Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

Floating on faith

by 24 Comments

Rachel is learning to swim. She’s not afraid to go under water. She’s not afraid to jump in. Her confidence is greater than her skills.

But she doesn’t want to stay still when she’s supposed to be floating. She gets in position to float, and then wiggles around, which forces her to sink. Instead of surrendering to stillness that brings control in the water, she wants to take the action into her own hands, which actually gives her less control over her body.

Sometimes I’m like that with my faith.

Instead of being still and letting God work through me, I want to fix and do and plan and control. But God has been teaching me about living rescued and resting in faith.

For me, resting in faith often means slowing down.

I recently heard singer Tauren Wells say something on Annie Downs’ podcast that I can’t shake:

“Rush always leads to ruin. … Everything is instant approval, immediate gratification, and that always leads to ruin. What I’m trying to figure out is if I trust God with the pace, then I can I can actually live from rest and I can get to the reward God has promised me, which by the way, is always Jesus.”

This is what’s hard right now for me: Besides not knowing what I should do more times than I care to admit, parenting exposes all my own sin, which is just plain hard, especially when I’ve got a family depending on me.

I need to let God change my defense mechanisms. Naturally, I want to fight it — everything — which can come across as mean and cold when really I’m just afraid and uncertain. I want to move faster and bark orders like I’m in the one in control and rush any soul work God is in the midst of doing.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

– 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I fight the wrong enemy with human words rather than the spiritual battles with Christ. On bad days, I fight my son’s behavior instead of teaching his heart, choose to worry about what might happen instead of trusting the God I know, and allow frustrations to replace truth.

I need to sink into what I know to be true,
stretch out my arms, and float on faith.

{Tweet that.}

*****

It’s been one of those seasons where everything I read and hear is coming back to this lesson in living rescued, in floating in faith. Here are the some of the resources that have been encouraging and teaching me:

*****

#PorchStories friends, earlier this week I shared my review of Kate Motaung’s “A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging” and am giving away an autographed copy. Be sure to enter to win!

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
 Loading InLinkz ...

Stories from the Porch in February

by 23 Comments

I actually got to enjoy my porch for a couple afternoons this month. That’s got me all ready for spring. February didn’t involve the snow I expected, thankfully, but there was a lot of rain. Even so, February was lovely in many ways.

Highlights

Greg and I celebrated meeting each other and going on our first day TWENTY (!!!) years ago! Yeah, I have no idea how that’s possible either. But you can read about how we met and then about how we stayed up all night talking a week later. (You can also see a side-by-side picture comparison of us then and now.)

We celebrated with a dinner out the night before Valentine’s Day because that’s when the babysitter was available. After dinner we went to Walmart because I needed to get a few things and so did Greg, who let me pick out my own flowers instead of going back to the store without me the next day. This is real life, and I love ours. He did get me a lovely canvas to hang that has our family’s birthdates and our wedding date. I’m still deciding where to hang it. (See the flowers and the canvas.)

Pardon this highlight if you aren’t a mom, but my toddler only wears diapers when she sleeps! Perhaps I can declare her potty trained. I mean, she still has accidents sometimes, but she usually tells me when she needs to go and she’s not quite two-and-a-half years old. I’ll take it!

Oh, and she’s learning to swim. (And it’s pretty much the cutest thing ever.)

We road tripped to our favorite away Murray State game in Clarksville, Tennessee, which included stops at Target, Michael’s, and Books-A-Million before we ate at one of my favorite restaurants called Blackhorse Brewery. We had no idea the evening was going to involve tornado warnings both at home and the arena, a three-hour delay with six minutes to go in the game after a piece of metal poked through the arena roof and prompted a leak on the court, and an exciting win to clinch the regular-season conference championship. But all of those things really happened. The kids stayed up later than they ever have before, and we all have a fun story to tell.

Also, for the second time ever, I was on a podcast! My new friend Melissa Corkum hosted me on The Uncorked Podcast, where we talked about adoption, motherhood, writing, Enneagram, fostering community, volunteering, and general living. (You can listen here.)

Favorite things

  • Enneagram – Maybe this isn’t a thing, but it’s becoming my favorite. My college friend Andrea Kleid shared about it earlier this month here. I’m a 1 with a 2 wing, and it’s been fascinating to learn more about my natural motivations, the traps when I’m stressed, and how I respond to goodness.
  • John Crist – This guy makes me laugh. He was recently on Annie Downs’ podcast, and now I follow him (closely, perhaps) on Instagram.
  • Oils for cold sores – I like oils for some things, but I also take Tylenol when I have a headache and antibiotics when I have an ear infection. Even so, I texted a friend last week out of desperation: What oils can I use for this annoying, painful cold sore on my tongue? She told me to mix together equal parts Melaleuca, On Guard, and Frankincense. I did. And, y’all, it totally worked. My cold sore improved that day and was gone the next. It didn’t taste delicious, but it was totally worth it.
  • My boy dressed up at George Washington – The kids went to school on Presidents’ Day because they made up a snow day. Ben’s second-grade class dressed up as presidents and shared facts about them. Thanks to Amazon for the costume! Not having to piece together an outfit was worth buying the outfit and wig. And did you know our first president had dentures made out of hippo tusks and human teeth?

From the bookshelf

Two months into the new year, and I’ve been reading memoirs and fiction. It’s been refreshing to have a break from all the self-help Christian living books that weren’t helping the lofty expectations I already burden myself with. I know there are good non-fiction books out there I’ll return to, but the break has been nice. (I keep a running list of books I’ve loved on Amazon, if you want some more recommendations.)

I did start a non-fiction book because it’s about a subject very close to my heart and one I haven’t read much about.

  • “Why I Hate Green Beans: And Other Confessions about Relationships, Reality TV, and How We See Ourselves” by Lincee Ray – When I listen to Lincee Ray’s “I Hate Green Beans” podcast, I laugh out loud. Literally. And, yes, I’ll go ahead and confess to watching “The Bachelor” too. But I knew Lincee’s story went beyond affection for Chris Harrison and predictions for who would get the final rose. I’m glad she shared her story – one that’s told with her trademark humor as she learns to embrace the real life she never expected. And, yes, you’ll enjoy the book even if you like green beans like me. (You can read my full review here.)
  • “The Fever” by Megan Abbott – I didn’t love this book. I didn’t hate it either. The story line was intriguing, which is why I didn’t quit it. I want to say it was dark, but that may not be the right word. It was mysterious in a way that made me want to keep my oldest 10 years old forever. I previously read “You Will Know Me” by this same author and liked it more, even though it also was dark.
  • “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah – I’m late to this party, but I finally read this book I’ve hand on my Kindle for quite some time. I’ve loved other Kristin Hannah books, and especially loved this one.
  • “A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging” by Kate Motaung – As part of the launch team, I got an early PDF copy of this book and enjoyed it. I had planned to read just a little but couldn’t stop and finished it in one weekend. Kate tells her story of growing up and discovering with parallels to how she found the truth of the home Jesus promises us. It officially releases April 2.
  • “Small Church Essentials: Field-Tested Principles for Leading a Healthy Congregation of Under 250” by Karl Vaters – Most of the people in the launch team are pastors of small churches, but I’ve benefitted from the information because Greg is an elder at our small church and we lead a small group. I’m looking forward to sharing more about the book and my small church experience with you.

On the screen

The big question here is why did nobody tell me I could download Amazon Prime shows to my Kindle so when we’re all sitting in the small room at the orthodontist while Cate is getting braces my other two can still watch a show? Okay, I’ll forgive y’all now that I know. Also, related, my toddler now thinks Bubble Guppies live on my Kindle.

I typically like TV shows more than movies, but I have a movie to tell you about: “The Big Sick.” I loved it so much. Warning: There is some language, but the story had romantic comedy elements I loved mixed in with the drama too. The lead guy is playing himself in the movie, so that’s fun too. It’s an Amazon original, so thank you, again, Prime. (Did you know you can try Amazon Prime FREE for 30 days?)

And, yes, I already confessed to watching “The Bachelor,” and that most certainly happened this month. In reality TV news, Greg and I both are excited for a new “Survivor” season starting tonight.

If you were on my porch on one of these sunshiny afternoons, what would you tell me about your February? {Tweet that.}

*****

#PorchStories friends, I’m giving away a copy of Passion’s new album. Be sure to enter to win today because I’m randomly choosing a winner tomorrow.

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
 Loading InLinkz ...

Remembering what God has done

by 24 Comments

As a mom, I haven’t found myself sad about my kids getting older, but I do worry I will forget all the details of our days. I love the stories of the funny things they say and do. I want to point them to Jesus when they open their hearts and minds to me. I want to measure their growth on more than a doorframe.

They have baby books, binders with school papers, books that document each school year, and birthday books we fill out each year. I take many pictures that end up online and in scrapbooks. I share some of their childhood on my blog and have ongoing notes on my phone so I can remember their words.

Documenting life is important to me because
I want to remember what God has done.

{Tweet that.}

“Questions & Answers for Kids” is a fabulous addition to the collection of tools to capture the everyday moments of my kids’ childhoods. It’s 365-day journal with questions for each day and space to answer them each for three years. The questions prompt conversations and I love jotting down their answers. Then we’ll get to look at it again next year and the year after that.

The timing is good for this multi-year documentation. I started my own five-year journal this year that has space to write a sentence a day. This is a fun kid-version of that same idea, and I’m thrilled to have it.

Questions include both serious and silly prompts: What’s the difference between a mistake and a bad choice? What qualities are in a true friend? What animal makes the coolest noise? What is the worst smell in the world?

“If you were given three wishes, what would they be?” was a question that prompted answers of material things from my 8-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl. Ben talked about Nerf guns, Lego sets, and money while Cate stuck with her love of horses. But the scripture from John 15:7 at the bottom gave me pause: “If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

Well, God isn’t a genie. He certainly cares about the desires of our hearts (as simple as they may be), but He cares more about our souls. His plan for our lives doesn’t always involve exactly what we think we want, but He gives gifts that surpass anything we can imagine as we live in His will.

So, you know, a simple question about wishes can lead to a more meaningful conversation – and I’ll take that anytime, especially with my kids! Although I will say the other scriptures I’ve read seem to be much more in sync with the context as well as God’s truth.

My kids aren’t surprised when I ask them questions or document their lives. I really do believe one day they’ll be grateful to be able to look back on their own lives and see what God did right in the middle of our ordinary days.

Plus then I can remember these the ordinary days that reflect God’s glory.

About the book

“Questions and Answers for Kids” is a journal that provides a unique way to gather your family to intentionally grow together. This little book will serve your family well as a place to meet together daily to talk about both the silly and the serious and document it along the way.

Together you and your kids will be able to visit the same question on the same day for three years and watch how your child’s thoughts about life and the world change. Each question is also partnered with an encouraging verse from the Bible that will help point your family together to what the word of God says about the serious and the funny. This is a priceless way to get to know your child and help guide them in following Jesus.

This hardback, 370-page journal is published by Freely Give Co. (Feb. 18, 2018). Author Scott Bowen is a dad who wanted to write some conversation-starter questions for his son.

Freely Give Company is driven by its love of creativity and curating beautiful and unique gift boxes that bring hope, encouragement, and joy to families, friends, and loved ones. Find this book at Freely Give or on Amazon.

Other resources

I alluded to other books and journals I use to document my life and my kids’ lives. Here are links to those, if you’re interested …

Now, tell me, if documenting life is important to you, how do you do it?

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
 Loading InLinkz ...

*****

 I received a free copy of this book from Freely Give Co. to review, but I’m so glad I know about it now because I really love documenting life this way. These opinions are my own, and I’m definitely going to continue asking my kids questions.