priorities, my heart is convicted to find the balance between carving out time for rest and our own family time here at home and time for and with community and friends. It really does matter. The richness that can come into our lives from the people around us can't be manufactured in other ways, and we will be better people if we don't miss those opportunities.
I am grateful for the chance I had yesterday to enjoy some community and learning, and I am grateful for the challenges issued to my heart for the future we have ahead!
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