Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

Seasons of belonging

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Even in my favorite season, I’ve hit some bumps. I’m enough of an extrovert that I’ve always created the community I crave. But, honestly, I haven’t had the energy to invest in relationships, so this summer has been filled with my few closest friends and whoever invited me into their life.

Kristen Strong’s encouragement and guidance in “Back Roads to Belonging: Unexpected Paths to Finding Your Place and Your People” helped me find my place in my own season of letting roots sink in more deeply while learning new things, processing how sorrow and hope can co-exist, and finding renewed perspective in belonging right where I am. She’s spurred me on to seek God’s beauty and adventure right in front of me. While doing so, God filled my soul when I feel empty and reminded me of his promises for me and my place with Him.

One of the gifts this summer was a Bible study my friend Megan hosted. Honestly, I shy away from regular commitments in the summer, but I knew when she asked me about it in the spring that I wanted to go. I didn’t anticipate backing off from some of my usual invitations to others. I didn’t realize sorrow could lead to feelings of not belonging. I didn’t know at the time I would need for someone to welcome me in. (Plus I’ve learned a lot from studying Hebrews.)

This summer has definitely been a season of growing down, letting roots sink in more deeply while learning new things about myself and my family. My tendency is to make plans and invite people over and fill the wide-open spaces. But this summer I drew the circle a little smaller and found fresh perspective in belonging right where I am.

“The specifics of how we relax in this growing down season aren’t important. Using the time and not wasting it is. This is not the time to fret about growing up or out to be seen in our belonging place. This is the season to be known by growing down, to build a stronger sense of belonging that is rooted in Christ, in whom our closeness overshadows our place here on earth.”

– Kristen Strong in “Back Roads to Belonging”

Kristen’s words in that paragraph and her whole book came when I needed them most. I preordered “Back Roads to Belonging” long before this season and then I received a copy for being on the launch team. It’s one of those books that literally feels good to hold and figuratively feels good for your soul.

I actually gave my early copy away to my friend Becky who moved at the end of July because she’s been important to my belonging — to this season, to this community, and to Christ. (I also gave her a copy of the mix I made for myself because I needed to hear truths of about how sorrow & hope could mingle together. Here’s that playlist, if you’re interested.)

My friendship with Becky surprised me in the sweetest ways this summer because I didn’t see all our conversations and time around tables coming. But God knew. He knew I needed her wisdom and authenticity. He knew she needed to belong in a different way too. He knew things we haven’t even learned yet because that’s how he provides and sustains us in our eternal belonging.

I’m grateful for my own back roads, Kristen’s words, and the belonging that happens here. As my kids head back to school and we fall into a different routine, I’ve still got belonging on my mind. So here’s to saying yes to others, welcoming others in even when it looks different than expected, and believing hospitality matters because it helps heal.

So, in Kristen’s words: “When you believe you’re in a season of wandering around a barren belonging landscape, may you know you don’t wander purposelessly. God is aware of every bump and bend, and Jesus walks with you through every setback and delay. May you never stop participating in your own life, even through the mystery — because God is moving for you in your life. May you remember Jesus was brought outside so you could be brought inside forever.”

About the author & book

Kristen Strong, author of “Girl Meets Change,” writes as a friend offering meaningful encouragement for each season of life so you can see it with more hope and less worry. She and her U.S. Air Force veteran husband, David, have three children. Together this military family zigzagged across the country (and one ocean) several times before settling in Colorado Springs, Colorado. You can find her at her website, DaySpring’s (in)courage, and on Instagram.

“Back Roads to Belonging” is a 208-page paperback published by Revell (Aug. 6, 2019).

Giveaway

And I’m sharing a copy of this book with one of you. Thanks for being here and sharing pieces of your story. Use the Rafflecopter below for various entries. I’ll randomly choose a winner Tuesday, Aug. 13.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Glory is just around the corner

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“Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” — 1 Peter 4:12-13 (The Message)

Adoption built my faith and my family.

As I became a momma in this way I didn’t expect, I prayed for God to use our story to encourage others. While we were navigating the adoption process the first two times, I knew hardly anyone who had adopted or was adopted. Now, a momma of three kids who came to us through private, domestic adoptions, I also have a community of moms who understand.

This online community is the answer to my prayers. Yes, it’s one of the ways God is using our story, like I prayed for, but it’s also been a blessing to me as I navigate parenting. Within this community, I’ve often quoted 1 Peter 4:13 from The Message: “This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.”

Regardless of where people are in the process, I want these other moms to remember we’re in these adoptions and this life together. And the glory really is coming. This online community has been a safe space where we share prayer requests, resources, and updates. Some of us get to gather around real-life tables for lunches and watch our kids befriend one another.

That’s how I began the devotion I contributed to “Faith, Hope, & Connection: A 30-Day Devotional for Adoptive and Foster Parents.”

About the book

Are you a foster or adoptive parent needing hope for this complex and sometimes lonely journey? Do you love your kids but feel discouraged? Are you misunderstood by people around you?

In “Faith, Hope, & Connection: A 30-Day Devotional for Adoptive and Foster Parents,” you’ll find real, often raw, stories from adoptive and foster parents in the trenches; scripture and faith-filled hope, pointing you to Jesus; and honest reflections speaking courage to your soul and reminding you that you are not alone.

This devotional is written by 30 authors, all foster and adoptive parents, who offer a window into their own lives and families. You’ll recognize yourself time and time again in their words. “Faith, Hope, & Connection” is a treasure-trove of wisdom and grace for foster and adoptive families.

This 141-page paperback was independently published by The Adoption Connection for The Refresh Conference in February 2019.

About the editors

Melissa Corkum is an adoptee and adoptive mom. She and her husband are parents to six kids by both birth and adoption. Their open door policy has blessed them with lots of honorary family members along the way. They are Empowered to Connect Parent Trainers. She hates cleaning and loved extra-crispy fries. Find her online at her website, The Cork Board.

Lisa Qualls is a birth mom and adoptive mom. She and her husband have 12 kids by birth and adoption and even more through foster care. As a Trust-Based Relational Intervention practitioner, she walks alongside families with kids from “hard places.” She loves hosting big family dinners but hates grocery shopping, which is a problem. Find her online at her website, One Thankful Mom.

Together they host The Adoption Connection, which includes a website, podcasts, and Facebook group to support adoptive and foster families.

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I received a free copy of this devotional for being a contributing author, but I’ve already recommended it to others because I believe we are better when we encourage each other with our stories. If you’re looking for other adoption resources, I compiled a list of those too.

Creating conversations that matter

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The conversations Cate and I have had lately about technology, friendships, and school are important, but I’m realizing I need other people to echo the same truths. Yet I’m picky who speaks into my kids’ lives. When I find a resource that works well, I want to share it, so that’s what I’m doing today.

I can’t really remember how I first met Nick & Bethany Calhoon, but our paths have crossed various times in our small town. He is the student pastor at what I call my bonus church – it’s not where we attend, but I go to Bible study there, Cate is going to camp this summer with some of her school friends who go there, and my big kids have been to VBS there. I’m happy he’s here today to introduce you to his new podcast that’s created for teenagers and their parents.

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In our family, we have a saying: “See a need, meet a need.” In my experience working with students and their families as a pastor, I noticed a great need and thus we created The Minivan Moments Family Podcast.

This podcast was designed with both parents and teenagers in mind. When we surveyed the current state of families, one trend was the family was no longer communicating the way that it had in the past. Parents and their children have become content in being “around” one another but not really engaging with one another. With chaotic schedules, families are busier than ever and the result is families that are disengaged and at the same time wondering, “How did we get here?” However, we knew there was a time and place that families are together regularly that could begin to refresh the communication amongst families. That place … THE CAR! That’s right, families are in the car more than they are around the dinner table, so we have designed this podcast to meet families where they are and to help them redeem that time in their cars.

How is this podcast different than others? Well, we have good news! This podcast will be a weekly podcast that will be NO MORE than 10 MINUTES! That’s right, 10 minutes or less is our guarantee. We know you’re busy and we can say everything we need to say in that short window of time. It’s also short enough that you can listen to an entire episode in one trip in the car.

So every week we are going to tackle engaging cultural and biblical topics to promote conversation. How are we going to do that, by ending every episode with a question. That’s the best part about this podcast. We want to provide helpful information on a variety of topics that are related to both parents and teenagers, but then we make sure to allow time for you to discuss as a family. We pray that you would use this podcast as a regular part of your routine and begin to redeem that time in the car so that you cannot just survive as a family, but rather begin to thrive!

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Nick Calhoon is the student pastor at Hardin Baptist Church. He’s married to Bethany, and they have three beautiful children – Brooks, Ellis, and Atticus. He is a graduate of Murray State University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find the podcast on SoundCloud or iTunes.