Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Created for Communion: Suffering Friends

October 31, 2023 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Nobody wants to suffer, but thank God we don’t have to experience life’s low points alone.

In a story that already involved great loss of his possessions and his children, Job experienced even more hardship when Satan attacked his health, leaving him with sores on his entire body (Job 2:7). He hurt so badly that scraping himself with a piece of broken pottery was his solution, and his wife questioned why he was still holding onto his integrity and not blaming God (Job 2:8–9). The scripture goes on to tell us Job didn’t sin with his lips, despite his hardship.

Job’s friends noticed and showed up: “Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great” (Job 2:11–13).

Job’s friends sat with him in his suffering, even when his sores were so painful and disgusting that they didn’t recognize him. They didn’t try to fix it or change it. They made an appointment to show up and waited with Job.

These same friends also provide a warning to make sure we truly understand what our friends are experiencing and not to pass judgment. Job’s story continues with his friends, before so compassionate, misunderstanding what happened to him and why God allowed his suffering. Job discusses suffering with them in chapters 4–21, and they blame him for his situation, saying he must have brought it upon himself because of his sin. Job ends up calling these friends “miserable comforters” (Job 16:2). Even so, Job prays for his friends (Job 42:10–11), and God restores Job’s losses. Job didn’t even ask for his wealth to be returned, but when his relationship with God was restored, so was the material wealth—to beyond what he had earlier in his life (Job 42:12)—including his friends who demonstrated both empathy and imperfection.

The moral of the story: Showing up is paramount, but genuine friendship also requires wisdom and understanding. We need to look beyond ourselves for the good of the other person and withhold judgment.

My losses look nothing like Job’s, but I can mark moments of grief in my own life when certain friends showed up in deep, meaningful ways. I remember the summer I was grieving the unexpected, complicated death of my dad and having so many porch conversations with Becky, who was experiencing her own, different grief of circumstances changing. Monica and I connect easily when we have parenting hardships. Our families have a lot of similarities being formed through adoption, and she understands how that affects spiritual, mental, and emotional health of our kids, especially during the middle school years.

Different seasons will require different things from us as friends. Sometimes we will meet needs; other times we will be the ones who need help. In hard times, friends have to help each other remember God’s promises and trust He’s still working.

In 2016, Dwana experienced her friends caring for her after she had to deliver her stillborn baby boy, Malachi. Her friends cleaned their house and filled their fridge with meals—tangible comforts during deep suffering for a family. Yet her kids witnessed God in the midst of despair. Her four-year-old daughter at the time told her sister, “Mommy’s friends all did this because they love us and know we are sad because we couldn’t keep Malachi, and they love Jesus, so He loved us too.” She watched her parents grieve, but she also watched Jesus comfort her parents through their friends.

More recently, Tiffany experienced this after her son had an ATV accident that left his arm requiring multiple surgeries, including skin and bone grafts. Her son’s eighth-grade year was interrupted and changed, but life went on in some ways. “I’m in a season of life when my close friendships with a few women have been life-giving,” Tiffany said. “They know my lunch and coffee orders and will fold my laundry. I have been shown Jesus through friendships a lot. They have spoken truth in my life—not clichés but in-the-trenches-with-me truth. These hard truths keep faith with me, faith that tells me everything will be okay, and even if not, they will be there to help me figure it out.”

Life has challenging seasons, but God provides relief and truth through our friends—despite their blunders—so we can find healing on the other side. 

*****

This is one chapter from Created for Communion: Discovering God’s Design for Biblical Friendship. There is another sample section available on my website as well as other freebies, like One Another verses and a playlist. Buy the whole book here. 

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Created for Communion

September 5, 2023 by Kristin Leave a Comment

I thought I’d start by sharing the first line: I was introduced to God through my friends.

Created for Communion: Discovering God’s Design for Biblical Friendship is about coming alongside each other and uses Biblical relationships to show us how to give and receive that side-by-side love—even in our human imperfections.

As believers, we have communion with each other because Jesus’ death and resurrection made a way for us to have fellowship with God. Even before God sent Jesus, he showed his love through His people—people who had friends and were friends.

Each chapter in Created for Communion explores a different Biblical relationship, showing how those friendships transformed each person. Study the remarkable

examples set by David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi, Jonah and his friends, Mary and Elizabeth, Jesus and his disciples, the friends of the paralytic man, and Paul and Timothy (and others!)

In this book on Biblical friendship, we’ll learn how God has created us for communion, allowing His people—then and now—to befriend one another in holy ways.

Purchasing Notes

Here on launch morning, I am waiting for Amazon to sync the paperback and Kindle versions and move them from pre-order status. Hopefully, that happens at any moment. You can also buy from Barnes & Noble. I also have copies at my house, if you’d like to buy one from me directly. Those are $10 locally or $15 shipped — and, yes, they’re autographed. I accept PayPal, Venmo, and cash.

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How to host a party

June 2, 2023 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Hospitality makes others feel at home when it happens in the midst of real life. - Kristin Hill Taylor, Bringing Home More Than Groceries #morethangroceries

Ah, sweet summertime, aka, my favorite time to host get-togethers! Yes, it’s a little humid in Kentucky, but I love gathering on my covered porch next to the pool with friends anyway. We started out the summer hosting a family reunion at our vacation rentals at Kentucky Lake. Then we dove into hosting some middle school boys, some high school girls, and some of my friends. I’ve always wanted our house to be where people of all ages gather, so mission accomplished. 

I think about hosting the best get-together as helping others make memories. There are many elements that come into play when hosting a party, regardless of whether it is a casual gathering or something more formal – and, if you’re like me, casual parties are the way to go!

And now the summer is rolling around, more people will be hosting soirees and getting their nearest and dearest together for some good old-fashioned fun. Here’s how to make your new party go with a bang and ensure everyone has the best time. 

Relax

You can drive yourself crazy, running around in circles trying to please everyone. Even the date you choose won’t work for everyone, and that’s okay! Plus I’ve learned nobody really cares if your house is completely spotless. Yes, I tidy up, but I don’t aim for perfection with the floors, windows, and countertops anymore. Like anything in life, there are bound to be interruptions and unexpected moments, regardless of how well everything is planned. 

Food & drinks

A good party needs food and drinks. Of course, you can provide everything or plan a potluck where others contribute to the menu. I do both kinds of parties regularly and appreciate both ways. I do keep our extra fridge in the laundry room stocked with drinks, and regulars at my house know they can help themselves to a Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper Zero, Capri Sun, or bottled water. 

Whether you’re hosting a BBQ or taco bar, try this taco dip recipe that everyone will love as a side dish. I’ve become known for “cowboy caviar,” French toast bake, chicken spaghetti, and jalapeno ranch dip – all of which come from recipes I’ve gathered from other places! 

Seating 

Because I usually have informal parties, kids have been known to eat their dinner on the trampoline or beside the pool. I did recently buy some additional chairs from Lowe’s to accommodate more people on our porch. Inside, we have a big dining room table, another table for six in the kitchen, and four bar stools to go at our kitchen counter. Options! Of course, there are some lounge chairs by the pool as well as two tables and lots of chairs on our porch. 

Pest repellant

One of the most frustrating things about hosting outdoor parties is that they attract all manner of pests. You don’t want pests, from ants to flies, mosquitoes, and more, on your guest list. We brought out some bug spray the other night because a couple of our guests were getting bitten by mosquitoes. Nobody wants that. I need to break out the citronella candles next time too. Of course, we depend on our cats to deter other pests! 

Conclusion

Parties are supposed to be fun for the host and all the guests, and focusing on bringing joy to your gathering can serve you better than concentrating on the small details and overthinking what is going on. Ensure everyone has something to eat, drink, and somewhere to be comfortable – and everything will work out.

*****

I write more about hospitality in my book, “Bringing Home More Than Groceries: Stories About Gathering & Nourishing People.” (Learn more about that here.)

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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 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.

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DAY 6: ONE THING YOU’RE SAYING YES TO IN 2024 fo DAY 6: ONE THING YOU’RE SAYING YES TO IN 2024 for @anchoredwomen's Reflect & Refresh Challenge

As I think about transitioning into the new year, I am committing to saying yes to God, my family, my church, and my closest friends. Everything else is up for debate. Saying yes to the nearest and dearest is most important to me. When I say yes to my kids’ schedules and needs, that means saying no to other things, but I’ve learned these priorities are what keep me present in this season, right now, with a husband of more than two decades, a 16-year-old who drives herself places, a 14-year-old boy, and an 8-year-old girl. The seasons change quickly, so I want to say yes to this one, right here where God has me. 

#newyear #livingfaithfully #wifelife #momlife #reallife #seasons #motherhood
DAY 5: SOMETHING THAT WAS A CHALLENGE for @anchore DAY 5: SOMETHING THAT WAS A CHALLENGE for @anchoredwomen's Reflect & Refresh Challenge

(Yes, I know, I went quiet there for a few days. I'm back!) 

I love having older kids, but our family encountered a challenge this year for one child as adoption trauma, genetics, hormones, school stress, and medicine side effects collided for a perfect storm of mental health challenges. We’re still sorting through it all, waiting for an appointment that we hope brings direction for the next steps, and taking it one day at a time. 

We are forever grateful for our everyday friends who have walked alongside us so well. This challenge has interrupted many things, but we’ve also learned a lot about ourselves. One of the greatest joys is knowing my three kids with different personalities and preferences as individuals, and this challenge has magnified that and reminded me how blessed we are, even on the hard days. 

#bettertogether #friends #friendship #momlife #reallife #adoptionislove #adoption #teenagers #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #faithlife
We had the best time cheering for our varsity girl We had the best time cheering for our varsity girls at the KCAA Holiday Classic in Independence, KY, on Friday and Saturday. And our girls brought home the first place trophy after an exciting, intense 53-51 overtime win against Oak Ridge Christian Academy last night. 

Cate was named to the all-tournament team and had her most-ever 19 points (and two chipped teeth!) in the championship game. I’m so proud of her and her friends. And to think she hadn’t played organized basketball until four years ago. In fact, @ncca.lions girls played in its first game four years ago yesterday. Look how far they’ve come!

Here’s to such a fun 4-0 start to the Lions fifth season of girls basketball. Go Cate! And go Lions! 💛

#basketballseason #highschool #momlife #weekending #documentlife #thisis16
DAY 4: SOMETHING THAT WENT REALLY WELL for @anchor DAY 4: SOMETHING THAT WENT REALLY WELL for @anchoredwomen's Reflect & Refresh Challenge

Spring Break 2023 was the first time we vacationed with friends. We all boarded Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas for a week of sunshine and fun. It was such a great time – so much so we hope to do another cruise with the same friends sooner rather than later.

#reflectandrefresh2023 #newyear #reflections #bettertogether #favoritethings
DAY 3: ONE BOOK THAT IMPACTED YOUR YEAR for @ancho DAY 3: ONE BOOK THAT IMPACTED YOUR YEAR for @anchoredwomen's Reflect and Refresh Challenge

“The Power of Place: Choosing Stability in a Restless Age” by @mrdanielgrothe . I posted about this book before, but I read it on a whim after hearing someone reference its theme on a podcast. And I loved it so much. It echoed so much of what God has been teaching me in my small-town life. The tenth chapter — Stability in Friendship — is basically a summary of my book, “Created for Communion.”

I don’t read a ton of non-fiction, but when I do the messages tend to matter in my life, and this book is no exception. “The Power of Place” is one that will encourage me for many days to come. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #bookshelf #bookstack #books #bookreview #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookblogger #socialmediachallenge #CreatedForCommunion #holyfriendships #bettertogether
DAY 2: BEST NEW DISCOVERY as part of @anchoredwome DAY 2: BEST NEW DISCOVERY as part of @anchoredwomen's Reflect & Refresh Challenge

I love to haul around a sort of big bag (aka purse) so I can have all the things with me in the car, but I don’t want to haul that bag into stores or short errands. I had a Lululemon crossbody bag that was about the size of a fanny bag that I really loved, but it was pale pink and always looked dirty. This year I discovered an off-brand crossbody bag on Amazon that is even better than the Lululemon AND IT’S $20. And it’s so easy to just throw in my big bad when I don’t have it slung over my shoulder.

https://amzn.to/3sSWwHa

You’re welcome!

🎁 If you're looking for other gift ideas, I put together a list of some of my favorite things, including this handy bag! bit.ly/KHTgiftideas

#reflectandrefresh #socialmediachallenge #favoritethings #reflectandrefresh2023 #giftideas #bestbag #linkinbio
DAY 1: ONE THING YOU’RE GRATEFUL FOR Is it chea DAY 1: ONE THING YOU’RE GRATEFUL FOR

Is it cheating if I say I’m grateful for my own book?! I don’t say that in a conceited way, but I say it because the book – the actual pages and the process – really sums up what I’m grateful for this year. 

The longer answer is this: My community of people is among the greatest blessings in my life, and I’ve seen that so clearly this year. 

I had the idea to write a book about biblical friendship. I had no idea I’d love the process of studying friends in the Bible as much as I did. God was so good to keep leading me to different stories and truth. Sermons echoed what I was learning. My real-life friendships were enhanced and I became keenly aware of the importance of friendship – both with God and others – in my own life. 

My dear friends & pastor Katie & Kory Cunningham wrote the foreword, Mandy Roberson and her fantastic team at @marketrefinedmedia helped bring my book to a beautiful reality, and so many friends shared their stories in the pages. The whole researching, writing, and publishing experience was wonderful. 

Since I published “Created for Communion” in September, I’ve been in the trenches of a dear friendship in my life shifting in ways that are both part of life and hard to accept. My teenagers have walked through their own friendship tensions. And our family has been in a hard season this fall that I haven’t been able to share publicly yet those in our everyday life know details and have walked alongside us so beautifully. 

In a year of changes and shifts, I’m grateful not to be alone and see the goodness of God. 

I’m joining Kayse Pratt from @anchoredwomen for this annual Reflect & Refresh Challenge. Yes, I’m a day late, and that about sums up my life these days.

#reflectandrefresh2023 #reflectandrefresh #newyear #socialmediachallenge #reallife #bettertogether #authorlife #CreatedForCommunion #friendship #holyfriendship #author #book #bookstagram #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #linkinbio
A few weeks ago, I learned I’m allergic to trees A few weeks ago, I learned I’m allergic to trees, grasses, weeds, dust mites, mold, cats, and dogs. No wonder I always feel like I have unnecessary fluid sitting in my ears! So today I started allergy shots. Here’s to hoping it helps! 

#allergies #allergyshots #countryliving #reallife #thisis44
‘Tis the season for @sophie_cousens, apparently. ‘Tis the season for @sophie_cousens, apparently. Scroll to see how @timehop reminded me today. 

I finished her newest book, “The Good Part,” last night. I read it in a couple of days — so that tells you how I felt about it. 

I don’t usually like stories that have time travel or leaps, but this book worked well with its “13 Going on 30” vibes. 

Perhaps it’s my age (44), but I remember being a teenager and young adult just wanting to get to the good part of life. Of course, since then I’ve walked through trials and griefs of many kinds. Would I want to skip them? Of course! But I also know those struggles and challenges have shaped me. 

Anyway, back to the book. I loved the characters & their relationships with one another, especially the friendships that spanned all the parts of life. 

Obviously, I recommend all of @sophie_cousens’ books.

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #bookreviews #books #weekending #favoritethings #timehop
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