Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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You Are Beautiful

January 22, 2014 by Kristin Leave a Comment

“How amazing that he brings life this way. Through pain and hurt and the ugly things inside us we try to keep hidden away. The things we don’t talk about. In that moment, as I looked at my little girl lying in my arms, I realized this whole process was such a striking picture of how Christ works in us. He takes our disappointments, rejections, and hard times, and he makes something beautiful. He creates life and shows us what beauty looks like in places where we look and see nothing. He blesses us beyond our imaginations, in spite of all the broken roads we’ve walked. In fact, maybe he blesses us so lavishly because of all the broken roads we’ve traveled. As if to remind us that he sees us — really sees us — not just for who we are at any given moment, but for what we could be one day.” 

{Melanie Shankle in “Sparkly Green Earrings“}

Becoming a momma was the hardest season of my life. It involved waiting and wondering. I let go over and over again because my plan wasn’t working. I cried so many times and had my blood drawn just as often.

But then God turned us to adoption. The peace came just as I gave up trying.

Trying to become a momma.

Trying to have a family.

Trying to get pregnant.

Trying …

I gave it up. And God gave me a daughter. 

I’ve blogged about adoption often here. And it’s not even what I sat down to write in response to Holley Gerth’s prompt “You’re beautiful … just the way you are.”

But then I remembered that quote from Melanie Shankle’s book I loved reading last spring. And these words came on this cold winter morning.

I see my girl who made me a momma six years, eight months, and 16 days ago. She’s not that baby girl anymore. She’s taller and wiser. She’s a reader, a writer, an artist, and Lego builder. She likes to swim and ride her bike.

Yes, those big, brown eyes are beautiful.

Yes, the way she smiles melts my heart. And I love the way her hair never parts the same way twice.

Yes, she likes pretty things, sparkles on her shoes and designs on her shirts.

But her life is beautiful. Her story is beautiful. Her life was the choice of a teenage girl who was brave and selfless. Her life redeemed the hard season of waiting and trying that broke my heart over and over again. Her life strengthened my faith and is part of our family’s story that I love to tell.

This is beauty, friends.

When the light shines, you realize that hard road was worth it. Yes, there are disappointments in life, but they don’t make up life. The blessings are coming. Like when winter turns to spring, the beauty will come.

You are beautiful, my daughter. You are beautiful, my momma friend who is in a hard season. You are beautiful, the one who is waiting and trying. You are beautiful, the one having to make a hard decision. You are beautiful.  

________

I’m linking up with Holley Gerth, who is giving weekly prompts so our words can encourage, with Beth Stiff’s Three Word Wednesday, and Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory.

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Filed Under: adoption, books, Cate, Coffee for Your Heart, faith, life, motherhood, quotes, Three Word Wednesday

Comments

  1. kasmith03 says

    January 22, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Such a wonderful post friend…a reminder that in whatever season we may find ourselves – we are beautiful!!

    Reply
  2. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 22, 2014 at 8:22 pm

    Thanks, Kristin. It's funny when I sat down to write I had one idea in mind. And then the post turned out different. I'm loving Holley's prompts.

    Reply
  3. Barbie says

    January 23, 2014 at 6:40 am

    Such a beautiful post! What a beautiful gift the Lord has given to you in your daughter!

    Reply
  4. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 23, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    Thanks, Barbie! She's certainly one of the best gifts God has ever given me. God did it again 30 months after her with our boy. Thanks for stopping by!

    Reply
  5. Beth says

    January 23, 2014 at 9:41 pm

    She is simply precious! What a blessing. Your words were beautiful. And this is such good truth… "Yes, there are disappointments in life, but they don't make up life. The blessings are coming." Blessing upon blessing.
    Much love,
    Beth

    Reply
  6. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 24, 2014 at 1:16 am

    Thanks, Beth. We certainly feel blessed with our kids' stories. It's always good to see you here.

    Reply
  7. Kelcie Huffstickler says

    January 26, 2014 at 3:40 am

    She sure is beautiful! And so are these words. <3

    Reply
  8. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 26, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    Thanks, Kelcie! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Tina @ GirlwithaNewLife2.com says

    January 28, 2014 at 3:51 pm

    Thank you for sharing your adoption story. Something beautiful can grow from difficult circumstances.

    Reply
  10. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 28, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    That is so true. Thanks for your comment, Tina!

    Reply

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About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our ninth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear sixth-grade boy, and our joy-filled kindergarten girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

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“Writing is what makes me happy. Writing, even, “Writing is what makes me happy. Writing, even, is how I feel I contribute to the world. Reminding people of what’s important. Letting them escape the harsh parts of life, even if it’s just for a few hours. Helping them feel happiness through watching happily-ever-afters unfold. Remembering truths. Recalling their self-worth. Loving others. Living well. Learning. I want to do that.” 

And, let’s be honest, love stories about writers make me happy too. “Meet Me in the Margins” was cute, predictable, and a good way to escape for a little while. 

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My friend @marycarver gets me. She knows us moms spend a million hours a week taxiing people to school and sports and church and friends’ houses and errands and appointments. And maybe we linger longer before coming in the house with arms full of groceries and bags and papers and books … because we just need a minute. Or maybe we answer some texts before we pull away from the store and catch up on phone calls while we drive or show up early to pickup to read a book that has captured our attention. 

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https://kristinhilltaylor.com/2022/08/20-years.html

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