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Songs of Hope

February 17, 2021 by Kristin 1 Comment

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.”
– Psalm 68:5-6 NIV

I want those who feel lonely to find rest in my home and companionship in our family. God’s ways as a father and defender were present as He built our family through three adoptions, but I don’t want us welcoming others in to stop there.

In the ESV translation of Psalm 68, verse 6 reads “God settle the solitary in a home …” This is about belonging. In other words, we are not meant to do this life alone.

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I contributed a devotional about Psalm 68 to “Songs of Hope (Vol. 2)“, which was compiled by fellow writers Keri Snyder & Sarah Frazier. This devotional spends 31 days in the Psalms.

We all need to sing some songs of hope, don’t we? Regardless of the disappointments and interruptions we face, we can still cling to hope. Of course, we want some rest from the weary, overwhelming parts of life. But so often we all seek the wrong answers.

“Songs of Hope” offers encouraging truth to bring hope to your weary soul. The devotional is a digital product so you receive the PDF immediately and can read it on any device. The purchase also comes with a 31-day reading plan and printable verse card. Right now, it’s on sale for $7 but will return to the usual $10 price soon. (Buy here!)

There’s also a first volume of this devotional book by the same name.

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In my contribution, I talk about how God built a sanctuary for me at our house in the country and how I want to share that with others. I end the devotional with these questions and a prayer:

Where in your life can you invite others in with you?
What places and peoples are places of refuge from loneliness for you?
How has God been your father and defender?

Father God, let my home be a sanctuary where I draw nearer to you and a place where others can settle in. Set those who are lonely in meaningful relationships so we can go forth with singing. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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These links are affiliate links, so I will earn a small amount from your purchase, but I’m sharing this product because I’m proud to be a small part of this project that will encourage many.

Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First.

February 11, 2021 by Kristin 1 Comment

I saw lots of writers post about this brightly colored book: “Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First.: 10 Questions to Take Your Friendships to the Next Level” by Laura Tremaine. I didn’t order it right away because, honestly, I just wasn’t sure if I needed a self-help book on connecting with people more deeply. I’ve been limiting my non-fiction consumption because I really don’t want a lot of bossy voices in my head.

Well, I ended up ordering the Kindle version of this book on the last day preorders were available because I was totally intrigued by two of the bonuses, which, more honesty, I don’t usually care about. I wanted the downloadable journaling prompts (which are taken directly from the book but provided space to process more deeply) and The Secret Tapes, which are podcast episodes where the author talks with friends and family she wrote about in the book.

Goodness, I’m glad I got this book. I read it in two days, journaled about nine of the ten questions as I read the book, plan to journal more, and recommended the book to two my best friends and my counselor. In fact, I shared some of my journals and thoughts with my counselor.

This book is part memoir and part guidebook. Laura Tremaine is a good storyteller, but she’s not just a storyteller. She uses her experiences and vulnerability to empower people to share their stuff. She goes first, asks the hard questions, and ushered me into deeper thinking about my own childhood, friendships throughout different seasons, and decisions that changed the trajectory of my life.

About the book

“Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First.” is the invitation you’ve been waiting for to show up – even maybe you didn’t know it! In spite of the hyper-connected culture we live in today, women still feel shamed for oversharing and being publicly vulnerable. And no matter how many friends we seem to have, many of us are still desperately lonely.

Openness and vulnerability are the foundation for human growth and healthy relationships, and it all starts when we share our stuff, the nitty-gritty daily details about ourselves with others. Laura has led the way in her personal life with her popular blog and podcast and now gives you the tools to build and deepen the conversations happening in your life.

Laura’s stories about her childhood in Oklahoma, her complicated shifts in faith and friendships, and her marriage to a Hollywood movie director will prompt you to identify the beautiful narrative and pivotal milestones of your own life. Each chapter offers intriguing and reflective questions that will reveal unique details and stories you’ve never thought to tell and will guide you into cultivating the authentic connection with others that only comes from sharing yourself.

“Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First.” is a 224-page hardcover book published by Zondervan (Feb. 2, 2021).

About the author

Laura Tremaine grew up in small town Oklahoma and moved to Los Angeles sight unseen when she was twenty-two years old. She worked in film and television production for many years at MTV, VH1, Fox, and Paramount Pictures, before pursuing writing full time.

Laura has been sharing her life online for ten years. She writes about friendship, anxiety, motherhood, and marriage. Her blog posts and podcast episodes resonate with women looking for ways to connect more deeply with others as they transform from one era of life into another. Laura lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Jeff, and their two children.

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Nobody told me to share this book with y’all, I just can’t help it. It’s so good. I paid for the Kindle version of this book with my own money.

Hospitality at the holidays

December 7, 2020 by Kristin Leave a Comment

This is the third in a series about why hospitality matters in every season.

I saw a stranger on Twitter say she didn’t think she would send Christmas cards this year because she didn’t have much news to share with her friends. Here at the end of what’s been a weird year full of social distancing, I actually swing the other way than the Twitter stranger: If there ever was a year to send Christmas cards, 2020 is it. People need good cheer to show up wherever they can get it.

Of course, Christmas cards aren’t the only way to love on your people. In a season of giving when many are distanced from each other, we can get creative with loving each other across the miles.

In my book, “Bringing Home More Than Groceries,” my friend Christen Price shared some ways her family was still connection with others even during a year that forced distanced between them:

Car Caravans. A friend recently turned eight and couldn’t have a birthday party. So what did we do? We all made “Happy Birthday” signs and hopped in our cars to caravan to her house. We had a parade of people driving through her circular drive singing happy birthday and her mother said it was the best gift to her precious eight-year-old heart.
Comfort Food. A couple in our small group both work in the medical field as a doctor and a nurse. They informed us of the risks of the virus and were on the front lines wearing masks while treating patients as they enter the hospital. When they got home, all they desired was a hot shower and comfort food to ease them of their daily anxiety. Our small group rotated dropping meals for them at their back door. We never saw them, but this little taste of hospitality let them know they weren’t alone in the work they were doing.
Computer Chats. My closest group of girlfriends set up Zoom meetings once a week just so we could see one another’s faces. We met in the evenings and we laughed, prayed, and talked about the serious and the silly. While nothing compares to physically being in the same room together, I’m reminded that we can stay connected even when we are apart.

Elsewhere in my book, I share about a dear childhood friend who remains in my life, even though we have only lived in the same town for one year of our adult lives – and that was 18 years ago! Many of these suggestions of connecting across the miles are relevant all year but could be tied up with a bow for the holidays too.

Here are some simple, practical ways to stay connected and close the distance that physically separates loved ones:

Use social media to spark real conversations. Conversations may happen in emails, text messages, phone calls or Facebook messages, but they go deeper than what’s happening on a public profile. Ask questions, swap stories, or continue previous conversations on a personal level. Maintaining long-distance friendships is certainly aided greatly by technology, but you still have to make an investment.
Send care packages and real mail. Yes, do it for Christmas or other special dates. But also do it just because.
Invite them over. Long-distance friends may not be conveniently located in your same town, but you can still invite them over. Get dates on the calendar and make plans. And these days be safe, of course!
If you can’t be there physically, send something. When my father-in-law passed away unexpectedly a decade ago, some out-of-town friends journeyed to our small town to grieve our loss and celebrate his life with us. Others couldn’t be here, which is understandable, but they sent flowers, pictures frames, cards, and texts of prayers. Celebrate happier holiday moments together across the miles too.

May your December be merry as you find creative ways to connect with your people.

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Free resource!

I have a pretty (and free!) printable called Hospitality For Any Season for y’all! Hospitality matters regardless of what season you’re living, so I share practical ways to open your heart and home to others. This would make a cute gift for you to share with a friend – just print and frame it!

Download it here!

Of course, “Bringing Home More Than Groceries” is available on Amazon or directly from me. To get an autographed copy directly from me, send $10 (plus $5 is shipping is needed) via PayPal to kristinhilltaylor@gmail.com and I’ll get you a copy delivered to your front porch or mailbox. Or I’m happy to send directly to someone you think would love to receive my book as a gift.