Family – Page 96 – Grits with Grace

Family, fear, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, Scripture, sovereignty of God, Trials

Freedom Day

Posted on June 14, 2021June 12, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.” Psalm 126:1-2a

I woke up and realized it wasn’t a dream. I remember last year the rumor was confirmed. Our school system was shutting down for two weeks as a preventive measure against COVID -19. Our church leadership met and decided to show support for the community we would also dismiss services for the next two weeks. Little did we know that eventually we would be shut down for ten weeks. Those ten weeks seemed like eternity and included Easter and Mother’s Day. It seemed we were locked down and locked up…and it would never end.

Soon, mandated by the state government, nonessential stores were ordered to close. Restaurants were ordered to close. Soon shelves in grocery stores were bare of some items and a roll of toilet paper was like gold. In the early days, our area was virtually unscathed by the virus but the reality of a new normal was very real. Schools were closed for a long period and something called “on-line learning” became an everyday, everywhere, deal. It seemed we were forced and destined for not only a new normalcy but a very different one.

Soon masks were the big topic…and divider. Whether they should be required or not divided families, friends, neighbors, and churches. At first it was something that was mandated, but not really enforced however soon it was. While stores used to have signs that said, “No shoes and shirt…no service” it became, “No mask, no entry.” Something that was very foreign (no pun intended) to us because an everyday topic. Many were confused, angry, and discouraged. Would this thing ever end? Would things ever be the way they were? A few nodded yes, but most shook their head no. Like a sour love story, we might learn to comply, but we would never love it.

This spring, a year after it started, things began to change…a new wind was blowing and it was bringing hope. States began easing or removing restrictions, the virus began retreating and the promise of life without “Thou Must or Thou Can’t” advanced…flooding in like desert rain on the drylands. And then last Friday, June 11, in one of the most restrictive states in the nation, freedom day came. Last Friday, Illinois finally became an open state—and it was like a dream come true. On a much smaller scale, it was like the children of Israel finally leaving Egypt. They were free and yes, we are free.

Like the children of Israel, we too will now face some choices. Are we going to hold onto the fear of last year or let it go? Are we going to let what divided us still do so? Are we going to hold onto grudges and remain a divided people? The choice is ours. We can let the past lay in the past, learning what we need to learn, or we can run forward embracing what lies ahead. I hope we will run forward. I hope we will remember and understand that God was faithful, is faithful and will be faithful, no matter what next week or next year holds. The future is in His hands…and that is a good thing.

So, last Friday, I told my wife Judy that it was Freedom Day…a reason and a cause to celebrate. I will not seek division, I will not be a part of the past, I am running forward, and I hope you will join me. The book of Psalms, found in the Jewish and Christian scriptures says, “When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. They said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.

We.Are.Glad. Be sure today and do three things. First, if you are a Jesus follower…be sure and thank Him for guiding us and bringing us out of this past year or so. Second, celebrate what He has done. Throw a party of sorts. We’ve waited for it…now celebrate it. Third, remember. Remember those who suffered and lost during the COVID time. For many, those sixteen months or more, are very painful…share and feel their pain and remember that in some parts of the world, bondage continues. And while you are remembering, remember this. In March of 2020 I wrote the first blog for Grits and I closed it with the words, “He’s got this.” Well, He did, He does, and He will. Bro. Dewayne

Family, gratitude, life, love, loving others, missions, prayer, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel

June 12th

Posted on June 11, 2021June 10, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!” 1 Chronicles 16:34 (ESV)

I wonder if one day is really enough. It was in 1863 when President Lincoln decided that we needed to have a defined day of Thanksgiving. So, the final Thursday in November was so designated. Later, on October 31, 1939, and strictly for business reasons, Franklin Roosevelt redesignated it as the next to last Thursday in November and since then that has been the day we celebrate Thanksgiving. But wait, it isn’t November, and in fact, it is nowhere near November, so what gives?

Well, what gives is June 12th. You see, I graduated from high school on June 8, 1972 and the following Monday, June 12th, I left for basic training in the United States Air Force. It wasn’t a matter of strategic planning but rather a slight misunderstanding. A friend suggested we join together under what was called, “The Buddy Plan.” Two guys could join together, go through basic together and then be assigned together for their first assignment. Well, we agreed, I signed up and he didn’t. But here’s the deal. I am absolutely certain that God sovereignly planned that for my good and His glory.

It turned out the Air Force was a good move for me. It taught me dozens if not hundreds of life disciplines that have served me well all of my life. God used the Air Force to position me to meet my wife Judy and then to teach us how to pick up and move when an authority said too. For us, and between the Air Force and God, that included a year in Georgia, three years in Germany, six years in Missouri and finally 35 years in Illinois. We learned to go when and where we were told, and we learned to trust. It also helped us forge a strong marriage that has seen us through 45 years of adventures.

It turned out that God was also using the Air Force to prepare me for the real purpose of my life—our lives together—the pastorate. Strangely, but really not, it was also on another June 12th, this one in 1983, that I was ordained into the gospel ministry. And because God has a great sense of humor, I found myself pastoring a church with, well to be blunt, no training whatsoever. I well remember I was filling in at a church when they asked me to be their pastor. I told them I didn’t know how to do that. They replied, “Don’t worry, we will teach you.” And do you know what? They did.

The game changer was the fact I was trained as an administrative specialist in the Air Force and when God spoke to my heart with a new set of “orders,” I was prepared. Twelve years of administration were like twelve years of on-the-job training for the pastorate. I learned to write, research, organize and manage an office. When I stepped out of the Air Force and into a church office, I was strangely at home. Of course, nothing could prepare me for what has sometimes been a wild ride of pastoring a church. It has been a journey, a glorious, “you’ve got to be kidding me,” ride.

As I glance in the rearview mirror of my life, I am overwhelmed with the incredible goodness of God and that has led me to this conclusion—one day is not enough. We need Thanksgiving but even more we need to celebrate, “Thanks-living.” As you can probably guess, Thanks-living is understanding the importance of living a life that celebrates the goodness of God every day. Someone said that there are two ways to live life—nothing is a miracle or everything is a miracle. I’ll take the latter. Also, I think the heart of those brief words speak to being grateful too. Everywhere, everyday there is something to be grateful for.

So, tomorrow, is a special day for me and Judy. Even though she wasn’t there for the first June 12th, she was there for the second and every one since. She has been my best friend, my ministry partner and my cohort in our many adventures. I thank God for her, our family, and the countless folks we have met along the way. The Bible tells us to, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!” I think that is a pretty awesome idea. I don’t know what the years ahead hold, but if it is anything like the past, it’s gonna be a great ride and of course, no matter what, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, missions, prayer, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel, Trials, wisdom

Sleepy Lions

Posted on June 10, 2021June 9, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

We found him sleeping in the grass. Sound asleep. A while back I had the privilege of going to Uganda and visiting with Watoto ministries. The trip allowed me to see the incredible work of Watoto up front and personal. They work with orphaned babies and children as well as single mothers. They raise the kids to become Christian leaders and help the mothers provide for their families.

Part of the trip involved us going to Northern Uganda to see the work there. It also gave us the opportunity to take a one-day safari. A safari gives you the opportunity to see animals in the wild. You are on their turf and their terms. We saw a large variety of animals but there was one we all wanted to see. The lion. It is like the holy grail of safaris–to see the “king of the jungle.”

Our guide that day just happened to be one of park rangers, so he had access to areas others did not. So off we went. Before long there was a report of a lion sleeping in a tree. We went cross country and before long, bam, there was a lion…sound asleep. Well, it was pretty incredible–asleep or not. We snapped about a hundred pictures of our sleeping friend and moved on.

We drove for about 30 minutes and another report came of a group of lions about 50 yards off the road. Our guide, the ranger, told the driver to drive though the ditch and he did. Sure enough, there were the lions. There were about five or six of these magnificent beasts–all sound asleep. What is up with lions and sleeping?

Well, it turns out that lions sleep 20 hours a day. They hunt, eat and sleep. That’s about it. Our driver gets to within five or six feet of the sleeping feline. Our guide shouts, the driver honks the horn and nothing. And then he does something totally unexpected. He throws water on the lion.

What? Excuse me? Well, the king of the jungle, who turned out to be a queen, sits up, yawns and looks at us. Hmmm…this lion thing is not what it is cracked up to be. You would be tempted to think that every lion was like this lion. That would be a mistake.

You see, there are some nasty lions out there and they would like to invite you to lunch. Lions are vicious predators and will eat you. I’ve watched enough National Geographic shows to know that not all lions are created equal. I also know this. Not all lions live in Africa. In fact, there is one who lives close–very close. He doesn’t have a mane or a tail, but he does have an appetite. His name isn’t Mufasa or Simba. It is Satan.

The Bible, in 1 Peter 5:8, says this, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” On the safari we stayed alert looking for a lion. In this case we need to stay alert because the lion is looking for us. And guess what? He’s looking for lunch.

Peter said Satan is like a roaring lion. If you’ve studied lions a bit, you know that a lion doesn’t roar when its stalking prey. A lion roars for two different reasons. One, he is declaring his dominance. He is claiming his territory. This is mine. He also roars to invite others to join his pride. The devil does both.

Satan is always roaring saying “this is mine and that is mine” but nothing is truly his. Nothing. It belongs to a much larger, much stronger Lion–the Lion of Judea. Satan is a liar–remember that. He wouldn’t know the truth if it stared him in the face. No pun intended.

He is also looking for others to join his pride. He is looking for people who are discouraged and disheartened with life and with God and inviting them to join him. Joining him is a big mistake. He is a loser, and he knows it. That is why he is roaring so loudly. His time is limited and he wants to take as many with him as he can.

Now if you are a believer, Satan can’t steal your salvation, but he can steal your peace, your character, your witness, your family, your integrity–well the list goes on and on. That is why Peter said, “Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” Peter knew from experience just how good Satan is at taking what is not rightfully his.

Jesus said in John 10:10 “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.” That’s the enemy but Jesus isn’t done speaking. He goes on to say, “I have come to give you life and life more abundantly.” He is saying, “if you trust Me, the Lion of Judah, you can rest in Me. I’m never asleep and I’m never out-gunned. I’ve got this.” And, He does. Bro. Dewayne

Family, Grace, gratitude, life, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful

Herbert

Posted on June 9, 2021June 8, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

The Lord directs the steps of the Godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” Psalm 37:23

It stands tall. When we moved to 217 West Poplar Street our yard was a blank slate. The house had sat empty for more than a few years and while someone made sure the grass was cut, no one cared if it was beautiful. When my wife Judy came…all that began to change. Somewhere along her journey she acquired what can only be described as a green thumb. She has a way with plants that causes them to grow…to succeed. What was once a blank slate is now a garden, lush and green, with many kinds of plants, trees, and flowers.

Her style, though planned, is not one that is starchy or stiff. The flowers and plants are allowed to grow freely…to multiply. While there are times when pruning has to be done and digging has to occur, largely they are allowed to “bloom where they are planted.” The best example of that is Herbert the tree. I need to tell you that I just named the tree Herbert. I thought it might add more human interest to the story. Anyway, several years ago, a maple tree began to grow in one of our flower beds. Now, honestly, that usually doesn’t end well for the tree. But this one, well, somehow the story turned out differently.

Herbert started growing too close to the fence in our front yard. I can say with certainty that he was probably cut down a couple of times and each time he came back. So finally, somehow, we decided to let him grow—and he did. Time gets away from us all and it may be longer than I think, but I think Herbert is now about five years old. He has grown from a little maple sapling into a 25-30 foot tall tree. He was planted by nature, but it was our decision to let him grow…to bloom where he was planted. I’m glad we did.

Herbert is now big enough to provide some shade in our front yard and he also adds depth and dimension to our yard and now, for the first time, when I rake leaves in the fall, at least some of them are mine and not my neighbor’s. Somehow that is satisfying. A friend says I should have cut Herbert down a long time ago…you know, wrong place. But I told him that we were going to give him a chance. While the place nature put him isn’t the best, he is a constant reminder to us to grow, to flourish, wherever God plants us.

Our life has been a series of great adventures. While some folks choose to grow in the same community all of their lives and maybe live in the same house…well, ours has been different. It really wasn’t us making the call…I believe it was a sovereign God working and planning what He thought best for us. Our path isn’t your path, but it was the one that God chose for us. One of the writers of the Jewish hymnbook in what we call the Old Testament said, “The Lord directs the steps of the Godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” In other words, life, and especially the life of someone who follows Jesus, isn’t a series of accidents and circumstances but rather the handiwork of a Master Gardener. And for those Jesus followers, well that Master Gardener just happens to be their Dearest Daddy.

So, when you drive by our house on Poplar Street take a look at Herbert. He lives by the alley and by the fence on the East side of our front yard. Notice that he is closer to the fence than he should be but also remember that he is simply, “blooming where he was planted.” It seems to be working out well for Herbert and guess what? It seems to work out well for us humans too. Regardless of where you’ve been planted and regardless of the soil—just keep trusting the Master Gardner…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, Grace, gratitude, life, Scripture, travel, Trials, wisdom

Joy in the Journey

Posted on June 4, 2021June 3, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

It just depends. My wife Judy and I recently returned from a trip out west. It was a trip that would involve flying and driving. It was also a trip with one purpose…to get away, to relax, to enjoy. It is not uncommon for us to take a trip and encounter some less than perfect weather. We have learned to say, “Oh well, at least we are still away.” Away…that’s a good thing. You see, the purpose of a journey can often determine the success of the journey. Set your sights too high and too narrow and you will often find frustration and stress.

Let me explain. The first leg of our journey was simple…get to Colorado as quickly as possible. Because that was the goal…we flew. Also, because that was the goal every delay caused me to have a stressful moment. Long check-in, stress. Long security, frustration. Flight delay, double both. You see, the point was to get there…not to enjoy the journey. When I was much younger, just the thought of getting to fly was exciting. I would always ask for the window seat so I could watch the world go by. The joy was the journey, but now, alas, it is just a means to get somewhere, and the wonder and joy have slipped away.

Leg two of the journey was different. It was a hybrid of experiences. Renting a new and different car to drive, driving in a new part of the world, and going at a pace that better enabled me to enjoy it. Usually. But honestly, there was still a battle to be fought…an alligator to be wrestled to the earth. I had to determine if the destination was the goal…or was it the journey? I mean I know that there is always a destination but if that becomes obsessive, the joy quickly slips away. It was my call—enjoy the journey or race to the destination.

You see, if I am racing to the destination, then put me on an interstate highway where the roads are wide, and the speed limit is high. Out in Wyoming, the speed limit on the interstate was 80 mph…Katie bar the door. Oh, and those long, straight two-lane roads—yup, 75 mph. That fit my destination minded mindset just fine, thank you. But then there were the times that we were in the Rocky Mountains on a curvy, mountain road just driving. There really wasn’t a place we had to be—we were just driving and that changed everything. If there was a slower driver in front…that was fine. We would just sit back and enjoy the scenery as it slid by the windows. The journey was the destination and joy was the result.

But here is what I discovered. As soon as there was a “gotta be there” destination and mindset then that same road and that same slow driver became a stress point. The only thing that changed was the pressure to get there. That same scenery was an ignored blur as the only thing that mattered was looking for a passing zone so I could get there—wherever there happened to be. The end of the day often told the story—tired and stressed or refreshed and blessed—the way I traveled seemed to make all the difference.

There will always be a destination to get to and there will always be slower drivers and unexpected obstacles to keep us from getting there, but joy in the journey changes everything. Jesus knew that His destination was a Roman cross, but He never let the that stop Him from enjoying the day and loving those around Him. He loved the joy of the journey. I can just imagine Him smiling as He changed the life of a leper or blessed a small child…all joy in the journey. Paul, one of the guys who wrote a large part of the New Testament, said, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” In other words have joy in the journey…no matter what that journey looks like. He did that really well.

So, when you find yourself on a winding, two-lane road, enjoy the journey. Take a moment to watch the beauty around you slide by the windows. See what God has allowed to come into your world that day and the destination will come soon enough. And when you find yourself backed into a rushed corner, there’s a couple of things you can do. First, plan a little better when you can and then use that extra time to talk to the Father about that day or maybe relax in Him because, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Military memories, prayer, priorities, Scripture, thankful, travel, Trials, USA

Heroes

Posted on June 3, 2021June 2, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13

Years later, it still tugs at my heart. I’m not sure how I found my way there, but I was grateful. During my assignment in Sembach, Germany we had the opportunity to see so much. From Hitler’s hideaway called “The Eagle’s Nest” in Berchtesgaden to the windmills of Holland to the Alps of Switzerland we were constantly amazed at what was all around us. But nothing prepared me for Luxembourg.

We had some friends that we had known in our days at Moody Air Force Base in South Georgia. They received orders to Germany several months before we did. They were only a couple of hours from us so we saw each other pretty frequently. It must have been during one of our forays that we came to it—Luxembourg American Cemetery. It was one of the most hollowed sights I have ever seen.

There, in the cemetery, are 5,075 white Lasa marble crosses and stars of David. Row after row of headstones that mark the final resting place of American heroes. Each one made the ultimate sacrifice for us, for you and me, that we can live in freedom. General George Patton is buried there. Two Medal of Honor recipients are also buried there: David G. Turner and William D. McGee. Twenty-two sets of brothers lay buried side by side throughout the cemetery. Some, 371 in fact, were never found. They are simply listed as missing in action. 102 are just unknown.

This place of honor was established on December 29, 1944. Many of the soldiers died during the Battle of the Bulge…Hitler’s last push to turn the tide of the war in Germany’s favor. It failed but it came at great cost to the Allied forces. It was a harsh winter and because of the urgency of the times many were sent to fight with little or no winter gear. The desperate Germans showed little mercy to those taken prisoner. And, all this occurred just nine months, nine months, before the war ended. So many had survived D-Day and countless days of combat only to make the ultimate sacrifice months before the grand reunion with family.

Heroes. It is a word we throw around lightly these days. In a world where everyone gets a trophy we are in danger of losing the value of this incredible word. Hero. Dictionary.com defines it as “a person noted for courageous acts.” Oxford says it is a person who is admired or idealized for courage. Webster defines it as an illustrious warrior or one who shows great courage. Another place said it is a person who at great danger to themselves puts others first.

I went to Toys-R-Us one time and there they had several aisles of super hero stuff. As I turned the corner a sign caught my eye. It simply said, “Real Heroes.” Along that aisle were the soldiers and sailor figures as well as police, firemen, and other emergency responders. If I went to that aisle today it would have to include doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. Real heroes…real people putting others first at peril to themselves.

But there would be one missing. Jesus Christ, the Hero of Heaven, who willingly, who bravely, gave Himself to a Roman cross that men, women and children could be free. The cross was so horrible it was called the death of deaths. It was so horrible it was illegal to crucify a Roman citizen. And yet…He went. Why? He loved me. He loved you.

Amazingly it was not for some of us but all of us. Skin color, economic station, language, nationality, capacity to be bad or good doesn’t matter. The Bible simply says, “He came to seek and save that which was lost.” It simply says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” It simply says He is not willing for any to perish but all to come home. Anyone—I like anyone. Anyone who acknowledges their need for a rescue will find one in Jesus. And this Hero not only does a meet and greet, He invites you to join His family. How about that!

So when you hear the national anthem, place your hand over your heart as a salute to those who paid the price for our freedom. When you see a veteran, thank them for his or her service and sacrifice. When you walk through a cemetery with your kids, point out the graves of the men and women who served and tell them why they are so special. And when you talk to the Hero of Heaven next time, thank Him for forgiving your sin. Thank Him for always being there. Thank Him for giving you a place to rest. And, thank Him for having this….because He does. Bro. Dewayne

Family, Grace, life, Scripture, thankful, travel, Trials

Your Expected Wait Time

Posted on June 2, 2021June 1, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Warning…whining ahead. Ok, I just wanted to give you a heads up that I am about to whine. It really isn’t my fault. I think I was born with it…wired with it. While most babies cried, I whined. If the milk wasn’t quite the right temperature…I didn’t cry…I whined. If it was a quarter past a diaper change…you guessed, I whined. And if someone failed to realize just how precious I was…whine, whine, whine. I am so good at it I believe it must be some kind of gift. I know the Bible talks about people having a special gift from God so who knows…maybe there is a whining gift. People sometimes say you shouldn’t whine but that is probably because they are jealous. Whining is an art, a talent but there is a problem. Nobody seems to appreciate a good whiner. Someone even gave me a little plaque to hang in my office. It simply says, “Thou shalt not whine.” Imagine that.

I try to be a good steward of my whining gift and save it for very, special occasions, but the problem is, to me everything day is special and almost every situation an opportunity to practice my gift. But tonight, tonight it is valid. Tonight, I have the right to whine…and I have. Here’s why. So, a couple of months ago, my wife Judy and I planned our fall vacation and decided to go back to Fort Myers, Florida. It just sounded like a good idea.

We began to make all the appropriate reservations and arrangements. Car rental…check. Places to stay…check. Plane tickets…check. Yup…we were all set. And then it happened. The airline, which I won’t name but whose name starts with a D and ends with an A decided to change our flight schedule. Hmmm.

We always fly in and out of Evansville because it is so convenient. As close as it is, it is still about an hour and a half from where we live to the airport. We had arranged for the return flight to land in the early afternoon. This is especially important since as a pastor I am supposed to speak the next morning. It’s always good to have a cushion…just in case. Anyway, here comes the email. Surprise, surprise, surprise…we have changed your flight from landing at 4:40pm in the afternoon to 9:09pm (yawn) in the evening. Add an hour and a half drive and it makes 5:00 am come pretty fast.

So, I checked and found out there was indeed a flight that landed at 4:40 pm and there were indeed seats available. I decided to call the airlines and ask them to fix the problem. I dialed the number and the chirpy voice on the recording assured me that I was a valuable customer (I even had a special number to call) and they would be right with me. The expected wait time was just four hours. I’m not kidding, 4:00 hours. Well, I just knew there had to be another way but after spending an hour trying to find it, I realized there was not one. Not an email solution, not a wish, or a prayer…nothing, nada. If I wanted to talk to the nice airline, I would have to stay on the line for four hours. Can someone say crazy?

Well, rather than stay on the line for four hours (yawn) I decided to spend the time writing a story about it. I just know all of you out there in grits land will understand and whine with me. I’m not sure how I’m gonna fix the problem, but I assure you it will not involve me holding on the phone for four hours. I can also assure you it will involve an appropriate amount of whining.

Now fortunately, not all customer service is as poor as this. In fact, there is one place where there is no wait, no busy signal and each person is indeed special. And, where would that be…on God’s hotline. I love the fact that my Dearest Daddy is never too busy, never too overwhelmed to take my call. And the best part? He always makes the right call—pun intended. He is too kind to be mean and too wise to make a mistake. Even when His way doesn’t match my way, I am sure that it is the best way. I guess I could ask Him for patience, but I hear the training program for that involves six hour hold times. Yikes!

Well, I feel better now. Thanks for reading and understanding. Who knows, all this might work out for my good…actually, I’m sure it will. I mean the Bible says, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose,” and I suppose that includes long holds on the phone. Someone (and that would be me) tells everyone that will listen, “He’s got this” and I believe that He does. I even believe that includes airlines with four hour hold times. How about that. God bless you! Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, gratitude, life, thankful, travel

Confused?

Posted on June 1, 2021May 31, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.” Romans 15:4

It’s just a little confusing. After attending yesterday’s Memorial Day service and doing a little yard work, my wife and I decided to go to Paducah, Kentucky to look around for a couple of chairs or perhaps a small sofa to complete a project we have been working on at home. So, we loaded up and headed south across the river to the land of grits. And the point of this story all began with traveling. You see, we did a lot of traveling this past week or so. We had flown to Denver and then driven a thousand miles or so in Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota. We saw a lot of things and some of them were simply beautiful. The mountains and canyons are spectacular. We also saw some things that were hard. We saw some extreme poverty as some folks tried to eke out a living in the barren desert hills and valleys of Wyoming. We saw the results of a wildfire that ravaged a large portion of the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Those were hard. But some things there and closer to home were just confusing.

The confusing part was what to do with that 4×6 piece of cloth or paper we now know as a face mask. We used to only see them on the evening news and donned by folks in other countries such as China. And then, suddenly, ready or not, they became a part of our lives. And now…it is mask or no mask? Flying, there was no doubt about the mask. When you stepped in the airport it was required…and then you didn’t take it off till you, like Elvis, left the building. They were very adamant about it—threatening arrest, jail time, and the loss of your first born if you didn’t comply. I guess all that was fine, but it seems to me, they didn’t have to act so mad about it.

Once we left the airport, it was a whole different world. Regardless of where we went or to what state we traveled, the mask requirement weren’t a deal. I mean, that is really good news. We have all heard from all kinds of sources that the COVID thing, while not gone, is in full blown retreat. I just wish someone would have told the airport folks too. As we traveled, whether it was to a gas station down the street ,or to a National Park…no mask. One restaurant proudly posted that, “following the CDC and Colorado Guidelines you are welcome NOT to wear a mask.” That was followed by something like, “unless you want to.” That made me smile. Want to? Really?

Well, anyway, that was the way it was throughout the states we visited out west. Now back to Paduach. We stopped at a local business there. Walking to the door we realized that we had forgotten we were back in the Midwest, and I didn’t have a mask. I told Judy we will just have to see. When we got to the door, sure enough, it was plastered with signs about wearing a mask. We went on in and asked the nice lady at the door if masks were required. She told me that they were asking people to wear one and I told her I had forgotten mine…did she have one? She said they did, and I slipped one on. I asked her when their governor was going to “open the state” and she said, “Oh, that doesn’t matter, our company is the one making the rules.” What? See what I mean about confusing? And, to make matters worse, virtually every person in the store was mask-less. I wore mine for a while and then reverse peer pressure took over and I took it off.

By now you have got to be wondering what this story is about! Me, too. No, not really. All of this was just a gentle reminder for me to be grateful for the Bible…the Word of God. Though written over 1,500 years by a bunch of different writers, it has stood the test of time. It is as solid today as it was a couple of thousand years ago. It is refreshing to know that God won’t change His mind and issue a revision tomorrow, next month, or next year. It is refreshing to know that He got His Word right the first time. In a world where no one seems to know what is right or wrong…the Bible hasn’t changed and personally, I like that surety.

Paul, one of those writers I told you about, was writing a letter to some Jesus followers in Rome. It was during the time when being a follower of Jesus could cost you your life. Speaking about the scriptures, he said, “For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.” In other words, God gave us His Word to help us along this journey called life and to encourage us too. That is good news. If you haven’t read it in a while, you might want to check it out for yourself. You might be pleasantly surprised. It has sure been a help to me…especially during these confusing COVID days. It was there that I learned the great truth I close with each time we meet. Here it is…are you ready? “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Memorial Day, Military memories, Southern born, thankful, USA

Thank You, Mr. Charles

Posted on May 31, 2021May 30, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

It’s the way it ought to be. This Memorial Day weekend found my wife and I on the road again. That’s a good thing. Last year, as we all know, was a year with most travel shut down for a chunk of the year. It was almost refreshing to spend time again waiting in line as hundreds of other travelers rediscovered the freedom to travel this great land. It was busy because the COVID threat is thankfully in retreat, but it is also Memorial Day weekend…the traditional start of summer. Smile.

As we were waiting to board, the announcer person at the desk announced that the boarding process would be starting in just a few minutes. She let us know that there was going to be a “pecking” order for boarding. Those with special needs and little children were allowed to board first, followed by the people who were what they called “Sky Priority” and what I would call, “the blessed.” That group included the “First Class” folks as well as those in business class. They would all be followed by the normal people in the main cabin. But there was one more group of people who received special treatment…and boy, did they deserve it.

Right behind the people with special needs and small children came this announcement, “Those individuals on active duty in the United States Armed Forces are invited to board now.” Yup…that’s right. Delta did it right. They gave special honor to those serving their country and the reason was simple…they deserved it. And they don’t do it just on Memorial Day weekend—they do it all the time—because they deserve it all the time. Every day, but especially today, we have the opportunity to do what Delta does on every flight—honor those who are serving our country. And we can take it one step farther—we can honor those who have served. I know that is normally reserved for Veteran’s Day, but can we thank them enough for all they have done for all of us?

My wife stumbled upon a story on Facebook that struck especially close to home…literally. We contacted them and received permission to share their post. It goes like this, “When Mr. Charles & Ms. Debbie, with C.D. Ives logging company, were working on clearing trees at a job site north of Naylor in Lanier County, Georgia, between GA Highway 135 & U.S. Highway 221, Mr. Charles noticed the A-10s from Moody Air Force Base would regularly fly over where he was clearing trees; sometimes they would get so close he could easily make out the pilot in the cockpit!”

“He figured since he could see them, maybe they’d be able to see a message letting them know his appreciation for what they do, using only what he had on hand at his job site: trees! Mr. Charles positioned them to spell out “THANKS USAF,” painting them in red, white, & blue paint so they stand out a little better.” The author went on to say, “Hopefully, the pilots have been able to catch a glimpse of this “Thank You” from Mr. Charles & Ms. Debbie as they fly over!”
(credit: 05.30.21 The Georgia Photography Fanatic, https://www.facebook.com/thegeorgiaphotographyfanatic)

I can only add, how appropriate and how thoughtful.

Like I said, it strikes close to home. You see, Judy was raised right there in that South Georgia area and me, well, I spent four years stationed at Moody Air Force Base myself and yes, it was there that I met Judy and we began our life together. I am grateful that Mr. Charles took it upon himself to honor those pilots at Moody and I hope they got the message. But the question is this, “What can we do right now, today, to honor those who paid the ultimate price and for those who served or are serving?”

Well, there will be multiple opportunities. Maybe your community will have a Memorial Day service or parade today. Why not attend? Why not take your children and let them experience the honor afforded those who gave their life that we could be free? Why not visit a local cemetery and look for graves that mark the deceased as a member of the armed forces? Why not stop and say thanks to someone you know who served their country in one of the armed forces? Why not thank God for your freedom and their sacrifice? Why not make a point today to find a way to say, “Thank-you?”

One of the most powerful love verses in the Bible says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” The Book makes it clear that those who die for another or even those willing to die for others are worthy of our honor and respect. So, let’s all enjoy the time with family and friends today. Have a burger and a dog but make it a priority to remember what it is all about—honoring those who laid their life on the line that we could be free. Remembering their sacrifice and remembering the awesome love and power of our great God will also help us remember that no matter what, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Military memories, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

It’s A Dippity-Do Dah Day

Posted on May 28, 2021May 25, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.” 1 John 1:6

Hi Grits family. Hey, Judy and I are out of pocket today, so we are giving you the opportunity to revisit some of our favorites. So, God bless, enjoy and we will see you soon.

Dippity-do dah, dippy day, my oh my, what a wonderful day. I joined the Air Force back in 1972 and in so many ways it was a different world. At that time longer hair was still very much in vogue. It seemed the only guys with shorter haircuts were either born in the 1920’s or in the military. I was the latter.

It was also a different day in the way people viewed the military. The country was coming out of the Vietnam era and sadly many saw veterans and the active military in a dark light. I can well remember walking around town and getting the “one of those” looks. While I was never ashamed of being in the military, in fact, I was proud to serve, I did want to be cool—part of the in-crowd and short hair just wasn’t in. But you know the old saying, “Where there is a will, there is a way.” Hello Dippity-do.

It’s funny, I don’t remember anyone else doing it nor do I remember how I started. I found this hair stuff called, “Dippity-do.” It was a gel-like product and depending on how much you applied, it would make your hair stay where you put it. So I bought a jar and slowly I let the hair on the top of my head and sides grow out. I would wakeup in the morning and put this stuff, in fact a lot of this stuff, on my hair. I would comb it kinda on top of my head and toward the back. The effect was—well, effective. The funny part is when this stuff dried out it made my hair as solid as a rock. Of course, my mom always said I had a hard head.

I found that I could have the required white-wall around my ears and have all this hair glued down to the top of my head. When I got off work, I would go take a shower, wash this stuff out and believe it or not have enough hair to totally cover my ears. I looked like any other guy in the early 1970’s. Even as I write this I’m saying, “What?” But believe me it worked. I looked like a military guy during the day and a regular off-the-street guy at night. Looking back, it was weird.

Even stranger I worked in the command section of my squadron and to show how effective my ruse was, no one said anything. It looked, and I guess was, regulation. I remember one day walking in the local mall and coming straight toward me was my squadron commander, Major Hobbs. We passed within five feet of each other and he didn’t even recognize me. Yup—G.I. Joe by day and a 70’s hipster at night. Looking back there probably was a word for it. It was probably pretty hypocritical.

The word hypocrite means to “play the part” or to “wear the mask.” It was used to describe actors in ancient Greece who were one thing on stage and another off the stage. The one thing I remember is that I always felt a certain amount of fear while doing this. There was always the “what if I get called in and don’t have time to plaster my hair down” thing. What if my commander and my first sergeant saw me and did recognize me? I knew they respected me and what would happen to that respect? It’s the feeling you get when you are one thing one time and another thing later.

Well, finally I figured it wasn’t worth it and I’ll tell you that story another time, but the bottom line is I went and got a regular haircut. Two things happened almost immediately. First, I felt free. The fear of the wrong person seeing me at the wrong time was suddenly gone. It was like a weight was taken off my shoulders. The second thing that happened was I discovered that in spite of what the culture said, I was proud to be in the Air Force and that haircut identified me as part of a special family and team. It wasn’t something to be ashamed of…it was something to be proud of. And the best part, the girl I was dating, who I later married, thought I was even cuter. Now for the funny part. I have been out of the military now for 36 years and I never, not even once, grew my hair out. I decided I like shorter hair. More than that…I decided I like being real.

So, what about you? What is it in your life where you “wear the mask?” What is it in your life where you have decided to pretend—to be something you aren’t? While we find that in every aspect of life, sadly it’s also common in the Jesus follower world. People say one thing and do another—people who act one way on Sunday and another the rest of week. If I learned anything from my Dippity-do world is that authenticity beats a plastic mask every time.

John, one of the guys who followed Jesus in the Bible, said it pretty well. He said, “If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.” In other words, if we say we are one thing and really are another—we are just living a lie. It is better to be real than fake. It is better to be authentic than counterfeit. I may have fooled my commander that day but I never fool God when I choose to be one thing in public and another in private. But the one thing I love about God is that He never rejects me. He is never ashamed to call me His child. I can always rest in Him and more than that, He can handle who I am—Dippity-do and all. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne