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Posted in Family, food, friends, gratitude, life, love, loving others, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel

Beautiful

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and all that fills it resound. Let the fields and everything in them celebrate. Then all the trees of the forest will shout for joy.” Psalm 96:11-12

I was surrounded by beauty.  As I write this I am in the holy land—no, not the one where Jesus lived—the one where people eat grits regularly and without sugar.  My wife Judy and I are in Carrolton, Georgia visiting with my sister Agnes and JW. Even though we have been in the Midwest for 43 years, in Southern (and I do mean Southern) Illinois for 37 years and in Southeastern Illinois for 23 years, we still deeply enjoy returning to the land of our roots.  You can take the boy and his girl out of the South but you can’t take the South out of them.

During our time here so far, we have seen several things that are beautiful.  During my time at my sister’s home, I would walk in the mornings.  They live in a delightful neighborhood with many beautiful homes.  As I walked the quiet streets, I can honestly say I appreciated the beauty of the neighborhood.  But remember, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

One day, a great couple, good friends of Agnes and JW, treated them and us to a day on a beautiful and large lake in Northern Alabama.  Now it truly must have been Northern because neither of our two new friends ate grits but they sure were nice people. We boated around this huge lake for several hours admiring the magnificent homes. It was a beautiful site to behold. But remember, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Well, Agnes and JW own a small home on a small lake in the country and we were also able to spend a few days there.  Because of the design of home, which is a simple studio style one bedroom and bath, they call their place, “The Gazebo at Lake Tisinger.” Their place sits right on the lake…again not a large lake but one that is strictly private because there is no public access. There were no speed boats, no crowds, nothing except the beauty of nature.  Most of the shore line was filled with old growth trees.

So this morning I woke up, got my coffee, and walked outside and was just overwhelmed with the beautiful scene before me.  There, mirrored on the calm waters, was the reflection of the trees and the freshly minted blue sky of another of God’s days.  It was magnificent and I realized that as much as I enjoyed my sister’s beautiful neighborhood, and as much as I enjoyed seeing the magnificent homes on that much larger lake…it paled to the beauty of God’s handiwork. Beauty is in the eyes on the beholder and from where I sat, I knew I was seeing and enjoying one of God’s best works.

God never makes a mistake and He always gets it right but sometimes it just seems He goes over the top.  I think this time He did exactly that. Of course, I guess He does it a lot doesn’t He? Whether it is a cradle in a stable or a well used Roman cross on hilltop or an empty tomb—He does all things well.  Our challenge is to be sure and take the time to see, enjoy, and admire all that He does.  Does that really matter?  Yes, it really does.  When we learn to see and admire His handiwork, it reminds us to believe, understand, and know that no matter what, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Posted in communication, Family, food, Grace, life, school days, Scripture

Instant Grits

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 

Well, they aren’t as good as traditional–but they ain’t bad. Yup, I was raised on grits…the old fashioned kind. Momma would get a pot of hot water boiling on the stove, dump in some grits, let them simmer for a while, add salt and pepper, and let them simmer some more. Somewhere along the way, they got just the right consistency and she would put them in a bowl on the table. Then, we would scoop them up, put enough butter to form a small lake right in the middle and proceed to feast. They were delicious.

When I got older and time became a little more valuable, I started buying instant grits. These are not only quicker but easier. First you get a small bowl, open a packet of grits and pour them in the bowl. Then you add a half of cup of water, salt and pepper and a chunk of real butter (not the fake stuff), put it in the microwave for 123 seconds and bingo–instant grits. Now sometimes I would add some bacon bits and or cheese just to spice things up. Like I said, not as good as old fashioned but not too bad. Not.Too.Bad.

Well, starting tomorrow we are going into a season of instant Grits. My wife Judy and I will be celebrating our 50th anniversary this June and we are getting an early start. For the whole month of April I won’t be available to publish our traditional Grits. So rather than just put everything on hold, I will be publishing ahead of time so every day you should get a serving of Grits. Now, these won’t be traditional…but rather instant. In other words, I’ll be going back in time and snagging enough Grits to publish one a day for the whole month. You will probably remember them but let me encourage to read them like the first time.

I already rerun some stories and when I read and edit them to get them ready to publish, I always enjoy reading them again. I find myself smiling, laughing and yes, sometimes crying. It seems they never grow old. So I hope you will keep reading and keep enjoying the stories we have shared and the great truths we have learned. As you remember and perhaps reflect, one thing remains constant. No matter what we know that, “He’s got this!” Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, friends, life, Scripture, spiritual battles

Slow Down Horsey

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 

I once knew a guy who was one of the fastest eaters I have ever seen.  If we were having a meal at church, he would get low and close to his plate and begin to shovel the food in.  It was amazing. I know at my house when I was growing up, we had to learn to eat fast too. With so many mouths to feed sometimes there was just enough to go around. You know, five people, six biscuits. Five people, seven pieces of chicken.  So, the bottom line was, if you wanted seconds, you better be the first one finished.

I heard a story once about a family just like mine and they too were having chicken. Well, there were five people and six pieces of chicken, and everyone got their piece. A few minutes after they started eating, the lights went out and when they came back there was a hand on the last piece of chicken with five forks stuck in it! Sometimes it just pays to be fast—but not always.

I don’t know why it is but when I am reading the Bible during my morning Jesus time, I tend to speed and skip through the text.  It seems to mostly occur when I know the text well. If it is John 3:16 I sometimes get the “For God so loved” and the next thing I know I’m reading, “everlasting life” and I totally miss all the good stuff in the middle.  Strange.

It also happens with verses that have a list.  Verses like Galatians 5:22-23 that list the nine fruit of the Spirit suddenly become a list of two or three.  I might get love and joy but rarely make it the last one which is self-control. Oh, and guess what?  One of the things that I seem to always be lacking on is—self-control.  No surprise there. The other verse that I can’t seem to get in my head is Philippians 4:8. Paul, the guy who wrote a big chuck of the New Testament, gives us a list of things to think on—like, “whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable.” Now that’s a great list—if you take the time to read it. 

Let me suggest that we learn to slow down—whether it be at the table and especially when it comes to the Word of God.  We can’t learn it and apply it if we don’t take the time to fully read it. So, rather than worrying about who gets the last piece of chicken or the last biscuit—just enjoy the one you got.  When it comes to reading the Word, go ahead and hit the brakes.  If you need some lessons on breaking, just ask the One who knows all about—our Heavenly Father.  Remember, He gave us the Sabbath to slow us down so you know—He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Grace, life, Scripture, sovereignty of God

Singing Before Sunrise

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

It happens every year…just about this time.  One of the amazing things about God’s creation is the preciseness of it all.  You can predict the time of the sunrise a hundred years from today within seconds.  The seasons come and go with precise assuredness, and it is not an accident.  Oh no, it is by intentional design.  The Creator God of it all is the God of details and He doesn’t miss one.  Just a couple of weeks ago here in Southern Illinois we were freezing and had a dose of snow, sleet, and ice.   Monday it was just over seventy degrees, the grass is greening, and the limbs of the trees are swelling with anticipation. They all know it is time.  Even a late snow won’t upset the apple cart.

I know sometimes we worry about some things and sometimes we worry about everything, but nature just doesn’t seem to have that problem.  Sometimes I long for that.  When things around me seem so confusing and threatening, like right now, I just have a tendency to worry.  But nature doesn’t miss a beat.  This morning, I got up at my somewhat usual 5:15 am (don’t ask me why) and began my day with a cup of coffee and a time with Jesus.  It works well.  The coffee wakes me up and my time with Jesus sets me up for a brand-new day.  

At 5:15 am the sun is still sleeping so the skies and the countryside are still dark…very dark.  But something happens every year…just about this time.  Somewhere in my yard, somewhere outside my window a songbird starts to sing.  I’m sure it is a different bird every year and it might even be a different bird every day but long before daylight, he or she decides to sing.  I find it very…refreshing.  Though it is dark, the songbird sings in anticipation of what is coming.  Somehow, they know that the darkness of night is just about over, and the sun is going to rise.  They seem to know that the darkness cannot last forever…it must give way to the power of light.

By faith, the songbird sings its celebration of Spring and of a new day.  And do you know what?  Sure enough, in about thirty or forty minutes, the dawn begins to break, and God honors their faith.  Day in and day out the songbird sings and day in and day out God is faithful.  I think there is a lesson there for us. Actually, there are two.  First, is the lesson of our faith.  The songbird sings not because it sees the light but because it believes the light is coming.  Tucked away in a letter that Paul wrote to the church located in Corinth are these words, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”  We.Walk.By.Faith.

The songbird sings by faith and God calls us to walk by faith.  Walking by faith believes that what God has said will come to pass.  And the second lesson?  It is the lesson of His faithfulness.  Our faith is based on a faithful One.  We have all lived long enough to know that put your faith in the wrong thing and you’re toast.  But put your faith in the One who is faithful, and it is the most sane, most logical thing that you can do.

So tomorrow morning, even if it’s out of the range of my hearing, a songbird will begin to sing in the darkness.  It will be announcing, by faith, that a new day is coming—daylight is coming. And Lord willing, most of us will awaken from a night of rest.  For some it may be dark and for others quite light, but for all of us we have the opportunity to take our first steps in the new day.  I hope they will be steps of faith…faith in a Dearest Daddy who loves us enough to guide us, to help us and to lead us.  All we have to do is believe…in Him…in who He is and what He said.  He has never failed, you know.  It is totally foreign to Him.  He can and will come through…not matter what.  So, go ahead and peer out into the darkness as the songbird sings and know, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Posted in life, patience, priorities, spiritual battles, wisdom

The Foundation of the Problem

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Luke 6:45 

Well, we missed that one.  You know sometimes what appears to be problem just isn’t. Several years ago, we realized that one of our spare beds was looking a little worn out. So, we poked and prodded (not the mattress) the internet looking for that delicate balance between price and quality.  Well, we finally decided on one and soon it was at home with us.  There, all was well.  Rest well dear friends…rest well. 

Imagine our surprise when several months down the road one of our guests said that they just simply did not rest well on that bed.  We were befuddled…we were confused and finally we just wrote it off to the fact that people can be fickle about the mattress they sleep on.  Surely, there is no place like home and often there is no bed the one we sleep on night after night.

Fast forward a couple of months and strangely someone else said the mattress seemed a little worn out.  Well, we decided perhaps, just perhaps, we should replace the mattress.  Apparently, while we fond of the mattress, our guests weren’t.  So we did some more research and bought another mattress.  The other one went to our daughter’s house and well, at least they were happy.

You are not going to believe what happened next.  You guessed it, someone didn’t like our new mattress.  Well, I personally figured out that the impossible quest was to made someone happy with a mattress other than their own.  Oh, well, easy come, easy go. Well, a while later I was looking at an email I get that tells about different good deals on the internet and I found a queen bed with an upholstered headboard and sideboards. Also, it didn’t require a boxspring and the price was spot on.  I showed it to Judy, she agreed and the deal was done.

Before long, it arrived by one of the delivery companies and we prepared to put it together. First thing we had to do was take the other bed apart. We removed the mattress and then the boxspring.  When I picked up the boxspring I noticed that it was kinda bowed and then I noticed why.  The wood frame of the boxspring was actually broken in two. I showed it to Judy and we both realized something at the same time.  We didn’t have a mattress problem…we had a boxspring…a foundation problem.

Sure enough we put the bed together, put the mattress on and then we tested our work.  We both instantly noticed an amazing different. While only time will tell the end…I think our bed problem is solved.  Keep in mind the big truth. It wasn’t a mattress problem, it was a foundation problem.  True in beds…true in life.

You see, if you are having a difficulty in your day by day walk around life, the problem may not be as obvious as you think. Maybe, just maybe, you have a foundation problem.  This is especially true in the moral and spiritual areas of our life.  Jesus said if you too often shocked by what comes out of your mouth, you probably don’t have a mouth problem…you have a heart mouth.  He said, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Boom…there you go!

So, if your mattress is uncomfortable…be sure and check your boxsprings.  And, if you find yourself often in deep weeds, it just might be a heart issue and the good news is our Heavenly Father specializes in heart issues.  He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne 

Posted in forgiveness, gratitude, life, Scripture, thankful

HELP!

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace.”  Romans 6:14

It’s always drives me nuts.  For as long as I can remember, I have had to deal with allergies.  From the days of running the woods in Northeast Florida as a kid to now, stuff in the air drives me bonkers.  I can well remember the days in my early twenties when the only weapon I had to fight the battle with was some nose spray.  And the crazy part of that was if you use it too often and too long, it actually makes matters worse.

In the earlier days, my main issue was the fall.  There is this crazy plant called ragweed and when it starts to bloom, I start to suffer.  We are talking itchy eyes, clogged nasal passages, and a sneeze that sounds like a chihuahua wound too tight chasing their tail.  Oh, and I don’t sneeze once—try six to eight times. 

About a zillion years ago, I discovered something called Flonase that changed my life.  It is a nasal steroid that tricks your nose and eyes into believing that there is nothing in the air.  It was a game changer and I have used it probably for 40 years or more.  Wow, it sure made fall easier.  I might still have some symptoms but at least it is tolerable. Well, about five years ago, something happened.  I started having the same symptoms in the spring too.  They weren’t as bad, and the Flonase keeps everything in balance.  All that was true until this year.

As spring began to spring, my allergies started acting up, first in a little way and then in a big way.  Today they are acting in a “you’ve got to be kidding me” way.  So, when I started sounding like an overactive chihuahua I just start using my medicine.  For some reason, this spring, it didn’t work like before.  Now for the last couple of days, I have been sneezing and my eyes have been itching like crazy.  I tried the over-the-counter stuff, and we made a little progress but so far, well, we are still at war.

All of this is so crazy.  Some stuff from some plant is doing something to the lining of my sinuses causing them to go nuts and I end up in misery.  I mean, first, I did nothing to the stinking plants and second, what’s up with my hypersensitive sinuses.  Something that I can’t even see is making me miserable.  I know, I should think positive but when you want to take your eyeballs out so you can scratch them better, it is hard to be positive.  And then I know you aren’t supposed to put your fingers in your eyes, but it feels so good to scratch them.  Oh, my goodness.

You know, I wonder what if sin (you know the things that God says we shouldn’t do) was as irritating as whatever it is that is driving me nuts?  What if it bothered me to the point that I would do anything to stop?  I do believe my life would be better…I know my life would be better.  But the problem with sin is the fact we like it way too much.  For many of us, it’s like the satisfaction I feel when I scratch my eyes or sneeze for the eighth time.  It feels better…it feels good.  But mark this down.  There are consequences.

Sneeze eight times with your eyes closed while driving and you end up running a red light or running into a ditch.  Bummer.  Scratch your eyes too often and you end up with an eye infection or scratching something like whatever it is that makes your eyes work in the first place.  Regardless—you end up in a mess. The best thing is to head to the eye doctor for some stronger medicine.

It is the same way with this sin thing.  We need to call the sin doctor and that would be Jesus.  He knows all about sin—how to beat it—how to subdue it, and how to avoid all those nasty consequences.  He died so that sin wouldn’t win, and He is more than willing to help us, if we ask.  His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sin but He also gives us victory over the sneezing and itchy eyes part of sin—the day-to-day messiness of sin.  He gives us sin relief and I love that.

Paul, one of the main writers of the New Testament part of the Bible, says that sin (along with all its messy consequences) does not have to rule over us—because we are not under the “thou shalt not’s” but under grace—God’s unlimited and unmerited favor.  And because of that, sin doesn’t have free reign, you know, like too many sneezes and itchy eyes.  That sounds like good news to me.

Just know that if you hear something that sounds like an overactive chihuahua or see some guy with red eyes, don’t worry it is probably just me going nuts.  But remember, and this is the take-away, there is Someone who can handle your sin issues and that Someone is Jesus.  He loves you a lot—so much He died for you.  And whatever your issue is, you can take this to the bank, He’s got this, too.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in food, forgiveness, life, Scripture, spiritual battles

The Stain Remains

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Matthew 5:29

Despite my best efforts…it happened.  This isn’t a story about one event…or two…or even three.  It is a story about a reoccurring thing in my life…and probably in yours.  So, imagine with me.  You are having dinner and it is one of your favorites—spaghetti! You have on a favorite shirt or blouse and it is one of your favorite colors.  So, something tells you that you should change shirts but you don’t but you do make a conscious decision to be careful and it works—till it doesn’t.

You are careful not to slurp the noodles, you are careful to lean over your plate but alas you look down and there, on your favorite shirt you see several freckles of reddish-orange. The dreaded spaghetti sauce has somehow found its way not to your mouth but to your shirt. Bummer.  You jump from the table and immediately head to the kitchen sink and arm yourself with a damp dishcloth and some Dawn dishwashing soap. After all, everyone knows from the television commercials that Dawn can do anything…even save the life of a small duckling.

You careful begin to rub the spots and slowly the they get lighter and lighter—until they don’t. On no, in spite of your best efforts, your favorite shirt now have some light reddish-orange freckles.  The sauce is gone but it has left a cotton-picking stain and no amount of scrubbing or rubbing is going to change the outcome. No amount of repentance about not changing the shirt before you started dinner was going to change this.  The stain remained.

And do you know what?  What is true about shirts and spaghetti is true about us and our lives.  You know what I mean—we are faced with a choice and we choose poorly.  We say we are sorry, both to God and whoever else it impacts, but the stain remains.  We say something to someone, the kind of words that are better left unspoken, and we watch as the hurt spreads across their face. We apologize but they know and you know that while forgiveness is granted, the stain will remain.

If we are wise, and let’s be honest, sometimes we are not, we would do well to think before we speak.  We would be wise enough to take whatever action necessary to avoid the whole mess—and the stain that will remain.  They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that is so, so true.  Jesus said, “So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Yeah, I know, drastic right?  But remember this is spoken by someone who understood the seriousness of sin—who would later die on a cross to pay for yours…and mine.

So the next time you are sitting down for a nice spaghetti dinner, remember this plate of Grits and change your shirt.  Oh, and the next time you are about make a bad choice remember that the stain, the consequences, will remain.  The good news is if you still splatter the shirt of your life, His grace is gonna be sufficient.  He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in communication, fear, friends, life, Scripture

Do You Trust Me?

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.” Psalm 37:23

It seems so easy…but it’s just not. In the Disney movie Aladdin, the central figure named Aladdin (bet you saw that one coming) and the beautiful young princess are in a difficult situation.  Options are limited because the bad guys are just about to win the day–grab her and jail him.  He reaches out his hand, looks her in the eye and says, “Do you trust me?”

Well, you’ve probably seen the movie a dozen times, but the bottom line is she does, they escape, and eventually live happily ever after.  But not before one more precarious situation, one more extended hand and one more time the all-important question asked, “Do you trust me?”  She does.  She extends her hand and well, you know.

Times like these times help us begin to understand just how difficult it might have been for these two fictitious characters.  To not trust meant certain disaster. To trust meant risk.  It’s a hard call–well especially in the movie because Aladdin wasn’t some dashing, super strong, super-hero but a, gulp, “street rat,” a nobody, from the wrong side of town.

But what about us–what about our plot–our uncertainty.  Well, there is an extended hand and there is that all important question, “Do you trust Me?”  But that’s where things change.  The hand extended to us doesn’t belong to a “street rat” but rather to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  It belongs to the One who speaks and a billion stars begin to twinkle. And the one on the receiving end?  Oh, that would be us–the one He calls son, daughter, child of mine.

I love Psalm 37:24. Speaking of God and us, it says, “Though they [that would be us] stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.” Never fall, never perish, never. Let that soak in.  The word picture is that of a person—perhaps a small child or maybe a frail senior adult—who has lost their footing and consequently is on their way down to certain pain and suffering.  Then, at the last minute, the hand reaches down and takes hold, and they are saved.

That has to be what caused the prophet Habakkuk 3:17-18 to say, “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”

It’s not a hard call really.  I mean He’s all powerful and loves us like no prince has ever loved his princess…cares for us more than any husband his bride.  He has a perfect track record. Never fails…no, not once. Regardless of how scary the days were or may become, He is bigger, He is stronger, and He can be trusted. So, listen carefully today. Tune out or turn down the volume of a screeching world and you will probably hear a soft whisper saying, “Do you trust Me?”  And look with Spirit eyes and you might even see a hand extended.  You don’t even need to try and take hold for He’s got you and yes, He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in Family, Integrity, life, Scripture, thankful

He’s Got My Back

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “So Jesus said to the Twelve, “You don’t want to go away too, do you?” Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:67-68

Well, I was surprised…in fact, just an inch shy of shocked.  My wife Judy and I own a home at 217 West Poplar Street. With the home came a three-car garage…imagine that.  Well, on top of the three-car garage is a two-bedroom apartment. Now truth be told, we weren’t looking for that when we bought 217…it kinda came with the deal and it really wasn’t a big deal to us.  To make a long story shorter, back in 2008 we decided to spruce up the apartment.  We weren’t really using it but since we owned it…it seemed logical. So, we put on a new roof and replaced the windows. Both were badly needed.

Those aren’t the kind of improvements people get really excited about but in our case, it turned out to be a good idea.  You see, in 2016, Judy got the idea to open an Airbnb in the apartment. I was more than skeptical because, after all, no one comes to Harrisburg…a small Illinois town perched on the edge of nowhere.  She pressed on and I ended up eating crow…several times. She proceeded to turn that apartment into an incredible space, and I discovered people do indeed come to Harrisburg…lots of people.  You see that thing I saw as “nowhere” is near the Shawnee National Forest and is great for those who love the outdoors.  So, thanks to Judy we now have a nice business sitting in our backyard.  

Recently Judy came in the house and said that we had a problem with one of our replacement windows at the Apartment.  She said that the lower glass was cloudy.  Hmmm.  That didn’t sound good in fact it sounded expensive.  I went over and checked the window, and it indeed was hazy to say the least. I was pretty sure that we had purchased the windows from a company called, “Window World” and I knew they advertised a lifetime warranty.  So, I checked and sure enough found a brand tag that said, “Comfort World” which I thought might be connected and a serial number.  Armed with, “What do I have to lose?” I found the phone number for the nearest Window World office and called.

Soon, a nice lady was on the line, and I explained that I thought I had one of their products and it had an issue.  She asked my address and phone number and quickly said, “Yes sir, you did purchase it from us.”  She then asked for the serial number and then asked was it the upper or lower window and I said the lower.  Now get ready.  Are you sitting down?  Without asking what was wrong; without asking how it happened; without anything she said, “Mr. Taylor, I will get a replacement ordered for you and it will be in between three and four weeks.”  I was surprised…in fact, I was almost shocked. Keep in mind the purchase was made in 2008. Amazing.

With no hoopla, without making me stand on my head, without any fanfare, she simply took care of the situation and just like that, it was done.  Before I ended the conversation, I just had to tell her how pleased I was with their customer service and the way they honored their warranty.  You know, and I know, most of the time a warranty is worthless, and the customer service makes you feel like a criminal for even asking.  Wow. I quickly became an even bigger Window World fan. Why would I go anywhere else?

In case you’re wondering, that’s what drew me to God all those years ago.  He made all these incredible promises and even gave it to me in writing.  It is called the Bible.  For me, that was decades ago, and I am glad to let you know He has kept every promise and He has never, and I mean never, failed to keep His Word.  I have failed Him so many times but in spite of that, He never packs up and leaves and never goes out of business.  Regardless of the circumstances, He is always an “I love you and I want to help you” kind of God.  Like Window World, why would I go anywhere else?

One day, Jesus asked His disciples that very question.  A gaggle of people had decided to stop listening and stop following and He simply said to His boys, “Are you going to leave Me too?”  It was Peter who said, “Where would we go?  You alone have the Words of life.”  Peter was saying, “No way Jesus.  We may not understand everything you do but for us…you are the only game in town.”  And do you know what?  He was right.

Well, like I said, when it comes to windows, Window World is the place for me.  I know that they mean what they say.  They will be there…regardless.  And when it comes to this life and eternal life, there is only one answer for me and that is Jesus. No matter what, no matter how hard, no matter if I throw a baseball through the window of my life, I know one thing.  He’s got this.  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in food, forgiveness, gratitude, life, Scripture, thankful

Five Guys…REVISIT

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

It was the same but different. So, if you are a regular Grits reader, you probably recall I ran a story not too long about a place named “Five Guys Burgers and Fries.” It is about a burger place (no surprise there) but more than that it was about the lavishness of their portions. I mean the burger is great, the fries are great and the milk shakes–well they are great too. But the most amazing thing is you can order a small burger, a small fry and a regular milkshake and have enough food to feed most of West Africa. It is pretty amazing. Because of their portions, the price was reasonable…until it wasn’t.

So on a recent trip to Valdosta, my wife Judy’s hometown, we were shopping for a place to have lunch. Our “go to” place, a buffet that serves southern cooking, had fallen from grace. For some reason it just wasn’t as good as it used to be. Bummer. Well, out of desperation, I told Judy we would give it one more try but fate intervened. As we were driving, she said, “Hey, there’s a five guys.” Well, shoot that thang!” I whipped into the parking lot and the next thing I knew we were getting ready to order. But, wait, something had changed.

What was that something? Well, it wasn’t the burgers and all the free toppings, it wasn’t the size of the fries nor the milkshake. It was–the prices–they had taken a giant leap up. Here’s the skinny. We ordered two small burgers–one cheese, one regular. After asking if they still poured on the fries and receiving a mostly yes answer, we ordered one small fry. Finally, after seeing the price of the fries settled on two free glasses of water. Now, let’s go over the order. Two small burgers, one small fry and two glasses of free water. That came to a grand total of just over, get ready, hang on, wait a minute–$28.00. 

Well, the truth is I was a bit shocked, even my dear unshakable wife was a bit shocked. Well, the burger was still good, the fries were still good but I’m pretty sure they were not $28.00 good. The best tasting thing was the free water. Gulp! I almost felt like I needed to visit the loan department at my local back before visiting again. One of the signs on the wall boasted that they were voted a great family value. Uh, that had to be before they raised their prices. The bottom line is I love Five Guys–but not that much. I think Steak and Shake just got promoted.

I’m sure glad that there is one place I can go and never have to worry about sticker shock. There is one place where the price has never increased–never has, never will. That place is God’s place. He loved us enough to send His Son to pay for our sins so we would never have to. He is more lavish than Five Guys and everything is free. Forgiveness? Free. Love? Free. Peace? Free. Mercy?  Free. Heaven? Free. Acceptance? Free. Well, you get the picture. What a great God–free, free, free.

So, you might want to still try Five Guys but you might need to visit your bank first. But here’s the great news. You can visit our Heavenly Father where your money isn’t needed.  All you need is faith to believe that what He says it true. He loves you and invites you to His table of grace and it is guaranteed to satisfy your soul. Oh, be sure and took for the sign on the wall that says, “I’ve got this.”  Bro. Dewayne

Posted in birthday, communication, friends, Grace, life, loving others, Scripture, thankful

Happy Birthday Grits

Posted on by Dewayne Taylor

 “Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds.” Matthew 13:34

Well – what an adventure!  It was a Friday morning in March of 2020 and the beginning of the COVID pandemic that caused me to sit down one morning and write a short post on Facebook. I intended it to be a one and done deal and was simply meant to be an encouragement. I wrote it and posted it…and then, something happened.  For whatever reason it touched a chord with people who followed my Facebook page and many readers responded.  And, with that random act, Grits with Grace was born.

We made a permanent home for Grits in May of 2020 on WordPress with a new address, www.gritswithgrace.com . The website archives all the stories and has a great search engine if you are looking for a particular subject. It also has some valuable statistics…that remind us how the God’s Word never comes back void. As of March 2026, the WordPress website has 535 followers (people who currently follow our site), and 813 followers on Facebook. Amazingly, over 23,000 people have stopped and taken a peek at gritswithgrace.com. Wow!

We find it very exciting that some are following us in other countries, China, Singapore, India, and the Philippines.

I thought you might want to read the very first Grits again. If so, the next few paragraphs contain that first story.  If not, I’ll just meet you at the bottom of the page.  

A Word of Encouragement

The story is told of a Christian lady who had cancer.  Her pastor went to see, encourage, and pray with her.  Towards the end of the visit, her pastor asked if he could pray with and for her.  Her response was, “yes, of course.”  That wasn’t surprising.  What happened next was.

When he asked how he should pray, her response was totally unexpected.  He assumed it would be for healing but instead she said, “Pastor, pray that I would not waste this suffering.”  Waste this suffering.

She was wise enough to know that the God she believed in was sovereign, was in control and was a kind, merciful and loving God.  She also knew that He was wise and that this had been allowed into her life for a purpose–His purpose.

God’s word says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

I admit I’m baffled by a lot of what is happening around me.  Just when I think I can’t be surprised…I am.  But I’m not baffled about God.  He is working in our circumstances to bring glory to His name and strengthen our faith.

So, God has this.  He isn’t asking us to understand…He is only asking us to trust Him.  And believe me…He has a track record of always getting it right.  God bless you today…trust Him…He’s got this.

Well, that is where it all started. The last six years my wife Judy and I have been honored to share our lives and our stories with all of you.  We honestly don’t have an accurate idea of how many people take the time to read Grits each day, but we do know that we are grateful for all of them. The stories have been as varied as life itself.  We have written about everything from the “Underwear Fairy” to a mean goose in our city park we named, “Bubba.”  Hopefully, many made you smile, and some might have made you cry.  I know there were times when tears slid down my cheeks as I wrote.

You know, Jesus loved to tell stories and He told a lot of them.  Maybe that is why I love Grits so much—it teaches the way He did. All the stories for the last 2,190 days have had a truth that can be applied to life and very often that truth centered around just how much Creator God loves us, His creation.  Oh, and we have learned that no matter how big or how small the problem or the circumstance, we can know for certain that, “He’s got this.”

I’ve wondered exactly how long Grits will be around.  Well, I suppose the answer is this.  As long as there is a story to tell and a friend who enjoys reading it, I will keep pressing the keys. So, once again, thank you so much for reading and sharing Grits with your family, friends, and neighbors. And let’s always remember that no matter how difficult the circumstance, “He’s got this.”  Bro. Dewayne