Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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

How to Find Community

May 24, 2017 by Kristin 23 Comments

In March, I spent the weekend with some of my favorite writer friends. That was the first time I met Christen Price in person. She had driven from Alabama to my lake house here in Kentucky, yet she radiated hospitality. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was going on a walk with Christen and our other friend Amanda. I’ve since read her book, “Invited: Live a Life of Connection, not Perfection.” She’s real and encourages women well. I’m glad to welcome her to my blog today as she shares about one of my favorite topics and includes one of my favorite scriptures.

*****

Women need friendship like a flower needs water.

When my husband and I moved to our hometown, I was thirsty for friendship. Sitting alone in my bedroom, I felt the pull of wanting to belong. One of the most difficult things about moving to a new city is finding community. We can easily experience FOMO – a fear of missing out – and make our homes in silos while hiding behind our smiles.

Loneliness is a disease. The best cure for this disease is to find community, which often involves vulnerability, risk-taking, and letting people into our not-so-perfect lives. In an effort to make new friends, I began to ask girls to join me in a small group. Soon, a group of us began to gather for dinner and discussion once a month.

Acts 2:46-47 describes how the early disciples experienced community by saying, “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” Sharing beyond the walls of their homes, the followers of Christ gathered together to tell the message of Jesus to the people. They were not exclusive – daily God increased the number of people who were being saved. The breaking of the bread and extending of grace was an open invitation. All were welcome to listen, eat, drink, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

If God is inviting us to a table that is always open and never reserved, who are we inviting to sit at the table with us?

When I first began to be in fellowship with the girls from my small group, I felt like for the group to stay safe, it needed to be inclusive. But, as our group grew, the complete opposite happened. A fellowship of friendship formed, a kind that would never have happened if not for our group being centered on Spirit-led conversation. Adding more seats to the table has only increased our joy, not diminished it, which leads me to believe in the efficacy of an open table.

When a group is exclusive, there is a certain amount of trust and camaraderie between friends, but it can make those not part of the group feel very unwelcome, unwanted. If you’ve ever been on the outside of a group of friends, it’s easy to ask yourself, “What do I have to do to fit in, be invited, and belong with these people?” It’s like in the movie “The Help,” when Celia Foote shows up at Elizabeth’s house with a pie, and instead of inviting her in, Hilly tells all the girls from Junior League to hide and be quiet. Friendship becomes a game of cards, luck, and elitism. But fellowship is different.

Fellowship is unity, something that binds
people together from the inside out.

{Tweet that.}

Fellowship is not just about friends being together, it is about friends coming together to do God’s will. The early church went out each day to teach the truth about Jesus, help the sick, and share what they owned with the apostles. Fellowship was an action shown through generosity, hospitality, and serving.

Being a fellowship of believers, we each play our part in the body of Christ, but we also exist to connect to one another so that we display His perfection together. Next time you meet a girl new in town, remember what it was like to be in her shoes. Extend an invitation and help her feel connected in community. Widen your circle, and welcome her to the table.

About “Invited”

In “Invited,” Bible teacher Christen Price weaves together personal stories with a practical party planning handbook as she shares about her own struggle with perfection when she moved home and began to build community. Her desire for perfection causes her to experience anxiety and meltdown when parties (and life!) don’t always go as planned.

With kindness, honesty, and Biblical truth, Christen will encourage you to overcome the hurdles of perfection by finding balance instead of breaking down; receive others in love by releasing your anxieties to God so you can rejoice in the moments worth celebrating; and discover that the antidote to perfection is embracing the beauty of imperfection and present not only yourself, but your home in an artful way so you can give and receive joy.

Celebrations, whether they be special occasions, a surprise party, or a spontaneous cookout on a Saturday night, are about spending time with the people we love. Hospitality helps us to pursue Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, so we can invite others to join us in a party we will never forget. Connected to Christ, we find wholeness, completeness, and beauty so we can celebrate the life we’ve been given.

“Invited” officially releases June 1, but you can preorder it now.

About Christen

Christen Price is a writer for The M.O.M. Initiative and founder of Undivided Women, an online Bible study community. With the heart of a hostess, she writes devotionals, designs party printables, and creates inspirational art in her Studio that invites women to celebrate their people, place, and purpose. Christen is married to her best friend, Raleigh, and their crew of three little ones, two dogs, and four chickens call the countryside of lower Alabama home. Connect with her at christenprice.com.

*****

This post includes excerpts from “Invited: Live a Life of Connection, not Perfection.” Used with permission.

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
 Loading InLinkz ...
  • 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, Porch Stories Tagged With: community, guest post

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    May 24, 2017 at 6:37 am

    This sounds like a good companion read to Never Unfriended. Thanks for the heads up — Christen is a new author to me!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 25, 2017 at 7:48 am

      It definitely has some similar themes. This is Christen’s first book, so I’m glad you could “meet” her, Michele. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Patricia Krank says

    May 24, 2017 at 6:59 am

    I enjoyed reading Christen’s post. I have experienced some of the same feelings she did, being lonely in a new place. I also understand becoming anxious when my attempts at entertaining don’t always go as planned. Though we regularly open our home I always have a certain level of anxiety over it. Sounds like I need to read her book.
    Thanks my friend,
    Patti
    P.S. Kentucky is such a gorgeous state and I am a wee bit jealous that you have a lake house there!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 25, 2017 at 12:06 pm

      It’s a good book and I do think you would be encouraged by it, Patricia. I’ve lived in Kentucky my whole life. But, hey, you can rent out lake house – vrbo.com/741043. 🙂 I’m glad you’re here!

      Reply
  3. Lisa Appelo says

    May 24, 2017 at 7:05 am

    Christen (and Kristin), it’s early morning here and that book cover is making me all kinds of hungry. It’s so hard to be the new girl…whether it’s a new town or new situation. The older I get, the more I see how many women feel sidelined and so need that invitation.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 25, 2017 at 7:48 am

      Isn’t that book cover lovely? So inviting. Glad you’re here, Lisa!

      Reply
      • Christen Price says

        May 29, 2017 at 2:22 pm

        The cake on the cover is my husband’s grandmother’s pound cake. It is as delicious as it looks!!! Thanks for reading Lisa!

        Reply
  4. Liz Rigby says

    May 24, 2017 at 7:31 am

    Such a simple idea to invite gals over for some food and fellowship, and yet it was one I needed to hear! Thank you for sharing this post and linkup with us, Kristin.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 25, 2017 at 7:46 am

      So glad you’re here and could be encouraged, Liz!

      Reply
  5. Meghan E. Weyerbacher says

    May 24, 2017 at 9:43 am

    Just wanted to say, loved this. Love both of your hearts and I am praying I can be this kind of friend to others..but can I confess something here? I am also praying for someone like you all (with a hospitality heart/nurturing heart) to come into my life (in person, face to face). I need it and would love to bless them to. Blessings to you both!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 25, 2017 at 7:46 am

      Praying about it is a good place to start, Meghan. Sometimes reaching out being that kind of friend fosters those kind of relationships for you too. I sure wish we could talk about it in real life. Meanwhile, I’m glad you’re here.

      Reply
  6. Sue Donaldson says

    May 24, 2017 at 9:59 am

    So true – loneliness is a disease and all things hospitality fights it. Great post!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 25, 2017 at 7:44 am

      This goes along so well with what you write about. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Becky Hastings says

    May 24, 2017 at 10:23 am

    Beautiful reminders today about God’s heart for us! Thank you for reminding me to step out!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 25, 2017 at 7:44 am

      Christen’s words were good for me too. Thanks for being here, Becky!

      Reply
  8. Susan Shipe says

    May 24, 2017 at 1:49 pm

    Loneliness is a disease and is prevalent – in all ages and groups. Great guest post.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 25, 2017 at 7:44 am

      Glad you’re here, Susan, and that you enjoyed the post today!

      Reply
  9. Gayl says

    May 24, 2017 at 4:04 pm

    I love this! Connection is so much more important than Perfection. And this – “Hospitality helps us to pursue Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, so we can invite others to join us in a party we will never forget.”

    Blessings!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 25, 2017 at 7:43 am

      I love it too and definitely recommend her book when it releases next week! Glad you’re here, Gayl!

      Reply
  10. Ginger Harrington says

    May 25, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    Loved this on friendship and fellowship. Looks like a great book to enjoy sharing. Best wishes on the book launch to Christen! I’ll share and pin to help get the word out:)

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 25, 2017 at 1:47 pm

      Thanks for helping spread the word. I know Christen appreciates it!

      Reply
    • Christen Price says

      May 29, 2017 at 2:24 pm

      Thank you so much Ginger!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Truth: Look for it With Eyes and Ears Wide Open - Words, Photos and ArtWords, Photos and Art says:
    May 24, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    […] up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #Glimpses, #InspireMeMonday, #MomentsofHope, #LMMLinkup, #TeaAndWord, #porchstories, […]

    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

  • From snow to sand
  • Books of 2022
  • How to enjoy winter days at home
  • How to cook new recipes
  • How to have fun as a family

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

I know, “everyone” is reading “Spare” by P I know, “everyone” is reading “Spare” by Prince Harry. But I also keep hearing different opinions about it. So here’s mine!

I am intrigued by the royal family and I liked watching “Suits,” just so you know my very loose interest. I had also watched the @netflix documentary Harry and Meghan released. 

Short answer: I really enjoyed listening to this book. 

An heir, then a spare. Deep grief as a child when his mom dies that he doesn’t really confront until he’s older. An institution that governs every decision in his life yet doesn’t protect him when he felt like he needed it. That’s some heartbreaking makings of a good story. And I appreciate Prince Harry telling it — even though I’m sure parts were incredibly difficult. I also appreciate why he and Meghan did what they did and are trying to establish new, different roots. 

Ultimately, this book is about death and life and all the moments in between. I’d recommend listening to it because his voice is a good one. 

One minor, silly complaint: There are 232 chapters, although they’re numbered starting with one in each of the three sections. That makes the audiobook not flow quite as well as it would otherwise because most of them are just a few minutes long. 

I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and I’d love to hear what you think because, you know, everybody is reading it! #KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #readersofinstagram #audiobooks #audible #princeharry
We are all in for basketball season! Tonight was @ We are all in for basketball season! Tonight was @murraystateuniv Spirit Night at the @memgrizz game. We had some pre-game fun with friends, watched the Grizzlies come back from 19 down to win, and witnessed Ja Morant’s triple double.

#memphisgrizzlies #basketballseason #NBA #TeamTaylor #bettertogether #weekending #favoritethings #RacerNation #MurrayState #WeAreRacers
Cheering for our Racers — and, really, most ever Cheering for our Racers — and, really, most everything in life — is more fun with friends! What an awesome atmosphere at the CFSB Center today with a Murray State win, Ja Morant in the arena, and more memories.

#RacerNation #MurrayState #collegebasketball #basketballseason #bettertogether #WeAreRacers
I’ve worn a favorite sweatshirt that says “Let I’ve worn a favorite sweatshirt that says “Let heaven and nature sing” twice this week. I may not be singing Christmas carols anymore, but I still felt the depths of winter this week. The sweatshirt seemed right. 

The sun didn’t shine much this week, although seeing on Friday as we wrap up the work and school week was welcomed. It’s mostly been cold and gray. It’s felt like winter. 

A lingering tension needs resolution and understanding, but honestly the gap between seems so vast. I crave slow time at home and meals around our table. I miss some friends and was reminded of the heartache that can come with community, but I also felt the deep appreciation of friendship and remembered the beauty of sharing this life with others. I was excited for an invitation and easily accepted it. I started a new habit (hopefully) walking with a friend. 

While driving through my days, I remember how uncertainty is what makes me look up. I remember my Creator when I am slapped in the face with the reality I’m not actually in control. I remember (again) to surrender. 

Goodness happens in the gray of winter. Life may look and feel different, but new life is always preparing to break through the cracks of the ground. The gloom that tempts us to look down doesn’t last long when we believe the sun will break through the icy trees and the fog will lift. 

This is hope. Even in winter. Thank God for it all. Let’s let heaven and nature sing. 

#countryliving #latergram #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #reallife #weekending
I heard mixed reactions about this book from two d I heard mixed reactions about this book from two different friends, but I enjoyed it! 

I liked the backward timeline, although I was uncertain about how it would work until the end. Some of the twists and connections were so good! 

I also liked the bigger ideas Gillian McAllister tackles: We miss things when we are living our life at our normal pace. What if we could go back? What would be notice that would change our reality? And, of course, perhaps, there would be unintended consequences. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It did get a little slow in the middle, but the end and beginning are quite good! #KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #kindleoasis #readersofinstagram
This about sums up motherhood: My teenage girl in This about sums up motherhood: My teenage girl in the middle rebounding and playing hard and little sister photobombing the moment! 

Honestly, parenting has been hard lately. Nothing major. But so constant and always adjusting. 

Even so, I love watching them on the court and in life. There is so much excitement and goodness among the repetition and exhaustion. 

This is real life. And those are our 10-0 Lady Lions out there. 🦁💛

@ncca.lions #momlife #reallife #basketballseason #momconfessions #livingfaithfully #girlmom #firstborn #thirdchild
I finished studying Colossians today with my Prece I finished studying Colossians today with my Precept group. Paul wrote this letter to an established church that was still growing and learning and maturing in the faith — like us all.  I really loved this study because it spoke right into my life with encouragement for knowing Christ, walking in wisdom and truth, praying continually, letting peace rule, and giving grace. Plus Paul deeply loved his people. 

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” — Colossians 2:6-7

Too often I step out of God’s presence for two minutes while are loading up the van in the morning or I’m rushing kids to bed. Too often I don’t surrender my fleshy desires and feelings to the One who holds this whole wide world in His hands. Too often I think my plans are worth holding onto tightly. Too often I think I can bring peace to my household, minivan, or dinner table. 

But real peace passes all my understanding. It rests in God’s wisdom and knowledge alone. How amazing we have access to that, thanks to Jesus. How easily I forget where I’m rooted. 

I want to let peace rule — in my home, in my head, and in my heart. 

Today while I was driving, I noticed how lovely the road, land, and sky looked. But today was really windy, like feel-it-move-my-vehicle and knock-over-trash-cans windy. It almost felt deceptive with the beauty before me, but, really, that’s like life. 

Sometimes it seems I have it together. People know my gifts of organizing information and people. I show up on time and am responsible. But so many thoughts and feelings are swirling in my mind. I replay conversations and fight against the same insecurities from the previous day. 

I feel both lovely and like my swirling mind could knock me over at any moment. And that’s why I needed God, particularly through His words through Paul to the Colossians. 

#livingfaithfully #faithlife #churchlife #reallife #countryliving
This girl has been complaining of a sore throat th This girl has been complaining of a sore throat the last couple of days, but she hasn’t had a fever or any other symptoms so I kept telling her she was fine. Truth be told, she a bit of a hypochondriac and generally happy, so it’s hard to tell if she sick sometimes. 

The folks at Aligned Health took care of her this afternoon and are treating her for strep or whatever bacteria is making her throat look and feel rough. 

I’m thankful for access to medical care and an unexpected night at home.

#momlife #thirdchild #reallife #momconfessions #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #sickday
I really loved this book! “Life is the stuff th I really loved this book!

“Life is the stuff that happens in the cracks between your plans and expectations.” — from “One Night on the Island” by @josiesilverauthor 

The writing is excellent, the setting works well, and the story unfolds in some predictable but sweet ways. I also think it was the right book at the right time for me. 

#KHTreads #romcom #romcombooks #bookstagram #booklover #librarybooks #readersofinstagram
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

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