Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Peace in the Process
    • Bringing Home More Than Groceries
  • Contact

Grace that inspires

February 26, 2014 by Kristin Leave a Comment

With markers in hand, Cate was creating a detailed picture for Gran-Gran’s birthday present. It involved a rainbow and leprechaun. Although I’m not entirely sure of the significance, I know she had a plan. When Ben haphazardly swiped the red marker across the corner of the paper near the sunshine, Cate was irritated. She thought her vision was messed up with the stray red markers.

I totally get that reaction, but I reminded her  Gran-Gran was going to love whatever she made. With some convincing, she let go of the irritation she had for Ben’s interference and finished her picture while Ben kept his marks on his own picture.

We went about our weekend that included a granddaughter-planned surprise party for Gran-Gran. I forgot about the picture snafu the day before.

The day after the party, Cate was talking about how she made the sunshine rays out of the red mark Ben left on her paper. She was talking to me, but Ben was listening closely.

“You aren’t mad?” Ben asked.

“No. That was yesterday,” Cate said

She had no hesitation in her voice. She meant it.

She had moved on. Truly.

I explained how she was demonstrating grace and forgiveness to her brother. Having held onto too many grudges myself, I was proud of her for realizing letting go was so much freer than dwelling on imperfect interference.

“I thought I just changed my attitude,” Cate said in response to my lesson on grudges.

Ah, yes, an attitude adjustment. She’s right. Changing her attitude helped her let go. Letting go helped her enjoy the rest of the day, including the party she was thrilled to plan with her cousins.

Grudges create barriers between people and hearts. Grace opens the door to joy.

_______

Author Holley Gerth asks, Who inspires you?

These two little ones do. {They wouldn’t like me calling them little. But they’re 6 1/2 and 4. They’re still little.}

They’re full of joy and ideas and dreams and grace. Yes, sometimes the energy and ideas pile on my weary momma brain and lead me to mental exhaustion. But their innocence and life remind me of what matters.

Some days I don’t feel equipped to be a mom, their mom.

I don’t want Cate to carry a burden of perfectionism like I have for so long. Her personality leans that way already, and I want to show her freedom that only comes from laying it all down at the foot of the cross.

I don’t want to silence Ben’s joy, but on the days I become annoyed with the noises and repeating words and constant movement I’m afraid that’s what I’ll end up doing. Knowing how best to channel his energy while still training him that there are times to stop talking and moving is hard.

But then I see Cate’s big, brown eyes soaking up life and Ben plotting his next joke and endearing interaction. God reminds me of the faith journey he’s brought me on. Their adoptions followed a heart-wrenching infertility season. Their lives are testimonies to God’s faithfulness.

God most certainly wanted me to a be a mom, their mom. 

Learning about laying down perfection and teaching my daughter to do the same is possible because of the faith journey that led us here. Figuring out how to be a boy mom is part of my story. These two are my God-sized dreams personified. Greg and I want God to have his way in our family. I don’t always know what that means, but I know the One who does, even on the hard days.

If I knew how to do it all perfectly right now, then I wouldn’t need the One who gives and sustains life. I want that grace that Cate showed her brother to swing our front door open. I want joy to come in here.

________

I’m joining writers at God-sized Dreams, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for Your Heart, Beth Stiff’s Three Word Wednesday, and Jennifer Dukes Lee’s #TellHisStory. 

This post is part of something happening in my heart hearing the message that I’m pre-approved in God’s love. Next week I’ll join Jennifer Dukes Lee and others who are saying yes to God and laying down idols as the Lenten season begins. I’ve gotten a sneak peek at “Love Idol: Letting Go of Your Need for Approval and Seeing Yourself through God’s Eyes,” Jennifer’s book that is inspiring this movement. I’ve read enough to know you’ll want to pre-order it and have it in your hands when it releases on April 1. Her post today introduces you to the movement and offers some fun printables. 

Want more stories? Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’, or subscribe to receive “Insights in Your Inbox.”

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Ben, Cate, Coffee for Your Heart, faith, family, God-sized dreams, motherhood, Three Word Wednesday

Comments

  1. soulstops says

    February 26, 2014 at 3:54 pm

    Kristin,
    What a tender and beautiful story about your kids….they are blessed to have you as their mom 🙂 Saying "yes" to grace and joy with you 🙂

    Reply
  2. KristinHillTaylor says

    February 26, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    Thanks, Dolly. It's good to see you here.

    Reply
  3. Kathy Schwanke says

    February 26, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    Kristin, I love your blog! {You Got Mail ringing in my ears! Love!!} And turning red streaks into rays. Isaiah 61! It's so reminiscent of Jesus! He brings beauty from ashes. Glad we are on this journey together!
    Also wondering, is this a wordpress blog? And if so, what is the name of the theme? I like your font and the theme I am using has a font I don't especially like.

    Reply
  4. KristinHillTaylor says

    February 26, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    Hi, Kathy! Thanks for your sweet comment.

    I just went to read Isaiah 61 and I'll be holding on to verse 7, especially: "Instead of your shame, you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land and everlasting joy will be yours."

    This is actually a Blogger blog and a general template that I tweaked. Is it the font on the post itself you like? That's called Trebuchet.

    Reply
  5. Melanie Dorsey says

    February 26, 2014 at 10:12 pm

    What a beautiful lesson your daughter has already learned. I love the line, "that was yesterday." How sweet, too, your boy in listening carefully to hear his sister was holding no grudges.

    Reply
  6. KristinHillTaylor says

    February 26, 2014 at 10:19 pm

    Those unexpected, meaningful conversations are some of my favorite moments of being a mom! Thanks for visiting, Melanie!

    Reply
  7. Jennifer Jackson Linck says

    February 26, 2014 at 10:48 pm

    Great post! I want to offer grace to others and myself as easily as your daughter. 🙂

    Reply
  8. KristinHillTaylor says

    February 26, 2014 at 10:49 pm

    Thanks, Jennifer! Yes, I want that too. I didn't expect these faith lessons when I became a mom – silly me. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Patricia W Hunter says

    February 26, 2014 at 11:55 pm

    Wonderful post, Kristin. Your children are so blessed to have a momma like you – one who recognizes her own bent toward perfectionism {like the rest of us} and is determined to do all she can to keep it away from her little ones {4 and 6.5 are little}. Happy to be on this journey with you.

    Reply
  10. KristinHillTaylor says

    February 27, 2014 at 12:55 am

    Thanks, Patricia! Being a mom is the hardest thing I've ever done, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. That's how the best things in life are, right? 🙂

    Reply
  11. Elise Daly Parker says

    February 27, 2014 at 5:25 am

    Clearly you're an intentional mom…and you take joy in your kids. A beautiful combination. Love Idol sounds spot on! I can't wait to meet you!!

    Reply
  12. KristinHillTaylor says

    February 27, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    Oh, thanks for those kind words, Elise! I'm so excited to hang out with you this weekend too!

    Reply
  13. Beth says

    February 28, 2014 at 12:55 am

    A great message, as always. The joy you find in your children is always such a delight to read about. I just love your heart and I'm getting super excited about meeting you soon. {Hugs}

    Reply
  14. KristinHillTaylor says

    February 28, 2014 at 12:57 am

    Thanks, Beth! Spring is coming – that means warmer weather and YOU!

    Reply
  15. Sonya McCllough says

    March 1, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    It is but a Joy to meet ya in real life!

    Reply
  16. Angie Kay Webb says

    March 1, 2014 at 5:31 pm

    Glad to find you at Holley's site. Good to "meet" you. You can find me at http://angiekaywebb.com

    Reply
  17. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 1, 2014 at 11:22 pm

    You too, Sonya!

    Reply
  18. Mindy Whipple says

    March 2, 2014 at 10:00 pm

    Lovely examples in those kiddos. They are blessed to have you guide them.

    Reply
  19. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 2, 2014 at 11:10 pm

    I'm so blessed, Mindy! Good to see you here – hope you're doing well.

    Reply
  20. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 12, 2014 at 2:31 am

    Hi, Angie! Good to see you here. Somehow your comment ended up in the Spam filter, but I rescued it tonight. 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

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.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • Books of 2022 … so far
  • Helping adopted teens belong
  • Laundry talk
  • Brave Ben & his broken heel
  • Fifteen

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

My kids had a yearbook signing party today. And ki My kids had a yearbook signing party today. And kids today don’t know how to sign yearbooks. Cate, my rising sophomore, says it’s because they have phones to take photos and text each other. She’s probably right. 

But the whole conversation and experience took me down memory lane. So much so, I got these yearbooks from my high school days off my bookshelf and read notes. Admittedly, I can’t remember a few people who proclaimed what a great friend I was and I never called some people who wanted to KIT — that’s Keep In Touch, kids — and left their phone numbers (and pager number in one instance!)! 🤣 

I also proceeded to text the three friends (well, really, five, because two girls married two guy friends of mine) with whom I do actually KIT. I have their numbers saved in my iPhone, thankfully. We have made grown-up memories together. We message and try to see each other. My husband knows their maiden names. 

Truly, how has it been 25 years since I graduated from Oldham County High School? I’m sitting on the porch now, rememebering how faithful God has been and thinking about how high school seems like a lifetime ago but also like yesterday. 💙

HAGS, everybody! 

#memorylane #highschool #livingfaithfully #yearbooks #choosingJOY #reallife
Cat nap! 💕 #catsofinstagram #thirdchild #napt Cat nap! 💕 

#catsofinstagram #thirdchild #naptimeshenanigans #PorchStories #reallife #88daysofsummer #summerisbest
A weekend mostly at home meant I read this domesti A weekend mostly at home meant I read this domestic thriller. I’ve always seen @diane.chamberlain.author’s books, but this was the first one I read. I’ve already downloaded others to my Kindle. 

Living with a secret is all Eve Elliot knows. Her life unravels when she confesses to what she knows and there are ripple effects for her husband and two daughters. I thought I had it all figured out and then there was another surprise right at the end! 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite #booklover #weekending
Little fish 🐠 big pool 💦 happy place ☀️ Little fish 🐠 big pool 💦 happy place ☀️

#poolpeople #thirdchild #88daysofsummer #choosingJOY #PorchStories #weekending #momlife
Well, COVID has changed our vacation plans. Honest Well, COVID has changed our vacation plans. Honestly, it’s hard to believe two-plus years later, and COVID is still interrupting all kinds of things. I know it’s a privilege to travel, but there’s still disappointment. Regardless, we can’t board a cruise ship in Canada on Monday to go to Alaska when my boy tested positive for COVID last night. (Yes, twice. 🤦🏻‍♀️)

But the real point of this post: we are regrouping and going to Wisconsin Dells next week. I’m excited to see somewhere new, even if it’s not what I’d been planning. Let’s be honest, the logistics to get to the cruise were already a lot, so maybe this closer-to-home trip is meant to be right now. 

Anyway, who has been to Wisconsin Dells area? We found a condo and have a list of things going, but I’m accepting all entertainment and restaurant recommendations.

#wisconsindells #reallife #covid_19 #covid #momlife #88daysofsummer #summervacation
I don’t really want to get into an abortion deba I don’t really want to get into an abortion debate here, but I will always champion the unborn, advocate for life, and support mothers and families. When I say “choose life,” I mean in and out of the womb. Choosing life begins with not having an abortion, but it continues to advocating for adoption, foster care, support for moms in lots of different situations. 

Western Kentucky is blessed with resources that do this, including @lifehousemurray in Murray and @_hopecenter in Mayfield. Those are great places to send your money and diapers, recommend to moms expecting or raising little ones, and keep in your prayers. 

If you know someone fostering, we have Partners In Care Foster Closet that offers clothes and supplies to western Kentucky foster families. No strings attached. 

I will forever be an open book about adoption, so I’ll be happy to talk about that with anyone who desires to know more. I even wrote a book about our adoption stories: bit.ly/PeaceInTheProcess #linkinbio 

My three kids have life because three women chose it for them. Those decisions changed my life for the better, and that’s only one piece of a much bigger story. 

#prolife #chooselife #adoptionislove #momlife #authorlife #livingfaithfully #PeaceInTheProcess #reallife #unplannedpregnancy #adoption #family #sisters #siblinglove #currentevents #roevwade #lifematters
Here we are halfway through the year, and so far I Here we are halfway through the year, and so far I've read 40 books. That pace is well beyond my usual number for the year. Last year I read 62 total. I don't join challenges, plan what I'm going to read next, or even have a goal. But I still love keeping track. 

Some things to know about my reading habits: I like actual books, but I've been reading often on my waterproof Kindle Paperwhite. I introduced audiobooks into my life this year and especially enjoyed some memoirs while I was driving around while the kids were in school. I will quit books if I can't get into them, and I've done that a few times this year. I almost always have a book (or books, hello, Kindle) with me, you know, just in case I happen upon some time to read. Here are some other tips for making time for books and reading more.

Today #ontheblog I'm sharing the list of the 40 books I've read so far this year. #linkinbio What else do I need to read this year?

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #librarybooks #bloggerlife #amreading #favoritethings #choosingJOY
The third installment in Abby Jimenez’s The Frie The third installment in Abby Jimenez’s The Friend Zone series may have been my favorite in this enjoyable rom-com series that also takes on some serious topics. (See two previous #KHTreads posts for the other two!)

I was reading it on my Kindle, but then I was early to pick up one of my kids … and realized I forgot my Kindle. I swung by the library and read a few chapters in print while I waited. I couldn’t waste reading time! 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #librarybooks #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite #reallife #momlife #romcombooks
We’ve taken Cate on two mission trips to Guatema We’ve taken Cate on two mission trips to Guatemala with our family, but sending her with our @hardinbaptistchurch family still felt like a big deal. I’m so thankful for the influence @cbright2, @j.essicalouis, @maggiehelms, and others get to have on my girl during these important high school years.

Cate and her friends got to help host a block party, serve at a local church, work in community gardens and at a foster home, and see some Chicago sites. Through it all, I’m thankful she could draw nearer to Jesus and experience ministry in a new way. 

#livingfaithfully #momlife #firstborn #churchlife #88daysofsummer #missiontrip
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2022 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM