Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Three Word Wednesday :: Peace & Pace

April 29, 2015 by Kristin Leave a Comment

“But if my hope is in a sovereign God who never changes – if my peace and my pace come from him and if I believe he is who he says he is and if I trust him to shepherd and shape my calling and the conditions of my life – then I’m less likely to get rattled. God speaks light and flings stars and multiples cells and sets the fetal heart beating. He’s way ahead of online cultures that morph and mushroom overnight. He’s bigger than politics, bigger than physical safety or danger, bigger than what’s trending today and forgotten tomorrow, bigger than both the landscape and the velocity of change. He’s bigger than fear.”

{From “Dragons and Dirt” by Dalene Reyburn}

I can get rattled and lose perspective. Sometimes I rush my kids to bed because I’m tired. I’ve been known to hurry people out the door or into a store because I want to tackle a to-do list of tasks cluttering my mind. Unexpected detours can make me frazzled and I don’t like to be late.

But I know God has me on a journey toward peace.

The journey has been long. And while I don’t think it actually has a starting point, I can pinpoint first noticing it in my soul when we were trying to conceive a baby and couldn’t. There are landmark moments, where I’ve posted signs in my mind as I look back.

Peace came when I let go of trying to have a baby and turned my attention to adoption. Peace was present when I made schooling decisions for my kids, finished writing projects, and talked with friends about real life. Peace comes in the presence of God.

My life hasn’t lacked peace entirely, but I’ve been rattled more often than I care to admit. God is teaching me more about what living with peace as my perspective means. I want to mark more moments on this journey with evidence of peace and joy.

For me, peace is so often related to my pace. 

I like to be on the go. I like trips and celebrations. I like being with my people. And I like dreaming of what’s next. But I can’t be like that every day. I need that part of the journey to have some pit stops included so I can catch my breath, re-establish my perspective, and process the action.

I know when my pace slows, God gives me a chance to understand peace – the peace that only he can give, the peace that passes my understanding. {Tweet that.}

Whether I’m moving or slowing or stopping, God’s there. He’s not surprised with my personality that sometimes seems it’s made up of contradictions. He’s not caught off guard when I need to regroup and refresh. He wants me to see him – how he’s prepared me, how he’s gone before me, and how he was with me in the past.

I wrote 24,049 words in my ebook and used “peace” in the title. And here I am still learning about this five-letter word and how really it’s the center of so much else for me.

God is using the foundation of where I’ve been to prepare me for what’s next, even if I don’t know what that looks like. {Tweet that.} But he is sovereign, never changes, gives light to the darkness, creates life, and promises to be with us.

________________

A few housekeeping notes :: I’m going to write more about “Dragons and Dirt: The Truth About Changing the World – and The Courage It Requires” by Dalene Reyburn soon. This book surprised me with how much it’s speaking into my life. I’m marking whole paragraphs that I want to remember and come back to. That quote above is one of them.

Also, I have a super fun announcement on Sunday {my 36th birthday!} so be sure to come back then. I hope you’ll be glad you did.
________________

152 Insights to My Soul

An InLinkz Link-up

I’m also linking up with the Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood Gathering. 

Want more insights? “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.”

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Filed Under: books, faith, life, quotes, Soli Deo Gloria, Three Word Wednesday

Comments

  1. Candace Creates says

    April 29, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    What an awesome quote, Kristin! Peace and pace are 2 things I desperately need help with. I can't wait to hear more about that book. Peace is definitely related to my pace as well. I can completely relate. Happy almost birthday, my friend!

    Reply
  2. Katie Reid says

    April 29, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    Great post Kristin. Joy and peace is something that my hubby prays for me, probably more than anything. Loved your tweetable statements, powerful and fresh air for this rushing mama.:)

    Reply
  3. Karen Brown says

    April 29, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    Love what you are sharing about peace. When He calls me to be still and know – and peace comes. You are so right that peace is related to my pace. And… I hope you have a very happy birthday on Sunday! 🙂 Thanks for sharing- I'm always encouraged by your words. Peace, friend.

    Reply
  4. KristinHillTaylor says

    April 29, 2015 at 12:32 pm

    Thanks, Katie! By default I'm a rushing momma too. So grateful God is faithful and patient with us. xoxo

    Reply
  5. KristinHillTaylor says

    April 29, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    Thank you, sweet Karen. I'm glad you could be encouraged and appreciate your kind comment and birthday wishes!

    Reply
  6. KristinHillTaylor says

    April 29, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    The book is a good one. I'm so glad I'm reading it right now. I like how peace and pace are so intertwined and the words are so similar. Nerdy comment, I know. 🙂 Thanks for being here, Candace!

    Reply
  7. KristinHillTaylor says

    April 29, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    Yes! I loved that study! Thanks for bringing it to mind again. I'm going to write a review soon, but, yes, add that book to your list! 🙂 xoxo

    Reply
  8. Kim Adams Morgan says

    April 29, 2015 at 2:00 pm

    Peace, definitely something I could not obtain on my own. No matter how hard I tried (and I have before), God is where I find peace. Sounds like a beautiful book. Congrats on getting so much writing done. Our pace certainly can get in the way of our peace, if we let it.

    Reply
  9. KristinHillTaylor says

    April 29, 2015 at 3:05 pm

    Oh, I try too … silly me. 🙂 Writing has given me a chance to slow down, reflect, and process life. So grateful for that time. Thanks for being here, Kim!

    Reply
  10. Tiffany says

    April 29, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    "For me, peace is so often related to my pace." Me too, Kristin. But often I don't notice until I slow down…then it's a revelation about how much better I do and feel when I'm not scattered and spinning. So grateful God keeps giving us those tangible lessons that help us grow.

    Reply
  11. KristinHillTaylor says

    April 29, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Yes, sometimes I don't realize I'm scattered and spinning (such an accurate description!) until I'm about to fall down. So grateful for God's grace to continue learning. And so grateful for your encouragement and presence here. Thanks, Tiffany!

    Reply
  12. Jen Ferguson says

    April 30, 2015 at 7:39 pm

    As you know, we were separated at birth, so it's no surprise that I am nodding my head along with your words. I have been learning much of the same thing – when I am rushing I am so NOT enjoying life. (Sidenote: I just learned that life is supposed to be enjoyable.) I want so much to recognize that when God is slowing me down it is because He doesn't want me to miss something. Something as huge as how much He loves me.

    Reply
  13. KristinHillTaylor says

    April 30, 2015 at 7:59 pm

    Yes, I'm right there with you! Our world tells us if we slow down we're going to miss something, but, really, it's the opposite with God. I love our in sync our lives are … now, if we could just live closer together … 🙂 Love you!

    Reply
  14. Laura says

    May 1, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    I'm focusing on this word peace now that I have just read your post. It's only 5 letters and one syllable, but it's a powerful word! I, too, like to be on the go…and even when I need a break, that break can be hard to find. In the chaos of life, though, it's possible to grab hold of peace. And I find that when I slow down, I feel the presence of God in a profound way.

    Reply
  15. KristinHillTaylor says

    May 1, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    "Peace" and "joy" are the words rocking my world lately. And they're such tiny words but oh-so mighty. So glad you could be encouraged, Laura! (And P.S. … are you on Twitter or do you have a blog page n Facebook? I was looking for you!)

    Reply

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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 eighth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear fifth-grade boy, and our joy-filled preschool girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

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I drive the same routes over and over. I know wher I drive the same routes over and over. I know where I am likely to see deer — even if I have to look closely. God sure did camouflage these creatures for this time of the year when trees are bare. 

I think about how everyone is going through some things. We are journey through lives, our paths crossing as we navigate circumstances and feelings people can’t always see. But we should know they’re there. 

Maybe we are waiting to fall in love or have a baby or get a new job. Maybe we are in the midst of grief from a friendship falling apart or a business decision providing in ways we never expected. Maybe decisions are haunting us or stumping us. Maybe we are anxious about the future or facing our past. Maybe we aren’t sure what’s next. 

There’s a million little and big things we face that not everyone we meet can see. The situations and emotions are camouflaged while we survive daily tasks, caring for our people, and figuring out how to adjust once again to whatever life throws our way. 

I don’t know what you’re facing, but I am certain you’re not alone. Your story won’t be camouflaged forever. The seasons change. New life comes. The deer usually travel together through the woods along my routes, and I’m convinced our lives are best when we journey together too. 

#countryliving #bettertogether #livingfaithfully #PorchStories #lessonsfromnature
Romantic comedies have fit my mood lately. I reall Romantic comedies have fit my mood lately. I really enjoyed this story and the characters’ history being woven into their current circumstances. I did have to skim some sex scenes that didn’t add much to the story for me. #amreading #romcombooks #bookstagram
I’ve loved Cate’s school experience at @ncca.l I’ve loved Cate’s school experience at @ncca.lions, a small but growing classical, Christian school. I knew there were both advantages and sacrifices of keeping her in a small class for middle school and agonized over possibly moving her to a bigger school. I only considered moving her because I wasn’t sure what her classmates, some of who are freshman this year, were going to do for high school. But they stayed, and we stayed. Now she’s an eighth grader in a class of nine. 

A couple years ago, I prayed for more girls. God gave her class two. Sometimes people move on, and sometimes people move in. But this sweet class of eighth and ninth graders has been faithful — to each other, to our school, to an unknown future. They’re paving a way for the students behind them, including my other two kids. 

God has been kind to my momma heart and given me some assurances she is where she’s supposed to be. One of these provisions is a basketball team that has become competitive with the other teams we’ve gotten to play. It’s more than just some games, though. I’ve watched my 13-year-old daughter become more confident on the court and in life. I’m grateful for her friends and their shared love of this game. I’m thankful for where God has us. 

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At a basketball game Thursday night, Ben told me h At a basketball game Thursday night, Ben told me he had a loose tooth and was going to go to the bathroom to maybe pull it. He pulled it. That’s #14, and he’s dealt with every single one, just as his older sister did with all 20 of hers.

Meanwhile, little sister has a loose tooth that she won’t wiggle, avoids using to eat, and won’t let her siblings pull. We’ve bribed, threatened, and failed to persuade.

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I was overdue for some TLC to my hair, so I got it I was overdue for some TLC to my hair, so I got it trimmed and colored this week. You know it’s time when the stylist takes before and after pictures. My friend @whitneyrscott at @blushsalon always does a good job. 

In addition to the much-needed TLC, I also got bangs. After a few days, I can say I love them. The resident teenager at my home doesn’t like this — and she tells me daily. I tell her I don’t care whether she likes them because I do and it’s my hair. She also didn’t like the tennis shoes I bought a few weeks ago. Again, I do, so who cares. 

Anyway, it’s Friday! So let’s do some #fridayintroductions around here. Tell me three things you’re loving these days. I’ve already mostly told you mine: 

1️⃣ My bangs. I’ve included a picture of the fun waves that Whitney gave me at the salon and the more likely normal styling — by that I mean blow drying and some minor straightening to train the bangs. 
2️⃣ New tennis shoes, which are gray & purple Brooks Launch 7, if you’re curious. My nail color accidentally matches them. 
3️⃣ The teenager in my house. I’ve been giving her grief about her dislike of my fashion choices, but I really love being around her. Honestly, she’s the easiest kid in my house right now. 

✨ Bonus current love: Who can tell me what TV character inspired my hairdo? If you know, then that’s also the TV show I recently binged and am eagerly awaiting new episodes. 

So, what are you loving — even if nobody else in your life does? #momconfessions #reallife #reallifeconfessions #momlife #choosingJOY
It’s been a night of basketball! First, my girl’s middle school game. Now, our favorite college team. Turns out they’re both navy & gold so that’s good for wardrobe choices. 💛 #girlmom #momlife #RacerNation #WeAreRacers #MurrayState
“The Chicken Sisters” by @kjda was a fun, quic “The Chicken Sisters” by @kjda was a fun, quick read this weekend. I added it to my to-read list recently and then saw it as a @bookofthemonth add-on.

I enjoyed the feuding sisters story unfolding while filming a realty show about their family’s feuding chicken restaurants in a small Kansas town. Of course, not everything is quite as it seems, so the reality show helps uncover some reality both sisters were missing.

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A week into Peggy’s recovery at our house, and t A week into Peggy’s recovery at our house, and these two have spent a lot of time together. Rachel encourages her and stays close. Peggy plays games and watches movies with Rachel.

Honestly, this #thirdchild of mine was probably my biggest concern with having Peggy recover from open heart surgery here: I didn’t want Rachel to hug too hard. I didn’t know if she’d understand that her Gran-Gran looks fine on the inside but hurts on the inside. She’s been booted from her room, but she’s been sleeping well on her mattress in the back living room. She’s actually probably not going to know what to do when Peggy moves back home.

For now, we’ll let them make memories together. That’s part of caretaking I hadn’t considered. #bettertogether #weekending #choosingJOY
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