Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

God’s forever on our side

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“Oh I don’t know / What’s around the bend / Oh, all I know / Is that my love / It knows no end / All these pieces they fall in line / Because I’m forever on your side / Take my hand when you can’t see the light / Cause I’m forever on your side / I will carry / You every time / Because I’m forever on your side”

– Needtobreathe’s “Forever On Your Side”

My mind hasn’t wanted to turn off this week. I’ve been processing news in lives of people I care about, parenting three kids in different seasons, and navigating a hard conversation. So many perceptions and feelings can influence my mind, distracting me from all the good around me.

One evening this week my mind was dwelling on this and that and this again. I couldn’t shut it off long enough to fall asleep so I got out of bed and folded five loads of laundry while I watched “New Amsterdam” on the DVR. The show had a storyline that made me think of a friend of mine. But instead of letting my mind spiral into all the stuff again, God influenced my perception. He reminded me to be still and trust him as God.

I have hope & disappointment side by side in my hands. I know joy and grief at the same moment. I truly believe God uses it all when we love him and are called to his purpose (Romans 8:28). In a world of factions and sides, conflict and change, surprises and distractions, I’m grateful God is forever on my side. And I’m grateful for the ways he brings his truth into our lives through others who follow Christ. That’s the kind of influence we all need.

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I’m joining the Five Minute Friday writing crew with this post. The prompt this week was INFLUENCE.

What everyday balance really looks like

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Yesterday was one of those days I was out and about the whole time my kids were in school. I took care of a couple of things for myself, lunched with a friend whose story overlaps my own in many ways, walked with another friend who is honest and real, and addressed some Christmas cards in the grocery store parking lot because I had some extra time after I ran in for a few things.

It was a soul-filling day for my 63% extroverted self.

Today I met my best friend for a morning walk – reminiscent of what we used to d0 before our kids starting growing up and she went back to work full time. And I don’t have much else planned today until the same friend and her family come over for dinner and Settlers of Catan.

I also anticipate being at home, working at a slower pace through my to-do list, will be good for my soul.

I don’t believe balance truly can be achieved, but I believe we can recognize no two days are truly the same and find some balance in that. Balance can be defined as “an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.”

While I was driving around town yesterday, I listened to Banning Liebscher on Annie Downs’ That Sounds Fun podcast. I had to jot something down when I got to a red light because I want to let it sink in my soul: “We have to slow down a little bit and be okay without constantly amazing people with some new something that he showed me or did with me or I’m trying to blow you away with this revelation or this funny thing. Let God do something with your life.”

Let God do something with your real, unbalanced life – and then we’ll find the only balance that matters because God is actually bearing the weight to keep us upright and steady.

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I actually started mentally writing this post in my head last night, so it’s fitting the Five Minute Friday prompt is BALANCE. I’m linking up with the FMF crew. Join us as we set the timer for five minutes and just write.

Let the seasons repeat

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Traditions are one of my favorite parts of fall. College homecoming. Friendsgiving. Thanksgiving. School pictures. Preparing for Christmas. Basketball season beginning.

There are some dates on our fall calendar that remain every year. I like the repetition. We share tradition meals with people we love. And we root for our Racers – who happen to be playing some decent football this year leading into basketball season.

Since moving to the country 2 ½ years ago, I especially the colors of fall that surround me. The leaves were perfection this week. I’ve had a million things running through my mind, but then I look at the colorful leaves and God reminds no season on our calendars or in our lives is forever.

I’m 63% extroverted. I don’t like being the center of attention. I don’t like speaking to crowds. But I am filled up by vulnerable conversations around a table. Even when this activity is repeated, it’s never the same. The traditions I love are centered around the people they involve.

This week that looked like meeting with a couple who is ready to pursue adoption but wanted to ask questions of someone who has walked through that; being with my Bible study girls after too long of not seeing them; inviting myself over to visit with a friend who has be part of several seasons of my life; lunching with one friend; and catching up with a friend over nachos. My personality means I’m looking forward to an early Friendsgiving with my best friends this weekend because that is how my soul rests.

This world can be overwhelming with its headlines and conflicts and brokenness. But those situations won’t last forever because God promises this is not the end of the story. Until then, he gives me people with whom I love sharing a table and shows his glory in the leaves.

Let’s mark the traditions on the calendar, still be aware of spontaneous goodness, and repeat it all over with each season that comes.

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It’s been a long while, but I’m joining the Five Minute Friday writing crew with this free write on the prompt REPEAT.