(in)RL Conference and Five Minute Friday: Friend

GO

My intent with today’s space here was to tell you about the free (in)RL conference this weekend.  It’s free and you can stay right at home and watch.  Or, there are meetups going on all around the world where you can meet new friends and watch the webcasts together.

I was honored to film a tiny little segment while I was at Allume last year.  I talk about how intentional I’ve gotten with my real life friends since the (in)RL conference the prior year.

Before (in)RL 2012, I knew that meeting with my friends was fun and I’d always walked away happy but it wasn’t until that conference that I understood it was my lifeline.

I needed community.

I don’t know about you but life builds up inside.  One child is dealing with sickness and the other friendships and then your grandmother gets sick and then your husband’s and then work is pressuring you with goals and you’re trying to write blog posts until 1am and keep up with laundry and make healthy meals every night and keep up with teacher appreciation gifts and on and on and there just comes a point where you’re full and overwhelmed and you just need a friend to unload on. 

And it’s not to dump on them so you feel a lot better.  Because the thing is, your friend has a different list that’s just as long and you dump it all between you and then lift it up to the Father and say take this.  We can’t do it on our own.  We need each other and we need you.

And this week, I found out one of my lifelines is moving away.  And I won’t pretend there haven’t been tears.  I know she’ll read these words and I know she’ll understand.  Because we’re friends and that’s what we do.  We cry when things are hard and lean on each other and the Father together.

I hope you tune in to (in)RL this weekend because I believe in the power of community and friendships.  It will encourage you and remind you—friends help build your soul, keep you sane and sometimes give you a great reason to have a cup of coffee.

STOP

 

I didn’t register last year until 20 minutes into the first session.  The last opening session doesn’t air today until 9pm EST.  Do it, it’s worth it!

 

Also, I hope you realize all of YOU are my lifelines too.  I share my life and you say “me too” and it helps to keep marching on.  Thank you for staying with me.

 

This post is linked with Five Minute Friday.