Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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

Letting some balls bounce

April 11, 2018 by Kristin 20 Comments


I added some items to my grocery list. Then I switched a load of towels from the washer to the dryer and started folding Rachel’s clothes that were dry. I made a list of the errands I needed to run before I picked up the big kids from school. And then I finished folding Rachel’s clothes. I sent an email, responded to a text, and wondered what else I needed to do. I gathered Cate’s piano books and Ben’s soccer clothes so I could put them in the minivan. My productivity slowed as I scrolled through Instagram, but I was reminded of something I wanted to post on Facebook. I crossed off items on my calendar and then added some more.

This is how my week started off.

I’m hosting a retreat with my writer friends who have become so much more than that this weekend. My husband turns 40 the following weekend. Then my oldest daughter turns 11 two weeks after that. And my own birthday is in between theirs. There are end-of-school things making their way onto my calendar. Everyone has some kind of appointment or two coming up. Rachel is doing more swim lessons and I’m doing a study on 1 John at my bonus church.

I’ve been keeping my calendar close and have mixed feelings when I look at it.

But I’m choosing to enjoy all the things because they fall into what-matters-to-me categories. {Tweet that.}

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

–Philippians 4:9

While I was driving around Monday conquering my list of errands, I listened to Annie Downs’ podcast interview with Alli Worthington and jotted down some notes on a scrap piece of paper when I got to a red light. Alli talked about priorities using crystal balls and rubber balls. I’ve been thinking about this illustration ever since: Crystal balls have to be held because they could break, but the rubber balls can bounce.

My mind was scattered as skipped around from one thing to the next. I struggled to focus on the one next thing. So I made a list, and then I found freedom as I was navigating that list one errand and task at a time.

I thought about what God has taught me and given me and spoken into my life. I reminisced about God’s faithfulness to supply every need (Phi. 4:19). I held onto God’s peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7).

The crystal balls are always my husband and kids. This week I’m adding the retreat to what needs to be held. The rubber balls of upcoming parties and appointments can bounce today. The household chores and preparing a gourmet dinner can bounce for a little while.

We went about our busy afternoon of piano lesson, errands, dinner, and soccer practice. I remembered I’m grateful for these opportunities for my kids, the choice we make to eat dinner together even when we have to go different directions afterward, and the ability to let some balls bounce. I recognized my house may be messier than I prefer, but my soul felt tidy. My calendar was crowded, but my heart knew which balls were worth holding.

And that’s a life practice I want to keep showing up for.

*****

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: Porch Stories Tagged With: faith, life, podcasts, rescued

Comments

  1. Sarah Geringer says

    April 11, 2018 at 6:34 am

    What a great concept, Kristin…the crystal balls and rubber balls. I needed to hear that today. Blessings to you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 11, 2018 at 7:18 am

      This is a message I need to hold onto myself, so I’m glad it could encourage you too, Sarah! Thanks for being here.

      Reply
  2. Joanne Viola says

    April 11, 2018 at 6:49 am

    Kristin, I remember reading the concept of the bouncing ball years ago but … what a great reminder for today! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 11, 2018 at 7:15 am

      I had never heard that analogy, and it really hit home with me this week. I’m glad you could be encouraged too, my friend. xo

      Reply
  3. Barbara H. says

    April 11, 2018 at 7:40 am

    What a great analogy! Thank God for the flexibility of some balls that bounce.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 11, 2018 at 7:49 am

      The analogy has been really good for my soul this week. I’m glad you’re here, Barbara!

      Reply
  4. SUSAN SHIPE says

    April 11, 2018 at 8:09 am

    Kristin, you seem to have a pretty good handle on the crystals and the bouncers. The 95% and the 5%!!! Proud of you gal.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 11, 2018 at 8:10 am

      Oh, I really appreciate you saying that. Thank you, my friend. xo

      Reply
  5. Michele Morin says

    April 11, 2018 at 8:30 am

    Wow, Kristin, this very visual image helps me to sort through my brain and my list with a little more confidence today!
    Blessings to you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 11, 2018 at 8:41 am

      That’s exactly how it was for me when I heard it the other day. I’m glad that happened for you too. xo

      Reply
  6. Rachel says

    April 11, 2018 at 8:34 am

    Great analogy! I’ve never heard this before. I always appreciate visual pictures that help me to process differently. This was fascinating!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 11, 2018 at 8:41 am

      I hadn’t either, but it’s exactly what I need. Thanks for your kind comment, Rachel. I’m glad you could be encouraged here today.

      Reply
  7. Emily Wood says

    April 11, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    Wow, Kristin! The Lord is really getting my attention. My post that I just published is about this very thing! I love the idea of rubber balls and crystal balls! Such a great visual!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 12, 2018 at 7:26 am

      I’m going to read your post now … 🙂 Thanks for being here, Emily!

      Reply
  8. Rachel Q says

    April 11, 2018 at 3:09 pm

    I like this line: ” I recognized my house may be messier than I prefer, but my soul felt tidy.” Such a good truth there and reminder to hold onto the things that really matter— letting the other things bounce. Thanks for this idea!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 12, 2018 at 7:25 am

      You’re welcome! I’m glad you can use this truth too. Thanks for being here, Rachel.

      Reply
  9. Melody says

    April 11, 2018 at 3:37 pm

    Oh I love the analogy of the crystal and bouncy balls. So great! Also, I’m dying to know what your “bonus church” is. Like a church you do midweek bible studies at or something?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 12, 2018 at 7:25 am

      So we go to a small church that I love in many ways, but there’s not Bible studies or Sunday school for adults. My kids go to a private school that’s housed in a big church’s old building, so many families from that church go to the school and we’ve become friends. I go to a Precept study there. My kids have been to VBS with them too. It’s a good perk for a small church girl. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Melissa | The Cork Board Blog says

    April 11, 2018 at 7:12 pm

    I just listened to that episode and that quote TOTALLY resonated with me. #butofcourseitdid #weretwins

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 12, 2018 at 7:22 am

      Her interviews this year are everything I didn’t know I needed. I’m happy to be your twin! 🙂

      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