Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Being a summertime girl in the winter

January 23, 2019 by Kristin 12 Comments

You probably know I’m a summer girl. I like the longer days, the sunshine, and freedom to let routine go. I love being on my porch and in my pool.

But the reality is summer is a season. It comes and goes and comes again. I’ve been reminding myself of this as the temperatures are cool, the daylight is short, and the skies gray. Plus we had a snow day on Sunday! (And I thank God for every random 65 degree and sunshiny day we’ve gotten this month!)

I turn 40 this year and I’ve spent a good portion of the year before this learning to appreciate seasons. I can long for summer while still enjoying winter. I can look back with fondness on summer while I take joyfully what spring and fall have to offer.

I’m no expert and am still learning the value and relief of seasons, but here are some ways I live faithfully in the winter as a summer person:

1. Read fiction books set on the beach or in lake towns. Often reading fiction is like a miniature vacation for me, so why not choose a setting I love?

2. Live with the mentality that the to-do list doesn’t have to be finished by noon Monday. Naturally, I am a work-before-play girl, but for some reason I’m easier going in the summer. I’m trying to bring that mentality into all the other seasons.

3. Have social plans that bring people in. The porch isn’t always suitable for these short, cold days, but we can still have friends over to play board games or watch basketball. We can meet friends for dinner and carpool to watch our alma mater’s basketball team. Even when it’s not the holidays, establish traditions that bring joy to a season that may not otherwise be your favorite.

4. Remember summer is coming. I can enjoy the present season, reminisce about past seasons, and look to the ones to come with a grateful heart. Likewise, I can remember God’s faithfulness through them all.

So here’s the winter, at least temporarily, because I don’t want to miss what God has for me in each season on the calendar and in life.

*****

I’ve got a new installment of Hospitality Matters coming out to my email friends next week. Be sure you’re signed up so you can be included with this seasonal series. Plus all subscribers get a FREE guide to serving your community with your family.

And while you’re clicking around, make sure you enter to win a copy of the beautiful, encouraging (in)courage Devotional Bible.

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Filed Under: Porch Stories Tagged With: faith, life, seasons, summer

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    January 23, 2019 at 7:28 am

    With a foot of snow here, it’s good to remember that every season has its special blessings!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 23, 2019 at 7:30 am

      That’s a lot of snow! 🙂 But hang in there, summer’s coming! xo

      Reply
  2. Susan Shipe says

    January 23, 2019 at 9:43 am

    I prefer to think of you as a “Gather” girl – and GATHER is good in all 4 seasons!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 23, 2019 at 2:40 pm

      Well, you may already know, that’s one of my very favorite words, so I’ll take that as a compliment! 🙂 Thanks for being here with kindness. xo

      Reply
  3. Mandy Farmer says

    January 23, 2019 at 3:52 pm

    It’s cool fo Savannah here. My girls are wishing for beach time!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 25, 2019 at 8:42 am

      Savannah is a great place! I love that part of the country. Thanks for stopping by, Mandy!

      Reply
  4. Lauren Sparks says

    January 23, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    I think the older I get I might be turning into a winter girl – but that’s probably because we don’t get to see it much in Texas. laurensparks.net

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 25, 2019 at 8:41 am

      I could maybe be a winter girl in Texas too … 🙂 Thanks for being here, Lauren!

      Reply
  5. Laurie says

    January 23, 2019 at 7:48 pm

    Another summertime girl here. Luckily, we are off to visit my sister in Florida. Hoping for some warm sunshine there.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 25, 2019 at 8:41 am

      I love trips to Florida in the winter! Have a great time – and soak up that sunshine!

      Reply
  6. Lisa notes says

    January 24, 2019 at 6:53 am

    On this cold wintery day, I’ll focus on this one: “Remember summer is coming.” 🙂 I’m a summer girl, too. You’re right that we don’t have to only enjoy our summer mindset in the summer. Thanks, Kristin.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 25, 2019 at 8:40 am

      I basically repeat that to myself! 🙂 Hope you’re getting some sunshine today!

      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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