Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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

Let’s get along!

January 25, 2017 by Kristin 17 Comments

Between the political rants on Facebook and the way my oldest two sometimes argue and pester, I’m over fighting. “Can’t we all just get along?” repeats in my mind over and over again.

I obviously have opinions about things. I disagree with people I adore. But social media isn’t the platform to air those things. And I want my kids to be friends – with each other first.

And even if we disagree, can’t we, especially as Christ followers, still just get along?

I get the struggle. I really do. When my kids fight, all my loud overreactions come to the surface, and sometimes spill over. I’ve hidden the people in my Facebook News Feed who won’t stop ranting. I’ve been quick to judge and slow to love.

On Sunday at church, our speaker that morning read from 1 Corinthians and I ended up landing on this verse from The Message when I was switching between versions:

“I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Master. I’ll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common.” – 1 Corinthians 1:10

Unity doesn’t mean uniformity.

{Tweet that.}

While speaking Sunday at church, Caleb Reinhardt said, “Unity doesn’t mean uniformity.”

That’s truth, folks.

We all aren’t the same. Our political perspective may be different. How we dress and how we spend our time isn’t going to look the same. We have different filters through which we see life, thanks to our upbringing, our relationships, and our convictions. God has given us personality and preferences.

Regardless of where we come from and what we’ve been through, if we claim Christ and know the salvation that can only come because of the cross, then we need to let that be the foundation of how we treat people and how we live.

Personally, this week I’ve been thinking about how we all have different weaknesses and just because we don’t understand someone’s struggle doesn’t give freedom to react with harsh words or judgement. {Ouch!} Rather, I want to remember that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:12-14

Fighting and grudges don’t fit in there. Making assumption to know someone’s stories doesn’t work. I know it’s hard, but we can choose the Christ-like characteristics that bring unity and love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19).

So, really, can’t we all just get along? Because isn’t the gospel at the core of everything we say and do? I’m definitely preaching to myself here. Let’s not abandon the grace of the cross with our misplaced rants and discord.

*****

Did you see the giveaway I posted earlier this week? Be sure to enter to win a copy of “Parenting With Grace and Truth” by Dan Seaborn.

*****

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: faith, family, life, quotes

Comments

  1. Kathleen Guire says

    January 25, 2017 at 6:15 am

    Great post. We were on the same page. Everyone has a story. We can’t discount or minimize their pain or reaction to it because we don’t understand. Because my children were older when they were adopted, they had much deep pain because of their past and we had to acknowledge that. We had to meet them where they were. We women need to do the same for one another. Great job! (And I love the new fonts!)

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 25, 2017 at 6:32 am

      Yes, adoption, especially my kids’ birth moms, has been one area that has helped me learn this. But then I still sometimes catch myself getting frustrated with my kids’ behavior or other people I don’t understand. We are works in progress, that’s for sure! Thanks for being here with encouragement, Kathleen!

      Reply
  2. Michele Morin says

    January 25, 2017 at 7:07 am

    Oh . . . words of grace.
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:18 am

      Words of grace are three pretty great words for this Wednesday too. 🙂 Glad you’re here, Michele! xo

      Reply
  3. Joanne Viola says

    January 25, 2017 at 7:09 am

    Great post! Kristin, you brought such truth and expressed my very own thoughts. I love that the Scripture gives us two mandates: We MUST get along and we MUST learn to be considerate. Not much wiggle room there. He is telling us exactly His desire for us all. Have a great Wednesday!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:20 am

      This is one of those things that has been brewing in my heart and mind, so I’m glad it came out in a way that could encourage you while I talk to myself! I did make my kids read this scripture from First Corinthians the other day too. I’m so grateful His desires are to shape us into better people. Lord knows I can’t do it alone, even though I sometimes try! Thanks for being here! xo

      Reply
  4. Susan Shipe says

    January 25, 2017 at 8:04 am

    Especially within the body of Christ. SO good. xo

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:21 am

      ESPECIALLY. Glad you’re here, Susan!

      Reply
  5. Becky Hastings says

    January 25, 2017 at 2:54 pm

    Ahhh….getting along. Now wouldn’t that be wonderful?! I’m so grateful for your words today!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 25, 2017 at 2:55 pm

      Thanks, Beck!y! I’m glad you could be encouraged.

      Reply
  6. Tiffany Parry says

    January 25, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    Social media is on my last nerve right now. If it’s not making me disgusted with the world, it’s making my disgusted with myself. I say lets stick to cute dog pics and delish videos. 😉 I agree, friend – love is better and remembering that who folks are in an emotionally responsive moment isn’t who they are at their best. Great encouragement!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 29, 2017 at 8:54 pm

      Somehow I missed your comment the other day! Anyway, I totally get social media being annoying these days. Thanks for being here and I’m glad you could be encouraged. xo

      Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 29, 2017 at 8:54 pm

      Somehow I missed your comment the other day! Yes, I’m with you! Thanks for being here and I’m glad you could be encouraged. xo

      Reply
  7. Sue Donaldson says

    January 25, 2017 at 7:04 pm

    amen. and just looking at your teal swing gives me a little peace. Thanks, kristin!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:48 pm

      My {real-life} kitchen is teal too. It’s my favorite! The official color is called Refresh and it truly does that for me. Glad you’re here, Sue!

      Reply
  8. Simply Beth says

    January 26, 2017 at 8:17 am

    “Let’s not abandon the grace of the cross with our misplaced rants and discord.” Amen, friend!

    Love you.
    xoxo

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 26, 2017 at 8:31 am

      Love you! And I LOVE seeing your face here today. 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 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

  • Fifteen
  • Help kids have healthy eating habits
  • How to organize your home
  • Let’s come before the throne
  • 3 Ways to Enhance Kids’ Cognitive Skills

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

Old friends and live music are two of my favorite Old friends and live music are two of my favorite things, so having them together is the best. My friend Aaron and I went to multiple Dave Matthews Band shows together during our college years, so now two decades later it’s fun to do it again as grown ups with our spouses for a band that speaks truth into our lives. 

@needtobreathe put on the loudest acoustic tour I’ve ever seen, but it sure was good! And its encore of completely unplugged songs was especially sweet. 

#NTBlive #needtobreathe #bettertogether #choosingJOY #favoritethings #livingfaithfully #weekending
Happiness is … … a slow morning that gave me Happiness is …

… a slow morning that gave me a chance to finish reading a good book right after I fixed my favorite cinnamon toast. 

… some shade to invite me to pick some more weeds around the house. But why doesn’t my Apple Watch count this as exercise? It felt like exercise to me! 

… an appointment with my oldest girl for us both to get our nails done this morning. 

… my youngest girl’s last soccer game of the season, even though the heat made her a little grumpy. 

… pool time, another good book to read, my mom visiting for the second weekend in a row, a little more weeding, and a night at home with no specific plans. 

Happiness is everyday, normal life with my people, especially when it comes with a slower pace after a hectic week. 

#OneDayMay #maydays #soccermom #KHTreads #momlife #weekending #choosingJOY #livingfaithfully #poolpeople #PorchStories
I regretted having to go to sleep last night befor I regretted having to go to sleep last night before I finished this book, so I picked it up at breakfast and didn’t do anything else until I finished it. 

I loved the Alaskan cruise setting, the quick love and understanding between Greta and Ben, and the realistic ways grief changes people. Well done, @jenniferesmith! 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #kindlebooks #booklover #kindlepaperwhite #reallife #weekending #recommendedreads #poolpeople #amreading
Happy Friday! 🎉 We’ve got four more days of s Happy Friday! 🎉 We’ve got four more days of school next week and then it’s #88daysofsummer! Obviously, we’re ready. ☀️ 

Here’s to a refreshing weekend with much anticipation of what’s to come! #weekending #choosingJOY #livingfaithfully #thirdchild #momlife #summerisbest #poolpeople #PorchStories #maydays
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’ve already bou ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve already bought three copies of “Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Fences” by @walkerhayes and @craigallencooper to gift to specific friends. I’ve referenced this story in conversations this week and will likely recommended it for years to come. 

This story is about two seemingly different guys befriending each other because their kids were on the same baseball team and their wives became friends. They kept showing for each other, encouraged each other, and changed each other for the better. In fact, their friendship was the catalyst for Walker deciding to follow Christ. 

Give me Applebee’s on a date night, a real-life story of how we are eternally better together, and an audiobook that makes me want to drive and I’m a happy girl. I’m fancy like that. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #bettertogether #livingfaithfully #hospitalitymatters #audiobooks #booklover #favoritethings
I’m majorly behind on laundry, dishes, emails, a I’m majorly behind on laundry, dishes, emails, and to-do lists. Birthdays, a field trip, end-of-school things, squeezing in some friend dates, and just general life with three kids have occupied much of my time. But my friend @whitneyrscott at @blushsalon did tend to their shaggy hairs. So check! 

#momlife #reallife #girlmom #boymom #maydays #siblinglove #livingfaithfully
What I’m wearing … I don’t wear in jewelry, What I’m wearing …

I don’t wear in jewelry, but I love having bracelets that mean things to me. 

Today my friend Monica and I talked to our oldest daughters’ high school health class about adoption. My other friend @megandelaneythomas invited us because she recently taught about the reproductive system and wanted the class to hear about adoption as an option. We talked about adoption as a process, redemption to broken circumstances, and picture of God grafting us into his family. We shared resources and advice on counseling for abortion, befriending people who have made different relationships choices, and parenting regardless of how God builds a family. 

I left that high school health class thankful for @ncca.lions and the opportunities my kids have had to learn about real things in the context of the gospel. I’m also grateful for this adoption bond Monica and I share with our kids who are the same ages. I’ve always said, adoption is relational to its core, far beyond just bringing a baby home. That circle widened a little today, and I’m glad to welcome others into pieces of our story. 

Also, how fun are these bracelets @katie_cunningham85 gave me last week for my birthday? Today seemed like the perfect time to wear them along with my Romans 8:28 reminder — “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Things working together for the good in Christ doesn’t mean easy or convenient. But it does mean all the details and relationships matter. I’m forever grateful for how God built my faith and my family through adoption. Wearing these sweet reminders is good for my soul. 

#OneDayMay #maydays #adoptionislove #adoption #PeaceInTheProcess #authorlife #bettertogether #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #momlife #firstborn #girlmom #boymom #reallife @scott_monica_bidwell
Another new book from a popular author that was ex Another new book from a popular author that was excellent! @harlancoben is a great suspense writer, and this is among his best in my opinion. It picked up with an old character and references another character from another book. But this story is well done even without those details. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite
I’ve read many @lisascottoline books, and this o I’ve read many @lisascottoline books, and this one is definitely at the top of my list. I didn’t know much about it going in, but I especially loved the WITSEC portion of the storyline and the suspense that unfolded about what happened to the Bennetts. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #kindlepaperwhite #booklover
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2022 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.