Just wondering about Blissdom

I was going to write about Blissdom today. I got my Blissdom welcome package on Friday, and suddenly it was real: I--little ol' small potatoes, nobody-in-particular me--going to Blissdom.

It's true. Come this Wednesday, I'll be boarding a Southwest flight bound for Nashville, and I'll be among the 500 or so bloggers gathered at the Opryland Hotel for three days of learning and fellowship and fun.

To be honest, I'm a little scared. I was going to write about that today.

I'm not scared of going to conferences. Shoot, I used to work as a conference planner. I like conferences. I'm not scared of not knowing anyone. I've met several bloggers in real life, and there are a number of others with whom I have a long-standing online relationship. It's not that.

I'm kind of scared of being there with all those women.

I live with men, you know. I'm the only girl in this house. I'm used to living and working with people who don't care much about hairstyles, or make-up, or footwear. And now I'm going to be spending the week with a bunch of women who know all about fashion. Who are experts at accessorizing. Who own multiple pairs of boots, for crying out loud. I'm intimidated at the thought of being among all these beautiful people.

I was going to write about all of that. But then yesterday, something happened that shifted my focus: my dear friend Bill died.

His death was not unexpected. He'd been in poor health for some time. His darling wife died several years ago, and he was quite ready to join her in heaven. But still. His death has jolted me.

I'm really happy for him, for I know that the death of his physical body was just the next step in an eternal life for him. Thinking about him, though, has changed the way I'm thinking about this week.

Don't get me wrong: I'm really glad and thankful to be going to Blissdom. I'm very excited about it. In terms of blogging, it's an important event.

But that's just it: even for this week, I don't want my life to be all about anything that's important in terms of blogging. I want it to be about something that's important in terms of eternity.

Can a blog be important in the eternal scheme of things? I think so. Some bloggers have struck chords deep within my soul. Some bloggers challenge me to live into a God-vision of me. Some bloggers encourage me to be more than I could ever be all by myself. I'm very thankful for blogging.

But, even at a conference all about blogging, I don't want my eyes to be focused on just on blogging. I want them to be focused on the One who's giving me the opportunity to attend this conference, the One who called me to begin blogging in the first place. The One with whom Bill is now talking face-to-face.

That'll be me someday. I'll have the chance to talk with Him face-to-face. And I'm wondering what He'll want to hear about Blissdom '11.

Be generous with me and I'll live a full life;
not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.
Open my eyes so I can see
what you show me of your miracle-wonders.
I'm a stranger in these parts;
give me clear directions.
My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—
insatiable for your nourishing commands.

Psalm 119:17-19, The Message