Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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

Five Practical Ways to Live Rescued

January 10, 2018 by Kristin 21 Comments

I shared last week about my focus – one word, if you will – for the new year: RESCUED. The post was a peek into what has been on my mind. But, in reality, to be successful in adopting this change in perspective, I need to have some practical rhythms and behaviors.

Obviously, your practical needs may look different than mine, but I wanted to share some of how I hope to live rescued.

1. Show myself grace.

I have high expectations, and the reality is they aren’t usually met. Instead of shaming myself for not being more, I want to give myself grace that frees me to enjoy my real life. When I show grace to myself, it also becomes a more natural response to other people.

2. Make time for rest.

I’m not a napper. But I like to read fiction, scrapbook on my phone, write, and watch TV. Those things are rest-filled for me because they take my mind off the lofty expectations of what all “needs” to be done. Often this means planning for white space on my calendar.

3. Invite others in.

We do quite a bit of this already – we often host our small group, invite friends over for dinner, and long to be the house where our kids’ friends want to come. But I want to be intentional about inviting people in when God puts them on my heart. It’s easy to say, “Life is busy, but let’s get together soon.” But it’s not hard to say, “Hey, do you want to meet us for dinner?” When we gather with others – whether it’s on our porch, around our table, or at a basketball game – our stories and lives become intertwined.

4. Say “yes” when I want to and “no” when I need to.

I like to say yes to all good things and then get overwhelmed and decide to say no to everything. Reality rests in the middle. I need to be willing to say “yes” even when that means shuffling around what I thought my day would look like and recognize when “no” is necessary for the well-being of my own soul or my family.

5. Recognize strengths & weaknesses.

Often the differences between me and my son frustrate me, but my counselor helped me realize his strengths are my weaknesses and my strengths are his weaknesses. Basically, we’re good for each other. I’ve known this in the eight years I’ve parented him, but the value of what we have to give each other in our daily lives really clicked recently.

Ben and I are just one example. I want to be aware of my strengths, give God credit for creating me like He did, rest in His promises, and not worry about all the lies otherwise.

*****

If you’re new here, here are some posts to get you caught up: Brave doesn’t always mean big. Sanctified & Broken. Living Rescued. Living rescued is about bringing gospel truth to the forefront as a foundation for all other things. How can you do that in your own life this year?

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 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: Porch Stories Tagged With: community, life, motherhood, rescued

Comments

  1. Meghan Weyerbacher says

    January 10, 2018 at 6:08 am

    Kristin I love this!!! I have had to learn each of these too. What a great reminder today, friend.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 10, 2018 at 7:59 am

      Thank you, Meg! I’m glad you could be encouraged.

      Reply
  2. SUSAN SHIPE says

    January 10, 2018 at 6:08 am

    Since we’ve been rescued, LET’S LIVE LIKE IT ! AMEN! You sure are a good WWF player. 😉 xo

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 10, 2018 at 7:59 am

      That’s basically what God keeps telling me. And YOU, my friend, are a good WWF player. I’m glad for the technology that connects us. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Becky Hastings says

    January 10, 2018 at 6:13 am

    Such good truth! I can relate to where you’re at in so many ways. Learning to give myself grace has been such a journey, but so worth it!

    And rest time….thank you for saying you like TV! LOL I enjoy watching TV to escape all the needs that have pulled at me throughout the day (I think a lot of people do). But so often people won’t admit to liking TV. I don’t know why, but as silly as it sounds, I’m grateful you did!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 10, 2018 at 7:58 am

      I just emailed you after I read the first day of your DWELL series. It’s such encouragement to me because it goes along with what God is doing in my life. I like TV – it’s such a mental break from EVERYTHING else. 🙂 I’m glad you’re here, Becky!

      Reply
  4. Sarah Geringer says

    January 10, 2018 at 6:35 am

    Hi Kristin! It’s been great to connect with you in the In Bloom group on FB recently. I too need to show myself grace daily. I also struggle with high expectations, probably even higher than what God expects of me. Learning to treat myself better in 2018 is one of my goals. Blessings to you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 10, 2018 at 7:57 am

      Yes, I always love when the internet provides new ways to connect with familiar people. Plus I’m excited about that book! Oh, yes, I know the feeling of much-too-high expectations. God’s been shifting that perspective in me, and it’s been a long process but one for which I’m so grateful. Thanks for being here, Sarah!

      Reply
  5. Michele Morin says

    January 10, 2018 at 7:27 am

    Oh, this is so good, and I’m glad you took time to really flesh out the practical meaning of living rescued and how it looks here on the ground. You’re making me think I should do that with my word for 2018: Orthodoxy. Hmmm . . .

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 10, 2018 at 7:56 am

      Well, I’m glad I made you think. 🙂 Let me know what you come up with!

      Reply
  6. Barbara H. says

    January 10, 2018 at 8:29 am

    All very good practices! And ones we often need to be reminded of.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 10, 2018 at 12:37 pm

      I know I need to remind myself! Thanks for being here, Barbara!

      Reply
  7. Jennie says

    January 10, 2018 at 1:20 pm

    Oh how I like your lists of practices and that they are in a list format. Yes, to grace!!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 10, 2018 at 2:25 pm

      Yes, to lists … and grace! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Lisa notes says

    January 10, 2018 at 2:03 pm

    Show myself grace and invite others in. Those two stand out the most to me today. Thanks for sharing all 5 of these, Kristin! Good stuff! Rescued is going to be a good word for all of us through you. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 10, 2018 at 2:25 pm

      Oh, thanks, Lisa! I’m glad you can be encouraged as I learn what God is teaching me. xo

      Reply
  9. sue says

    January 10, 2018 at 3:40 pm

    a worthy list for all of us!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 10, 2018 at 4:04 pm

      Thanks for being here, Sue!

      Reply
  10. Maree Dee says

    January 13, 2018 at 9:34 am

    Kristin,

    I love how you wrote out your intentions for your word. I am still working on my word. I know the concept God has in mind, but I can’t quite formulate a word or group of words to explain it. However, with defining it as you did, I think I might just have it.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 13, 2018 at 6:36 pm

      Oh that’s great! Let me know what your word is when you get it. I’m excited to see what you and God come up with. It took me awhile to get ONE WORD for all the thoughts in my head, so I totally understand. Thanks for being here, Maree!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Motivation: Finding Ways to Help when Stuck - Words, Photos and Art says:
    January 10, 2018 at 9:32 pm

    […] I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #Glimpses, #LMMLinkup, #InspireMeMonday, #TrekkingThru, #TeaAndWord, #SundayThoughtsLinkup, #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 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

  • Hospitality in the new life of spring
  • Taking a [spring] break
  • Ways to connect with your partner
  • Hope at home with Dolphin Island
  • Hello, March!

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

I recently read this suspense novel by @sandiejone I recently read this suspense novel by @sandiejones_author and really enjoyed it. I saw where some of the story was going, but there were surprises, of course! 

I’m always glad when a new-to-me author has more books for my never-ending to-read list. Which authors have you discovered lately? 

#KHTreads #recommendedreads #bookstagram #booklover #fiction #suspensebooks
Spring breathes new life right into my soul. I’m Spring breathes new life right into my soul. I’m always thankful when this season comes around, and not solely for the sunshine! In my book “Bringing Home More Than Groceries: Stories About Gathering & Nourishing People,” I open the spring section with this quote from author @shannanwrites.

In honor of this new season, I wanted to share another excerpt from my book. Join me on my porch that overlooks trees turning green, grass that needs to be mowed again, and the pool that’s waiting for someone to jump in. 

To read an excerpt about how spring helps me open my heart, home, and life and learn more about free hospitality resources, use the #linkinbio to visit my blog. #ontheblog #hospitalitymatters #morethangroceries #bloggerlife #authorlife #selfpublished #livingfaithfully #countryliving #bookexcerpt #PorchStories
I asked Greg what he wanted to do for his birthday I asked Greg what he wanted to do for his birthday (which is next week) and he said have friends over to play. So that’s what we did yesterday.

The birthday boy turning 43 soon, a few other husbands, and a bunch of kids played kickball and basketball. Us moms mostly talked and enjoyed the fact most of our people were engaged in community and activity. Of course, we ate well too.

It’s had been a long time since we had a party where multiple families mingled together on our porch, in our kitchen, and all around our property. We missed this, so good call on letting us your birthday as an excuse, husband.

#weekending #birthdayboy #choosingJOY #countryliving #bettertogether #morethangroceries #PorchStories
First game of the season in the books. I love this First game of the season in the books. I love this time of the year. ⚽️☀️ #soccermom #girlmom #thirdchild #momlife #choosingJOY
Our Precept group went to @bidwellfamilyfarms this Our Precept group went to @bidwellfamilyfarms this morning. While us mommas discussed Acts 16-17, Scott took the kids on a tour of the farm. Truly, this group of women is a blessing for me and the effects ripple through my whole entire family. I’m so thankful for the way God knits people together.

#precept #preceptministries #biblestudy #bettertogether #momlife #countryliving #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY
I finished this book on Easter Sunday while laying I finished this book on Easter Sunday while laying in my hammock soaking in the sunshine. I liked the story enough, but sometimes young adult books baffle me with all the adult drama. These characters navigate young love, racial tension, and pains of growing up — of which some storylines were better than others. 

Maybe most importantly, this book got me back into reading on my Kindle. I like physical books, but I love the convenience, deals, and library of the Kindle. I always feel like I have to choose books or Kindle, but truth is I can have both.

Do you prefer Kindle or physical books? #KHTreads #booklover #kindlebooks #latergram #bookstagram #kindle #youngadultbooks
We took a (spring) break in St. Pete Beach, Florid We took a (spring) break in St. Pete Beach, Florida last week, and now I'm old-school blogging about it. So pull up a porch swing, and come read about what we did and ate on our five-night getaway. 

#linkinbio #ontheblog #bloggerlife #springbreak #beachvacation #PorchStories #choosingJOY #vacationlife #seafood #beachlife #momlife #TeamTaylor #adventurers
Until last spring, I always assumed the yellow fie Until last spring, I always assumed the yellow fields were goldenrod. I learned it’s canola plant — not our state’s flower that’s actually a weed that grows in the late summer and early fall. The seeds from these plants can be crushed to make canola oil and meal. 

Whatever it is, I think it’s beautiful. After the dreary colors of winter, it’s a lovely welcome to spring and a reminder of how new life sprouts right where we already are. 

#seasons #kentucky #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #countryliving #spring
Spring Break was good to us. I’m having my usual Spring Break was good to us. I’m having my usual Sunday night mixed emotions - thankful for our time & adventures together as a family, eager to be productive in my quiet house, and sad everyone will head their separate ways tomorrow morning.

#reallife #sundayvibes #springbreak #beachtrip #momlife #momconfessions #TeamTaylor #adventurers #weekending #choosingJOY #livingfaithfully
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.