Tuesday, May 28, 2013

{God-sized Dreams} A Reflection


It's been a whirlwind first half of 2013 for me. Most of it has been ordinary days of striving for balance between mothering and writing, working and playing, going and staying. It's been in this process, God has done big things in my heart. I can't even seem it all, much less describe it all, but I know He's continuing a work he began long ago.

Sometimes this balancing is exhausting. And when I get there, it's usually because I've been holding on too tightly. Letting go really is good for my soul. And so is regrouping and stepping away from it all, which is what I did this weekend. I looked out at that lake. I enjoyed my parents and siblings and their families. I read a whole book. I stayed up too late and got up too early. But I didn't work or write or really even plan.

And now this morning, my body is tired but my mind and heart are rested. I'm looking out again, this time at the past six months and how God has moved. It's as vast at that lake.

Author Holley Gerth has led a group of us women these past six months as we pursue our God-sized dreams. I had no idea what would come out of this group, but it's been nothing like I expected and more than I thought possible through online friendships. This is the last official link-up post, but I get the feeling it's only the beginning to real-life dreaming.

As part of this God-sized Dream Team, I formulated a mission: I believe God has created and called me to communicate stories from my own life and others' lives for families to know God as the author and creator of every detail through writing, promoting and serving.

And then I listed out three dreams and now I'm including updates:
  1. Pursue publishing a non-fiction motherhood book I've been writing. I've been working on the book sporadically. Some friends have read it. A stranger-now-friend read it. I've added to it and put it in the hands of a couple other friends I'm still hoping will read it. It's certainly a work in progress, but it's still there and will be for awhile because I'm convinced it's a project that will be best spanned over time. It's one of those then-and-now stories that deserves time.
  2. Continue praying God would lead us to a birthmom for our third adoption. We're still praying and hoping and waiting. Our home study for an independent adoption has expired, but I have the paperwork to gather the information, again. 
  3. Build an on-the-side freelance business. This is the one that hasn't progressed like I expected, but it's certainly progressed. Along with managing our own vacation rental lake house for the second summer, I now also manage the details for another property owner's house. It's a niche I didn't realize I'd like, but it's a good work-from-home job for me. I'm also officially a freelance writer, having taken several writing assignments for a local parenting/family magazine
Photo taken by my brother-in-law Zac, who happened to have my camera and noticed the view.

These dreams aren't the only ways God has moved. In thinking about publishing a book and building a freelance business, I've worked on improving and expanding this blog space. I've written posts that publish about six days a week. I've connected with readers. I've had guests write here and I've written other places. {You can read my posts at Circles of Faith(in)courage, The Riches of His Love, and Gindi's.} In dreaming and writing here, God has meshed the dreams I laid out at the beginning and created new desires in my heart.

But the asterisk, which, really, is the foundation and not a footnote is that being a wife and mom come first. These are the most important roles in my life, just after seeking God, of course. Everything else comes after. In these six months I've gradually transitioned to a work-from-home mom, but it's the parenting questions and strategies that still weigh most heavily on my heart. My work-related appointments and commitments fit around my family on my calendar.

Yes, it's a balancing act, but the view is nice here. Yes, the horizon is vast, but it's a place I believe I'm meant to be.
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Tuesdays are for God-sized Dreams here as I link up with Holley Gerth and many other dreamers. You'll find encouragement and community at her blog. If this topic is new to you, Holley has wonderful resources available as you discover where God is leading you: "The Do What You Can Plan" is an ebook that is worth every bit of the $1.99. "You're Made for a God-sized Dream" {$8.99 for Kindle; $11.71 for paperback} is packed full of encouragement.

I'm also linking up with Jen at Finding Heaven Today, where she throws a weekly Soli Deo Gloria party and offers much transparency and truth. 

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16 comments:

  1. being a wife and mom comes first. this is something I must remember. knowing myself, I leap into things and leave the important behind. what a beautiful reminder.


    visiting from the sisterhood today.

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  2. KristinHillTaylor5/28/2013 9:27 AM

    Thanks for visiting, Rachel! Yes - sometimes it's simple priorities that keep us focused on what's important.

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  3. It has been so awesome to see you grow here and I can't wait to be on the sidelines cheering you on as things progress even more! :)

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  4. Sarah Davies5/28/2013 9:52 AM

    "Letting go really is good for my soul. " Oh how I can relate to that, Kristin. I too need to learn and remember to let go and trust God. Your dreams are wonderful and although I'm not a mother or a wife, I know that what you write is an encouragement to many families. :)

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  5. It's good to see how far we've come in the last few months. We may each have a ways to go, but knowing we are taking this journey with new friends makes it easier. It's nice to know we are not in this alone. So grateful for you and all my new friends from the Dream Team!

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  6. There is such peace here. I love it.

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  7. KristinHillTaylor5/28/2013 12:49 PM

    Yes, the community God created through Holley has been such a blessing!

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  8. KristinHillTaylor5/28/2013 12:50 PM

    Thank you, Sarah. I'm glad you stopped by and found something to take away with you. :)

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  9. KristinHillTaylor5/28/2013 12:50 PM

    You are a blessing.

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  10. KristinHillTaylor5/28/2013 12:51 PM

    Thank you, Kristin. Meeting you is certainly among the highlights from these past six months. Hope I can meet you in real life sometime!

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  11. It has been such a thrill to be a part of watching your dream grow over these last months. I can not wait to see all that God has in store for you over the next months. He has used you (and will use you) to touch more lives in more ways than you will every know.

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  12. It's been a blessing to walk this journey with you, friend. I'm so glad our paths crossed...He's doing so much in and through you, and He's going to do even more! I'm excited to watch. :) Blessings to you!

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  13. KristinHillTaylor5/28/2013 8:55 PM

    You too, Mel! I'm looking forward to reading your book and seeing where else God takes you!

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  14. KristinHillTaylor5/28/2013 8:55 PM

    Thank you, Amy!

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  15. Thank you for visiting and leaving an encouraging word on Inking the Heart. I am so glad you did so I could find your blog. Blessings to you as you pursue your dreams! Thank you for sharing your hopes and dreams here. I hear so much courage in your words. . . and the strength of the Lord. Love, Rachael

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  16. KristinHillTaylor5/29/2013 8:00 AM

    And thank you for visiting here and for your sweet, encouraging words.

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