Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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

Wide-open spaces

October 19, 2016 by Kristin 14 Comments

wide-open-spaces-10-19-16
Today’s post is vintage ThreeWordWednesday in that these three words – WIDE-OPEN SPACES – were twirling around my mind for days, so I just wrote on them. It’s like God gave me a writing prompt and I took it. More importantly, this is what he’s teaching me in my life, so here’s a snippet of what and how I’m learning. I’m grateful for this community that gathers here each Wednesday.

*****

I feel my mind is running wild with ideas. I’ve got inspiration for my ebook update. I have multiple parties in the planning stages. Greg and I talk about what we want for our land and home. Parenting has been hard in some regards, but I see the light in the cracks.

I’m (still) learning my ideas thrive best in wide-open spaces, when there is white space on my calendar and in my soul.

Honestly, this wide-open space is easier to find in the country. The literally space around me quiets my soul. When I’m home, I’m home and not thinking about running to the grocery for one thing. I group my errands so they’re in stretches and not scattered throughout the day.

Wide-open space in my day quiets and calms and inspires.

{Tweet that.}

Of course, there are days that are crowded and rushed, but I’m striving to not make that the norm. I’m saying “no” and “not right now” so I can say “yes” to what matter most.

This reminds me of the unforced rhythms of graces Jesus wants us to learn.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” {Matthew 11:28-30 The Message}

On Monday, the “yes” was to soccer in one of the actual wide-open spaces at our house. We had so much fun, laughing and playing. I walked back into the kitchen sweating but with a full heart — and, you know, that was some real rest for my soul. That playtime with my favorites was what we all needed. We didn’t need another afternoon of rushing through homework to get to chores before dinner. I made dinner earlier and then freed up a time to play.

Playing wasn’t on my to-do list but it’s what I needed to do – and thanks to some wide-open spaces it happened.

*****

britt-nicole-giveaway-10-18-16

Thanks to Capitol CMG, I’ve got another just because giveaway! And this one comes with a little confession: We love pop music around here. And when I say “we,” I mean all five of us. So who needs some truth-telling pop music in their life? Enter to win a copy of Britt Nicole’s newest CD through Oct. 24.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - 3 Word Wednesday
 Loading InLinkz ...
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this 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: Three Word Wednesday Tagged With: family, giveaway, life, Rachel

Comments

  1. Joanne Viola says

    October 19, 2016 at 6:29 am

    Kristin, I LOVE that photo! I loved it the day you posted it on FB. It is one of those photos which just says it all and without a single word 🙂 Rachel is teaching us all so many lessons and breathing a fresh word into some old lessons too! Blessings!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      October 19, 2016 at 7:21 am

      I’m telling you, God knows I need repetition in my life . 🙂 He’s been teaching me about rest and space … and then he gave me the opportunity to see my girl walking into her own wide-open spaces and capture the moment. Thanks for being here with your faithful encouragement. xoxo

      Reply
  2. Michele Morin says

    October 19, 2016 at 7:37 am

    I do find that I breathe easier on days when I MAKE TIME for my walk. That picture is so amazingly sweet. Thanks for this call to the “unforced rhythms of grace.”

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      October 19, 2016 at 8:10 am

      Yes, walking is one of my favorite ways to clear my head. Thank YOU for being here. xoxo

      Reply
  3. Lisa Appelo says

    October 19, 2016 at 8:03 am

    I love that wide margin on my calendar as well. Sometimes it makes me giddy to know we have nowhere to go all day or nothing huge on the calendar all week. You’re inspiring me to maybe even go out and *play* with my kiddos. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      October 19, 2016 at 8:11 am

      Oh, I know. I hold onto those days during the busy times and am grateful they always come again. Glad you’re here, Lisa!

      Reply
  4. Simply Beth says

    October 19, 2016 at 8:34 am

    I love you and your family!!! I know I don’t get by as often but I think of you often, friend. And I want to move to Kentucky or Tennessee in a space that is wide open… oh how I want that for us. One day. I keep telling Scott we don’t need to wait but he isn’t fully sold yet. Hugs to you. xoxo

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      October 19, 2016 at 2:58 pm

      You’ve been on my mind, friend! I loved seeing your pictures of your visit out west recently. Um, yes, please, move to Kentucky or Tennessee. That would make me so happy, selfishly. 🙂 Love you dearly.

      Reply
  5. Susan Shipe says

    October 19, 2016 at 11:11 am

    You are living “wide-open”, writing “wide-open”, parenting “wide-open” – it shows everywhere and I like it a lot!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      October 19, 2016 at 2:58 pm

      This comment made my day. Seriously, thank you.

      Reply
  6. Tara says

    October 19, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    Wide open spaces are a gift. We all need to find time for those places in our lives.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      October 20, 2016 at 10:01 am

      Yes, indeed!

      Reply
  7. Jeanne Takenaka says

    October 21, 2016 at 10:58 pm

    Kristin, freeing up the white space has ben such a challenge for me since this school year began. Your words hold such truth, one God hs had to remind me of many times–sometimes I need to say no to the good soI can say yes to the best.

    Thanks for the reminder!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      October 23, 2016 at 11:03 am

      It’s a challenge for me too, Jeanne. But I’m always glad when I do free up some space. Hoping you find some white space on your calendar and in your soul this week! Thanks for being here!

      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 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.

Learn more about my story here.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • Songs of Hope
  • Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First.
  • Looking for fun, longing for Eden
  • How to make celebrations fun
  • Let’s go where trust is without borders

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

Seven weeks after quadruple bypass heart surgery, Seven weeks after quadruple bypass heart surgery, my mother-in-law moved home today. We were happy to care for her and we are thrilled she’s doing so well. 

I knew she was faithful and strong before, but watching her recovery from open heart surgery convinced me even more of her steadfastness and courage.

#TeamTaylor #livingfaithfully #reallife #choosingJOY
After three weeks, they’ve returned to school! H After three weeks, they’ve returned to school! Here’s to hope on a Monday morning for whatever comes our way. #momlife #reallife #choosingJOY #siblinglove
Often I don’t want the weekend to end or the sea Often I don’t want the weekend to end or the season to change, but I’m looking forward to Monday after three weeks of quarantine and sickness then snow. I’m looking forward to the snow melting away and eager for spring to bloom.

I’m grateful for health and family and home and a fresh start. A walk through the melting snow with the sun shining and temperatures in the 50s was a sweet spot today. So was gathering with friends we hadn’t seen in too long after church.

Just a few days ago I felt defeated and weary. Now I’m feeling ready and hopeful. Transitions can be rough, but ultimately I’m thankful for new mercies and new seasons.

#weekending #reallife #socialdistancing #countryliving #bettertogether #winterweather #springiscoming #choosingJOY #girlmeetschange #livingfaithfully
We’re sad tonight was the last #MurrayState home We’re sad tonight was the last #MurrayState home basketball game of the season, but we are thankful we had some live winter entertainment. Of course, games looked and sounded different than usual, but the season isn’t over and we’ll be rooting for our blue & gold. 💛 #WeAreRacers #RacerNation #collegebasketball #TeamTaylor #weekending #socialdistancing #thirdchild
We all benefitted from getting outside today. Hone We all benefitted from getting outside today. Honestly, I was so bundled up I got a little warm because somehow I now live where 30 degrees (that feels like 21) is a heat wave. These three help me remember to loosen up and enjoy the moment. ❄️ 

#momlife #snowday #countryliving #socialdistancing #choosingJOY #reallife #winterweather #kentuckyweather
I'm glad I was able to contribute to "Songs of Hop I'm glad I was able to contribute to "Songs of Hope (Vol. 2)", which was compiled by fellow writers @kerilynnsnyder & @sarah_e_frazer. This devotional spends 31 days in the Psalms. 

I share about Psalm 68 and how God built a sanctuary for me at our house in the country and how I want to share that with others. I end the devotional with these questions and a prayer:

"Songs of Hope" offers encouraging truth to bring hope to your weary soul. The devotional is a digital product so you receive the PDF immediately and can read it on any device.  There's a #linkinbio to buy this devotional and more info #ontheblog. #bloggerlife #authorlife #amreading #psalms #psalm68 #bettertogether #hope #KHTreads
I ended 2020 saying it had been a weird year, but, I ended 2020 saying it had been a weird year, but, truthfully, the first six weeks of 2021 have been weird too. Weird seems like a weak word, but I can’t think of another. These past six weeks haven’t been bad, have included plenty of great moments, and shifted so many things in our house. Through it all, my best friend Jaclyn and I haven’t gotten to hang out much.

I’m thankful Greg picked up her and her girls in his four-wheel drive truck yesterday after his short day at the office. We bundled up for some time outside, the kids had legit snow cones, we combined food to make dinner, and various people played various games. Jaclyn and her girls went back to their house this morning, but we are all thankful for old friends & new memories.

#bettertogether #winterweather #reallife #countryliving #snowday #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY
So far we’ve busted two pool floats and broken a So far we’ve busted two pool floats and broken a boogie board. ❄️ #summerpeople #poolpeople #summerisbest #winterweather #countryliving #reallife #momlife
We went from quarantine to snow day. We haven’t We went from quarantine to snow day. We haven’t left our house, but we are thankful for a change of scenery. ❄️ #TeamTaylor #winterweather #quaratine #snowday #countryliving
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorite Places & Projects

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2021 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.