Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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God’s faithfulness in all seasons

August 9, 2017 by Kristin 21 Comments

Here they come, second and fifth grades!

(Of course, they aren’t going shirtless or wearing tank tops! That picture is from yesterday, the last day of Summer Break, which we totally rocked. First, we swam in our pool that somehow has 80-degree water again … yeah, I don’t know what happened with August either. And then we went to a nearby water park with friends.)

Anyway, I want to tell you how I’m so sad Summer Break is over and how we loved our slower pace, often around the pool and on our porch. We liked the longer visits with friends. But that’s no secret if you’ve been around here – or social media – this summer.

So, let’s focus on how seasons are good. God does something with the seasons – the ones on the calendar and the ones in my heart. I want to take the freedom and pace of Summer Break into the beginning of the school year, when the weather cools for fall, and along wherever else God leads me in the coming days.

I want to remember what God has done
as we move along to whatever is next.

{Tweet that.}

Here are some specific ways I hope to do that:

  • Remember play can happen before all the work is done because all the work will never be done.
  • Spend time reading and studying God’s word.
  • Take walks with friends.
  • Read fiction books.
  • Continue to invite people over – for lunch, for dinner, for no reason at all.
  • Leave white space on my calendar.

Summer Break, you were exactly what our hearts needed. I hope the kids take what they’ve learned about being friends even though they’re siblings and welcoming others into our lives with them into their classrooms. I hope they’re the kids who play well with others at recess. I want them to be the kids who trust God as He writes their stories as they walk the school hallways and ride the bus in the afternoons.

And I hope we all remember God’s faithfulness regardless of the season.

*****

Part of what’s next for me is launching my self-published book into the world. There are some spots left, if you’re interested in joining me on that adventure. Sign up here.

*****

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Filed Under: Porch Stories Tagged With: Ben, Cate, school, seasons, summer

Comments

  1. Susan Shipe says

    August 9, 2017 at 6:05 am

    Your post is right on – it’s up to us to keep the fellowship going and I have no doubt you and hubs will!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 10, 2017 at 7:51 am

      Thank you, Susan! xo

      Reply
  2. Joanne Viola says

    August 9, 2017 at 6:06 am

    It is so hard to think of the summer having passed. It went so much quicker than I thought it would. May your children be blessed with a wonderful school year. I am glad to join you in your journey of “Peace in the Process”!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 10, 2017 at 7:51 am

      Summer went SO QUICKLY! Thank you for your kindness and support, Joanne!

      Reply
  3. Michele Morin says

    August 9, 2017 at 6:24 am

    Signed up for the launch team!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 10, 2017 at 7:51 am

      Yay!

      Reply
  4. Meghan says

    August 9, 2017 at 8:35 am

    Kristin your post today hits my heart good. I just left the school after taking the kids to their first day. I will miss summer too, and think I will appreciate it even more now that was we are not home schooling. It feels like things fly by – but I am so grateful for the way we can choose to sit in the moments and still our hearts. I hope you all have a good school year! (I have one in 5th now too woot!) PS: Congrats on your book!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 10, 2017 at 7:52 am

      I hope they had a great first day, Meghan! And you too! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Becky Hastings says

    August 9, 2017 at 10:52 am

    Your list is exactly what I needed today.

    THIS: “Remember play can happen before all the work is done because all the work will never be done.” YES!!! 1000x yes!

    And this: “Continue to invite people over – for lunch, for dinner, for no reason at all.” I’ve been working on this. It’s not easy for this introvert to let people in, really let them in, but I’m working on it!

    And the white space. Always looking for the white space. Hope to remember that as school starts in a few weeks for us!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 10, 2017 at 7:53 am

      I’m glad you could be encouraged, Becky! Enjoy those last few weeks of Summer Break at your house. xo

      Reply
  6. Lisa notes says

    August 9, 2017 at 11:14 am

    I smiled when I read this one: “Read fiction books.” I have to remind myself to read fiction too; I’m instinctually drawn to non-fiction but I do enjoy novels when I remember to read them. Praying you can keep a relaxing flow into autumn after such a fabulous summer!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 10, 2017 at 7:54 am

      I love fiction so much, but sometimes I need to remember to slow down enough to read it even when the to-do list isn’t finished. Thanks for being here, Lisa!

      Reply
  7. Sarah Geringer says

    August 9, 2017 at 11:53 am

    Kristin, thanks for the opportunity to serve on your launch team. I’m happy to serve!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 10, 2017 at 7:54 am

      Thanks for being willing, Sarah!

      Reply
  8. Tiffany Parry says

    August 9, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    I got a little chocked up reading this post today. I LOVE summer, and the end marks so much emotion for me. We get busy again, and time thins, and more than anything, I miss sitting on the couch at noon with my husband and son watching a movie. But more than that, this new season is bringing big changes for our family – one in high school, a new work opportunity for me, and well, change is never easy as much as it is good. Thanks for your encouragement to remember what God has done – it’s been beautiful! Love you, friend.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 10, 2017 at 7:55 am

      Thank you for your comment and always encouraging while your share your soul. I’m glad to call you my friend. xo

      Reply
  9. Maree Dee says

    August 10, 2017 at 5:23 pm

    I do need to leave more white space on my calendar. THank you for the reminder. This part in your blog was my favorite statement, ” Remember play can happen before all the work is done because all the work will never be done.” I keep thinking I will get to the bottom of my to do list but that is never going to happen. I am beginning to settle into the fact things will be left undone. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 11, 2017 at 7:55 am

      I’m glad you could be encouraged here, Maree! Thanks for your comment.

      Reply
  10. SaraBeth says

    August 11, 2017 at 1:23 pm

    Hi, Kristin. Loving “play can come before work because work is never done”. Oh, I wish I lived this when my boys were little.
    Sounds like you made lots of memories. I ditto the read more fiction – it’s been way too long.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 11, 2017 at 1:32 pm

      Thanks, SaraBeth! I’m slowing learning how to live like this. It’s certainly not natural, but it is more fun! Thanks for being here.

      Reply

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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.

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We’ve taken our older kids on short-term mission We’ve taken our older kids on short-term mission trips and hope to go on more. They’ve served locally. We support missionaries. We want our kids to be open to wherever God calls them and incorporating missions into our small-town life is one way we, as parents, have hoped to teach that. 

I’m incredibly thankful @hardinbaptistchurch comes alongside us with the same message. The middle and high school @hardinstudents spent the summer looking at different aspects of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. Youth minister @cbright2 spent the last Sunday of the series looking at nine practical ways that students – yes, even middle and high schoolers – could participate in and pray about going for God. 

Chase shared these 9 Ways to Go with students' parents, and I asked him for permission to share them with you because even as an adult I want to remember to live on mission – even right where I am. 

9 WAYS TO GO FOR GOD: https://bit.ly/9WaysToGo

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“Writing is what makes me happy. Writing, even, “Writing is what makes me happy. Writing, even, is how I feel I contribute to the world. Reminding people of what’s important. Letting them escape the harsh parts of life, even if it’s just for a few hours. Helping them feel happiness through watching happily-ever-afters unfold. Remembering truths. Recalling their self-worth. Loving others. Living well. Learning. I want to do that.” 

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(And it deserves a second post today.)

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