Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Cleaning out my heart

September 12, 2012 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Join the Compassion Blogger NetworkDear God,

I heard something today that had me thinking about what I treasure. I know You’ve said it before, but I was reminded that where my treasure is, there my heart will be too. In this world, we have so many opportunities to hoard clothes and toys and gadgets, millions of moments where we can choose selfishness over servanthood, and countless times when our emotions get the best of our reactions. But it’s also true that in this world, we can give and help and serve and love and focus on truth.

That’s what Jen Hatmaker has me thinking about as I read “7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess.” I’ve read chapters on how she fasted from all but seven foods for a month, how she left hundreds of articles of clothing untouched when she wore only seven items for another month, and how she made space in her life {thus her heart} by purging some possessions from her house in order to help others. She had me thinking about You.

All of these things are rooted in who You are, God. You’re gracious. And compassionate. And slow to anger. And rich in love. And faithful. And near. And Your kingdom is everlasting.

This alone should be enough for me to make spaces in my closets and my heart, on my calendar and in my checkbook. Yes, for You. But also for them. For my neighbors, the ones I know and the ones who are strangers. For my family and friends. For my enemies, yes, even them. For kids who aren’t growing up in the same culture of excess that surrounds me and my kids.

So I purged some clothes and purses and shoes from my closet. Really, I’m not even a clothes and shoes person. I do like bags. But Your truth that where I spend my money and my time and my energy will lead my heart. And I want my heart led closer to You. Cleaning out my closet won’t do that alone, but that action happened while I was thinking about this culture of excess and how somebody else that has drawers and closets and hearts that desperately need filled with truth only you, God, can provide.

While I was making a pile on my bed, I thought about Roselyn. And Jean. And how Your truth crosses cultures and countries. We spend $76 each month so their lives can be changed physically, medically, educationally and spiritually through Compassion International. Perhaps it makes them feel rich. And they are. But their wealth isn’t displayed excessively in houses and vehicles and gadgets and clothes like ours sometimes is. You make us rich, God.

So, yes, God, where my treasure is, there my heart will be too. Purging my closets is one way I took action today. Sponsoring kids through Compassion International is another way to help bring your kingdom near. There are so many things I can do for You, God. I pray You show me who and when and how. I pray You give me opportunities to make you known because when you are made known, there is compassion and eternal wealth.

In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

________

If you’re looking for a way to give to someone, please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International.

________

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Three little lives

September 4, 2012 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Join the Compassion Blogger NetworkMy daughter wanted to send toys to Guatemala, where the child we first sponsored through Compassion International lives. She since has settled to sending her stickers and drawing her pictures to comply with the rules. Both my daughter, Cate, and our sponsored child, Roselyn, are 5.

They’re impressionable at this point. We hope God uses us to make an impression of hope on Roselyn’s life, even from all these miles away. And I know God is making an impression on Cate’s heart when we talk about Roselyn or the two other Compassion children with whom we share our lives through letters.

My heart melts when I hear my daughter, who has more toys than she plays with in a day, get excited about celebrating Roselyn’s birthday with her own, giving up some of her own gifts for the sake of giving a girl she’s never met in person more. {Our idea is to collect money for an extra donation as well as other goodies — like stickers, greeting cards and coloring pages — that fit in envelopes and the correspondence rules at each of our kids’ birthday parties so each of our Compassion kids can have some extra celebration too.}

In addition to Roselyn, we sponsor and Jean, who lives in Ecuador will turn 11 the same time my son, Ben, turns 3. We also are a correspondence sponsor to Elvis, a 13-year-old boy who also lives in Ecuador. And, hey, I warned you that you’d be hearing more about Compassion International this month.

That’s three little lives in two other countries that aren’t the same because of what Compassion International does for their education, health, physical well-being, and spiritual life. I have friends who sponsor other kids. I read blogs by people who have visited these countries and shared stories of hope amidst the poverty they experience briefly.

I don’t have those kind of stories for you. {But you can read some amazing stories from Tanzania, Ecuador, Philippines, Guatemala, Kenya, El Salvador, and others at CompassionBloggers.com.}

But I do want to remind you that you can make a difference in a child’s life. It’ll cost you $38 a month, but it’s worth it. You’ll hear from that child and be reminded that live is so much more than our little corner of the world. The changes don’t stay in Ecuador or Guatemala; they come inside my home and heart too.

Sponsor a child. Really, it’s priceless. {Clicking on that link will take you to a page of sweet, sweet faces. Consider this your warning: You’ll want to help them all.}

________

Read my other Compassion-related posts here. Want more? Subscribe to get “Insights” in your inbox. Or follow me on Twitter.

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Let’s help 3,108 kids.

August 27, 2012 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Join the Compassion Blogger NetworkI’ve talked about Compassion International more than once around here. And I’m going to talk more about it in the coming weeks because September is Blog Month Compassion.

There will be stories and prizes … and there is a goal for 3,108 children to be sponsored between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30. So, let’s join the effort. 

If you blog, you can blog for Compassion too. Just sign up to be included.

If you believe, you can pray for God to raise up monthly sponsors for these kids who will have their lives changed as the financial commitments help address their physical, emotional, medical, educational and spiritual needs.

If you’re able, you can sponsor a child. That child child will never be the same, and I’m guessing you won’t either.

________

You can read my previous Compassion-related posts here. Want more? Subscribe to get “Insights” in your inbox. Or follow me on Twitter.

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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 eighth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear fifth-grade boy, and our joy-filled preschool 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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