Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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

{Three Word Wednesday} Moment by Moment

January 21, 2015 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Nineteen years and one day ago I decided to follow Jesus. Somebody had just talked about the Prodigal Son and how he came home. The worship band played “Growing Young” by Rich Mullins. And I nailed some sins written on a slip of paper to a wooden cross laying in the floor.

You’d say I was saved that night.

But I’ve since learned salvation is about so much more than that one moment. Of course, that one moment mattered because it changed every other one that would follow.

That night I believed I was saved from myself and eternal separation from God. I’ve since realized I was saved for something too. My salvation frames my story. My choices – where I went to college, who I dated, who I married, trying to conceive, deciding the adopt, how I spend my time, how I spend my money, what we teach our kids – are continually filtered through my identity as a daughter of God who decided 19 years ago to come home.

Although, really, it’s not about just coming home.

I’ve never been the rebellious one. I’m your stereotypical first-born child who follows rules, wants to please people, and has controlling tendencies. When I first heard the story of the Prodigal Son, I figured God wanted us all to learn that we need to come home – to him. And when we do, he’s waiting for us.

While that’s absolutely true, I don’t think that’s all the story is about. {If you don’t know the story, read it here.}

Truthfully, I identify more with the older brother – the one who kept the rules and was bitter when his brother got a party and grace when he deserved judgment and punishment. My natural ways tend more toward justice than mercy.

But I follow a God who is the exact opposite.

“You can choose, like many, to chain yourself to your hurt. Or you can choose, like some, to put away your hurts before they become hates. You can choose to go the party. You have a place there. Your name is beside a plate. If you are a child of God, no one can take away your sonship.

Which is precisely what the father says to the older son. ‘Son, you are always with me, and all I have is yours’ (Luke 15:31). And that is precisely what the Father says to you. How does God deal with your bitter heart? He reminds you that what you have is more important than what you don’t have. …

The brother was bitter because he focused on what he didn’t have and forgot what he did have. His father reminded him – and us – that he had everything he’d always had. He had his job. His place. His name. His inheritance. The only thing he didn’t have was the spotlight. And because he wasn’t content to share it – he missed the party.”

{Max Lucado in “He Still Moves Stones”}

Because of who God is, I’m not the same person I was 19 years ago. It began with a moment of salvation and has continued as God has saved me, adopted me, promised me, grown me, transformed me, taught me, strengthened me, forgiven me, trusted me, and celebrated me so many moments since.

Some hurts still haunt me, but I know God is dealing with those now. I’m sure there will be more hurts, but God promises in the end everything will work together for the good for those who follow him (Romans 8:28).

I was saved then. And I’m being saved now. Moment by moment. Grace by grace.

__________

An InLinkz Link-up


___________

I’m also linking up this post with Holley Gerth’s Coffee for Your Heart and Jennifer Dukes Lee’s #TellHisStory. 

Want more stories? “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family” is available on Amazon. 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: books, Coffee for Your Heart, faith, quotes, Three Word Wednesday

Comments

  1. JViola79 says

    January 21, 2015 at 12:09 pm

    Kristin, this is a most powerful post! I want to be able to celebrate & come alongside others & celebrate with them & for them. Yet how often the "older brother syndrome" can creep in if we are not careful. May I continually focus on Him and His grace offered to me today, in this moment. Powerful & beautiful reminder!
    ** Are those your children? They are beautiful!
    Have a blessed Wednesday!

    Reply
  2. Kaylie Hodges says

    January 21, 2015 at 12:16 pm

    Kristen, I too am more natural inclined toward justice and I have found learning mercy and compassion has led me through some hard lessons! Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  3. Beth says

    January 21, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    There were my two favorite words at the end . . . But God. Thank you, God, for your grace and for all the ways you continue to grow and transform us. Loved this post, Kristin. xoxo

    Reply
  4. Karen Brown says

    January 21, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    Yes- I am the older brother, too. This moved me today. Thanks for working through this powerful message and putting such beautiful words to it. Loved it!

    Reply
  5. Dawn says

    January 21, 2015 at 2:49 pm

    I so get what you are saying. It could be because I am the oldest, a rule follower, a justice lover and slowly recovering control freak who falls off the proverbial 'I am giving it back to God' wagon. You said, " My salvation frames my story" and I get that, too. It should, though, you know. It should frame our everything. It should be the one independent factor in all the variables of our living. It is good to be in such like company with you, Kristin. 🙂
    Bless you!
    Dawn

    Reply
  6. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 21, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    I am so grateful my salvation is the foundation of everything else is life. And I'm glad God didn't leave me who I was 19 years ago. Thanks for your encouragement here, Dawn!

    Reply
  7. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 21, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    I'm glad you were encouraged, Karen. And I'm glad you're here.

    Reply
  8. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 21, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    I actually thought of you when I wrote them. 🙂 Love you, friend!

    Reply
  9. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 21, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    Thank God for mercy and compassion, even if it's not my natural tendency! 🙂 Thanks for being here, Kaylie!

    Reply
  10. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 21, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    Hi, Joanne! Those are my kids FOUR years ago. Goodness, time flies. They were 1 and 3 then, but that's the picture that came to mind when I was reading Max Lucado's comments on the Prodigal Son story. 🙂 Thanks for being here today. I'm glad you were encouraged.

    Reply
  11. Susan says

    January 21, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    Oh Kristin, I missed linking today. My granddaughter's birthday and she posted. I'll catch TWW next week!

    Reply
  12. Tiffany says

    January 21, 2015 at 11:33 pm

    One of my greatest regrets is not marking the date I accepted the Lord. I knew the whereabouts and I remember the details, but not the date. I'll put on the list of things to ask Jesus in heaven. 🙂 I so related to your words today, Kristin. I wasn't the rebellious one either but instead the consummate people-pleasing-rule-follower. I think that is one of the biggest things Christ saved me from – myself. Depending on me and following after me and instead turning to Him for all things. He still saves me from that every single day. I'm just blessed beyond words to be able to link hearts here. Hugs!

    Reply
  13. Kasey Parr says

    January 22, 2015 at 1:55 am

    Kristin, You are right…our acceptance of Christ is the first step of being transformed into the image of Christ. Our salvation plays a part in every decision we make (or it should). Blessings, sweet friend, Kasey

    Reply
  14. Being Woven says

    January 22, 2015 at 2:01 am

    Kristin, your words truly are special for me too. So thankful that you came over today for reading yours is my story too and that confirmation. I laughed a bit when I read the oldest child's characteristics…me too!! I have been learning that God may have birthed me before my sisters but He wants those things…the controlling spirit, the pleasing everyone and all, etc. to be laid at the foot of the Cross. I have and have also picked them up again, just to have to place them back. : ) Still learning…still in school.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

    Reply
  15. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 22, 2015 at 3:18 pm

    Thanks, Melody! 🙂

    Reply
  16. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 22, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    It's good to know we aren't alone. Thanks for being here with encouragement, Linda!

    Reply
  17. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 22, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    Thank you, Kasey!

    Reply
  18. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 22, 2015 at 3:20 pm

    I don't know that I would have remembered the exact date except it was a retreat type weekend so I could go back and look at the calendar because I knew which weekend it was. I didn't document life then like I do now. 🙂 I'm so grateful for you being here. xoxo

    Reply
  19. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 22, 2015 at 3:20 pm

    I missed you linking up too! Hope she had a lovely birthday!

    Reply
  20. Joan Davis says

    January 23, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    Wow…I wonder what was happening in heaven 19 years ago? That's when I gave my life over to Christ as well! Since that time (and even before) God has been continually growing and shaping me, changing me into the person I am today and who I will be tomorrow. He has seen me through some ups and some major downs, but, He has never left my side. What an awesome God we serve!

    Blessings, Joan

    Reply
  21. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 23, 2015 at 7:43 pm

    Ahhh! I love thinking about the party in heaven. In fact, I have chills right now. So glad you shared that piece of your testimony here, Joan. Looking back on a salvation experience is so interesting. I can see definite moments used to get me to that moment in the months (even years) leading up to then. Thanks for sharing here, Joan.

    Reply
  22. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 23, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    Hi, Jennifer! I love seeing you here and reading your encouraging words. Isn't God amazing?! xoxo

    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 high school girl who never forgets, our middle school boy who has no fear, and our joy-filled first-grade 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

  • How to enjoy motherhood
  • How & why to travel with kids
  • From snow to sand
  • Books of 2022
  • How to enjoy winter days at home

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

I needed this weekend. The UK Wildcats didn’t I needed this weekend. 

The UK Wildcats didn’t win this afternoon like I had hoped. But following our house full of people on Friday night, I’ve spent a lot of time on my couch, under a soft blanket, with a book, while I watch #MarchMadness. 

Yesterday I pulled “When We Left Cuba” by @chanelcleeton from my to-be-read stack and then realized it was the second in a series about the Perez family. Thanks to @libby.app, I was able to get “Next Year in Havana” immediately. 

I finished it today during commercials and timeouts. And now I’m going to start “When We Left Cuba” as another basketball game also gets going. 

#KHTreads #basketballseason #weekending #bookstagram #reallife #booklover #librarybooks #KindleOasis #Kindlebooks #favoritethings
What a fun night! Basketball is best with friends What a fun night! Basketball is best with friends and food. So thankful for all these provisions and others in my life. Oh and a Cats win is icing on the cake. 

#MarchMadness #weekending #basketballseason #bettertogether #choosingJOY #BigBlueNation
You know it’s #MarchMadness when Greg Taylor pos You know it’s #MarchMadness when Greg Taylor posts on Facebook — and a picture at that! — and puts his radio/TV degree to work figuring out how to improve the viewing setup. 

#reallife #basketballseason #wifelife #choosingJOY
I had no idea just how deeply I would be affected I had no idea just how deeply I would be affected while studying Genesis 1-2. Going back to the beginning and seeing how God created, ordered, and filled the earth has been exactly what I didn’t know I needed, especially as a mom. 

For quite a while now, I feel like I’ve been living a day at a time. I used to be able to see my life in larger chunks of time and anticipate and prepare accordingly. Now, I slap things on the calendar and then deal with them as they come. Navigating life with two teenagers and a first-grader is the best and hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Honestly, this moment-to-moment living has been good for me and helped me rely on the God who created the stars and rivers that still exist in our world. Focusing on where I am helps me take slower steps, trust God to provide, and remember I’m not in control. I’ve felt an internal shift with my relationships — with my husband, kids, and friends. I’ve felt behind on laundry and dishes and piles of papers. But I’ve also felt a refreshed nearness to God. 

I’m going to rest here while believing God created life and light when there was only darkness and continues to order my days. 

#livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #momlife #faithlife #preceptstudy #genesisstudy #genesis #beginnings #reallife #PorchStories
My friend @ashleelyoung told me about this memoir, My friend @ashleelyoung told me about this memoir, but I knew nothing about Sutton Foster or her story beforehand. She’s a TV actress and Broadway singer and dancer who processes her life — complicated family life, love, loss, spotlight, infertility, adoption, motherhood — by creating. She creates in the kitchen, on stages, with yarn, with paint, with her hands, and with her mind. But her story really is all the experiences and emotions that inspire her creative work. I enjoyed this one. 

#KHTreads #memoirs #bookstagram #booklover #audiobooks #audible #bookreview
Also from the weekend: Shout out to @lifehousemurr Also from the weekend: Shout out to @lifehousemurray for putting on the fabulous @beautiful.you.conference with @meggpam from @shelivespurposefully. My girl and her friends had a great time together and my momma heart is thankful this is how they chose to spend a Saturday morning. 

#momlife #girlmom #teenagers #weekending #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #latergram
Yesterday was one of my favorite kids of days with Yesterday was one of my favorite kids of days with some of my favorite friends. Kids played inside and out, the TV was never on, and new memories were made with old friends. Plus we ended the night with our ninth year of Little Hands Trivia Night. It was our worst finish ever, but we still had such a fun time! 

#bettertogether #weekending #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY
I’ve told you about Cate’s basketball season, I’ve told you about Cate’s basketball season, but we celebrated it (and the other middle and high school players) last night. What a joy, truly! She was surprise with the Lions Award for her overall approach to the game and her teammates. 

This context is basketball, but the bigger community and broader learning that happens are ultimately even more important. And, hey, middle school boys, you were also so much fun to watch! I’m so thankful Ben was part of that team. 

Shout out to the Schroeders for Tim being the coach of four teams and all the family time sacrificed as well as the other coaches and families who made it all possible. 

Give me a little break, and then I will be ready for more Lions and Lady Lions basketball to come! Scheduling for the fall and winter will start soon. 

I’m so proud to be part of New Covenant Christian Academy! 💛 @ncca.lions #momlife #girlmom #boymom #basketballseason #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY
Once again, I stayed up too late finishing a book. Once again, I stayed up too late finishing a book. 

“Half Way to You” by @jennifergoldauthor was my #FirstReads choice from Amazon this month and I dived right in. I loved it! This is a multi-generational story full of love, heartbreak, friendships that span decades, and travel. The story is told as a reclusive author shares her real story with a young podcaster who has personal and professional interest. The way the lives is woven together is brutal and beautiful. 

#KHTreads #AmazonFirstReads #bookstagram #booklover #KindleOasis #kindlebooks #readersofinstagram
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2023 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM