food – Page 13 – Grits with Grace

Family, food, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, priorities, Scripture, Trials

Patience 101 – Repeating the Class

Posted on February 23, 2022February 22, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.” Ecclesiastes 7:8

And I thought I was just going out to eat! Just a couple of weeks ago, a couple of good friends invited my wife Judy and I to go out and eat. It sounded like a special gig. A restaurant located in a small town, oh, about 15 miles from our small town, had invited a renowned chef to come in and cook that evening. My friend had received an invitation right from the owner’s lips to come and experience it and he invited us. Now I am not much of a gourmet nor is gourmet food my deal. To ring my bell, all you need to do is serve up some meat and mashed potatoes and another starch or two and I’m in. Even so, it was chance to spend some time with these good friends…so we made a date.

They said they would make some reservations which for Southern Illinois is kinda unusual. All we SI people do is show up and eat. But I can be partial to reservations…especially if it keeps me from waiting. So, with the idea this was a special thing for a small group of special people and with the safeguard of reservations, I was looking forward to our Friday night gig. Oh, and a bonus was the fact this was Friday night of Valentine’s weekend and Judy said this could count as “date night.” Sweet. Can’t fail. In the bag. And then…the school bell rang.

As we drove from our small town to the other small town, the car was filled with chatty talk. Nice and easy…just the way I like it. As we approached the restaurant, I noticed there were quite a few cars but that wasn’t totally unusual. It was when we got to the door that usual went out the window. The small foyer, the area around the check-in stand and the restaurant was packed to the gills. At that brief moment, my countenance may have sagged just a little. But since we had reservations…it was no deal. And then the school bell rang.

One of my friends checked us in and came back with the news—forty-five minutes to an hour. Wait. What? I said, “But don’t we have reservations?” Well, no. It turns out only parties of eight can get those cherished promises of a quicker sit-down. So, that is how God enrolled me, once again, into the school of patience. So, there I sat in the small foyer with what seemed like a thousand other people. Some were there to enjoy the gourmet chef, and some were there for a fish dinner. It didn’t matter. I was in the school of patience. My Dearest Daddy knew I had some learning to do in the patience department and He had enrolled me.

Well, our time in class turned into about two and half hours and when we finally ate almost all of the gourmet food was gone and I had a hamburger…which by the way was just fine with me. At the end of the evening, an unseen hand handed me my test. There at the top of the page was a well-earned, unqualified, no doubt about it—F. Yup I had failed again. And the bad news is, this is required curriculum…which meant there would be other classes…other opportunities…for me to learn and get tested. Rats. I should have studied more. I should have prepared more. I should have done something or anything, but I didn’t. Class dismissed. See you next time, pal.

Now with all that said, it was a good evening. I still got to be with my wife and friends. I did occasionally smile and engage in conversation. Oh, and the burger was really pretty good and, wait for it, my friend paid the tab. I think he did it out of sympathy and compassion. Regardless, it was kind. So, when we got home, I sat down and relaxed, confessed my failing grade to my Father and vowed to do better. We will see. We will see. This is one area that this Jesus journeyman is a little slow to learn and God ain’t gonna let it go. Solomon, one of the smart guys from the Old Testament Bible said, “Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.” Boy, he hit that one on the head. Looking back, I should have remembered, I should have believed that thing that I write every time I write, “He’s got this,” because…He does. Bro. Dewayne

Family, food, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, priorities, Scripture, Southern born

Poached Eggs. Really?

Posted on February 18, 2022February 17, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:16

Poached eggs. For some reason they have never made it on my list of favorite things. It could be the name. When something is poached it usually means it was taken by some illegal means. Well, now that I think of it…maybe the name does fit. To me, unless it was Easter or Momma was making egg salad sandwiches, eggs were cooked in grease not water. I can vaguely remember something about my mom cracking an egg and dropping it into some water…no wait, maybe that was teabags. At any rate, the thought of eating an egg that had just been floated around in some water like a jelly fish never, ever, crossed my mind. Grease and eggs…eggs and grease…a match made in heaven.

However, interestingly enough, not everyone is like me. One of my best buds actually likes poached eggs. Of course, you must take in consideration that he also likes sugar on his grits. But anyway, you read it right–he really likes them. So, we were having this discussion about how to cook eggs (don’t all guys have those discussions?) and his passion for poached eggs boiled to the top–no pun intended. So how did he become such a fan of poached eggs? Well, here’s the deal.

It turns out that his grandmother was a really big fan of poached eggs. Anytime he (or another family member) went to her house, it was time for poached eggs. Over and over again, “Hey, you want me to cook you a poached egg?” That standard answer was, “No Grandma, that’s ok.” Apparently, she was insistent because the standard answer was, “Sure you do, let me whip one up for you.” And, before long, a nice, wiggly kinda cooked egg was sitting before him. Well, before long he was sorta, kinda brain washed and before long he was hooked. Now that I think about it, I wonder if he had an aunt that liked sugar on her grits? Hmmm.

So, the long and short of it is, all these years later–he still likes poached eggs. Truth is, if it wasn’t for Grandma’s passion, he wouldn’t be such a fan–but her passion became one of his. That really says a lot about influence and legacy. You see, we are all influencers…whether it is food, habits, or speech. I know Judy and I, being from the South, don’t press buttons…we mash them. Wonder where that came from? We don’t give people a ride to the store, we “carry” them. Oh, and no I don’t eat sugar on my grits…and apparently neither did my relatives.

You know that passion thing is true about eggs, but it is also true about God. It seems that things that we are passionate about are the things that end up in the lives of those around us…especially those closest to us. The bottom line is what we are passionate about is contagious. The more passionate we are about God the more likely it will be caught by someone else. It might be our kids, grandkids, or the guy next door but our faith should be highly contagious. Someone once said, “our faith is more easily caught than taught.” There is so much truth in that.

The truth is, I don’t know how you like your eggs–but it just might be similar to the way your momma or daddy liked them. Let’s be so passionate about God and our faith that someone can’t be around us without being infected–uh, make that affected! Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” In other words, make sure that what we do and how we do it, reflects favorably on you…but most importantly, on God. I’m sure God is not a fan of poached eggs, but I do know He is a fan of yours. Don’t worry, He’s got this…poached or not. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, food, forgiveness, friends, Grace, life, prayer, priorities, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Warning Signs

Posted on February 15, 2022February 14, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” Proverbs 27:12

This is the kind of story I don’t like writing. Since some of you know me and some of you don’t, I’ll start by saying that I have issues. Yup…and more than one. With that said, this story is about my health issues. All my life I have had this battle with my weight. Although people say I wear it well, I pack more baggage than I need to carry on this trip called life. Consequently, most of the time I am either on the way up…or on the way down. That’s just the way it is. And honestly, it is all about—sugar.

You see, I love snacks, and, I love sweet snacks. Now I’m not talking about candy though I’m not saying I would turn down a Butterfinger. No, I like the baked stuff and I am an equal opportunities eater. Pies, cakes, donuts, cookies, brownies, cinnamon rolls—if it is baked and sweet—count me in. To help counter the calories, I do try and exercise—at least some. In fact, at the beginning of 2021 I managed to walk a couple of miles a day, five and six times a week for months. Yay for me…but then something happened. However, and whatever the cause, sometime in late fall I quit and when I quit—it happened. The flat-out truth is I started gaining girth like a snowball going downhill.

Well, I did what any self-respecting foodaholic does—I just quit getting on the scale and, oh yes, I quit checking my blood sugar too. Did I mention that I am a diabetic? Did you also know that donuts, cake, pie, cookies, and brownies don’t go with diabetes? But don’t worry, I’m not a severe diabetic. That’s another way you quit doing the right thing. You simply justify your behavior. A guy said this week that justifying is “just a lying.” Ouch.

I was a recipe, no pun intended, for disaster. I could tell I wasn’t doing well. I could feel my body saying, “Excuse me.” After binge eating on whatever was sweet one recent Sunday, I got on the scale on Monday. Holy moly. I also checked my blood sugar on Monday. Holy moly the second time. Good grief. I was so frustrated with myself. I didn’t even have to ask; how did it happen? I knew…all too well. In fact, a friend asked me what I did to end up there. I told him the answer was, “What didn’t I do?”

Here’s the deal. You know those red lights and crossing guards at railroad crossings? Do you know the consequences when you ignore them? Well, I ignored the lights and the crossing guard and the easiest way to do that was just quit—quit weighing and quit sticking your finger. Anybody can tell you the truth of this. To start down the wrong path just STOP doing the things that help you be accountable. Maybe, your AA meetings. Maybe your exercise. Maybe going to church. Maybe reading your Bible. Well, the list goes on and on.

I stumbled on a really, good verse in the book of Proverbs. It says a wise person will see danger and take cover. A foolish (or inexperienced) person will see the same danger and keep right on going. That’s a good verse. No, that’s a great verse. What about you, what is it in your life right now that you can see the red lights flashing and the crossing guard down? More importantly, what are going to do with it? Trust me…it is really important. You see that decision will determine your regrets and consequences. Remember that “holy moly” moment I wrote about? Yup, that’s the deal.

The answer is simple. Stop saying tomorrow and start today. There’s a saying I just love—when you are tempted to stop, just remember why you started. I know I’m only just started but already I can feel and see a difference. When I visit my doctor again in about three months, I hope we can have a different conversation than the one we had recently. I am grateful that my body still responds to doing the right things. And for me it is relatively easy…at least with these two things. But trust me there are other things that are a daily battle.

The good news is I have Someone who stays by my side…as the Bible says, a friend closer than a brother. Who would that be? My Dearest Daddy. He is for me and never against me. He has things planned for me that are too good to miss. I know this season of COVID has messed with our spiritual stuff badly. But I hope you will make the decision, today, to “get back on the scale.” Your Heavenly Father will be there to help. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, food, forgiveness, friends, gratitude, life, prayer, priorities, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

Chatting With the Father

Posted on February 11, 2022February 8, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19:12

“What was that, again?” Last week we had a winter storm. Though it wasn’t as nasty as they said it was going to be it was still more than enough to warrant staying off the roads and in the house. Turns out, it was a two day in the house deal. Well, we had an invitation to go eat dinner with a couple on Friday night, but it looked like the weather was going to nix that. Another good friend was invited to go and frankly, I was disappointed when it looked like it wasn’t going to happen. She wasn’t sure the roads would be safe. I mean, this was one of those good invites…great friends and great food. So, my wife Judy and I were thrilled when she called and said it looked like the roads were going to be clear enough…so Friday night we were off and running.

Judy sat up front and I was in the backseat. Our friend owns one of those Toyota off road things…you know, the kind that would be at home in a safari in Africa so trust me the roads were not going to stop us. I told her we should go four-wheeling before the night was over. Smile. So, anyway, soon we were on our way. Now, her vehicle may be made to conquer Africa, but it is not made for conversation…especially for those in the backseat. I was content to just ride but several times a question or something came from the front seat, directed my way. The result was a “Huh,” or a “What?”

You see, first, I do have some hearing loss. There are some frequencies that I hear perfect and some that I just don’t. Usually, questions from my wife fall in the latter category. Second, her Africa eating vehicle had those tires that like to sing…loudly. Third, there was a pretty good portion of wind noise and finally, I was in the back seat, and they were in the front seat facing away from me. The bottom line, there wasn’t going to be a lot of conversation…at least not any that involved me. It was true going…and it was true coming home. All that was fine by me except when it was a question requiring an answer and then well, we were back to the “Huh,” and “What’s.” I must confess it was just a hair frustrating.

I wasn’t surprised…with that much interference a person with good hearing would probably have struggled. You put enough interference out there and nobody can hear anything. That is true with people and wait for it, it is equally true with God. I believe in prayer…not the wish list kind but the kind where I get to know God better. I believe in prayer…the kind where I can chat with my Dearest Daddy. No, it is not formal, but it is respectful. The one thing I forget too often is that it is a conversation, going both ways. I do the part of me speaking very well…I just don’t do the part of me listening as well. Sometimes I forget that He probably has more to say to me than I do to Him. How interesting.

Another thing is that interference thing. Just like my experience in my friend’s “over the river and through the woods” vehicle, so too often there is plenty of interference between me and my Father. Yesterday’s sin and failures, today’s plans and worries about tomorrow all tend to speak loudly in my mind and heart and if I am not careful…drown out His voice. You see God often is more of a whisperer than a shouter and trust me His whispers are worth hearing. One time, He was talking with one of His prophets. There were all kind of big things going on, a fierce wind, fire, and earthquake and yet God didn’t speak through those…instead, He whispered.

So let me encourage you to take the time to get away, get quiet and get still. When you get there have a chat…not filled with big and flowery words but words from a sincere heart spoken directly to a Dearest Father who loves you more than you can imagine. Then be sure and give Him a moment or two speak into the conversation. Listen carefully for He might speak softly. He will whisper His love and probably just assure you that, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, food, gratitude, Integrity, life, loving others, prayer, priorities, Scripture, thankful

“Eat Mor Chikin”

Posted on December 17, 2021December 16, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

It should be every church’s goal. Y’all know I am partial to food. We have been friends for a long time. I think I was probably one of those kids that was born with a craving for homemade mac and cheese with fried chicken. “Hey mom, can we skip the milk and go straight for the grease and carbs?” Yup, sounds like me. One of my favorite fast-food places is Chick-fil-A. Have you ever noticed something unusual about this place? Well, let me help you…there is always a line. Period.

It seems that no matter what time you go by to grab your chicken fix, people are lined up and being served. If you have ever been to one, you also know it is a very unusual place. First, the food is really good. Their chicken, mac and cheese, milk shakes, waffle fries—even their salads are off the scale. Now about their salads…I have to take that on word of mouth since I avoid anything green! Every time I see the commercial for their creamy mac and cheese, I start drooling. One day, when the line isn’t insanely long, I’m going to get some. But the bottom line is that they make sure they have something to sell and they sell lots.

However, the really big thing…even bigger than their food…is their service. I have never seen a friendlier team of employees. Every person who works for them seems to be genuinely glad to work there and genuinely glad that I stopped in. Every time I have stopped, I have felt like I was the most important customer in the place. One time at a Chick-fil-A at the airport the person who waited on me wasn’t quite up to par, but truth be known they are still far and above most places. And, it doesn’t stop there.

Remember I mentioned those long lines? It is just amazing how organized they are in processing their customer’s orders. In the drive thru, they have employees out in the parking lot taking orders even before the customers get to the window. They value their customer’s time and prove it by making sure they don’t have to wait any longer than absolutely necessary. By the way, it is a Christian based company and a lot of their business principles are straight from the Bible. People first. And, have you noticed that they choose to be closed on Sundays? Do you know why? God first. Love God…love people.

All of this caused me to wonder something. What if, we, the Church, did business like Chick-fil-A? What if we “marketed” our message like they market their products? What we have to offer is the best news ever—the Gospel or Good News that broken people can be healed—that forgiveness is available for any man, woman or child who is willing to place their trust in what Jesus has done. I mean that is valuable. Chick-fil-A believes in their product, but do we really believe in ours? I think we should.

What if every person who came through our doors felt like they were the most important person in the building? What is every person felt they were valued—both by God and by the church regulars? You can take it to the bank that God indeed values every person regardless of race, social status, or sin list. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should be redeemed. It says it in the Book. Perhaps the most important working team (think committee) in the church is the hospitality team. Their job—to make every person feel welcomed, accepted, and wanted. Yup…that would work.

Well, I do like a good chicken sandwich and a good helping of mac and cheese, but I love the way these folks do business. I do think it should be the goal of every local church to love God…love people and make it obvious that is what we are about. The God we serve is worthy of more than “good enough”…He deserves our very best. Why? Because He gave His very best for us. He is for us and through Him anything and everything within His will and purpose is possible. In these days we have an opportunity to show off our love for God and others. It can happen…it should happen…because He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, food, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Cooking Lesson 101

Posted on December 8, 2021December 6, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7

It looked like a chocolate mud puddle…or worse. Well, I am a firm believer that God wires people in different ways. Some people are gifted in music, some in speaking; some are mechanically minded while others are whizzes at math. It is no wonder why the Bible says that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made!”

Now if you are a regular Grits reader you know that I am a “foody.” I am blessed to have a wife who can cook very well. As a pastor at a church, one of my favorite things is when we decide to have a potluck. A potluck is when all the families bring a dish or two or three and we all share. At my church, a potluck doesn’t involve luck at all—you know it is good to be good. I guess I appreciate good cooks so much because I am not one. If cooking is a gift, I was in the wrong line when the gifts were distributed. Let me explain.

One day I decided I wanted something sweet to eat. I looked in the pantry and, in the refrigerator, but came up empty handed. I looked in the kitchen cabinets and found several boxed mixes. There were two or three for cakes and one for brownies. As my mind thought of sweet, gooey brownies–it was a done deal. I read the box and found I needed several ingredients–the mix–check; oil–check; water–check and two eggs–uh, no eggs.

I asked Judy what would happen if I skipped the eggs–she simply said— “It won’t work.” She said something about a chemical reaction and the brownies being as flat as a pancake, but my mind had one thought–sweet, gooey brownies. I decided to press forward. In fact, I even added more oil, more water, and some heavy whipping cream just for good measure. After all, doesn’t more make everything better? Who cares if it has nothing to do with brownies?

Well, I put them in the oven and set the timer for about twenty-five minutes. Soon the timer was going off and I opened the door and peeked inside expecting a pan of delicious brownies. What I found was anything but. In fact, it resembled an oil slick…the kind you see when a tanker spills its cargo. It was some sort of goo—I guess a combination of pools of the oil, a black slime in the middle and a hard edge all around. I guess that thing about the chemical reaction was right. Instead of ending up with a nice gooey brownie I ended up with a gooey mess. It turned out that I wasted all those ingredients and twenty-five minutes of electricity.

So, what is the moral of the story? Well, for one there is a reason why there is something called a recipe. Someone smarter than me determined what it takes to make a delicious brownie and they were kind enough to share their wisdom. If the recipe calls for eggs–it needs eggs. I don’t know what the eggs do but I do know it does something important. Someone on the internet suggested you could use Diet Coke instead of eggs. I don’t know if that is true or not and I am not going to try and find out. I’ve learned my lesson. From now on Judy can cook the brownies and I will remain the eater in the family.

Oh, by the way, that following the recipe thing applies to God also. You see, the greatest “cookbook” for a successful and purposeful life is the Bible. It is filled with recipe after recipe for a life that is truly worth living and it all starts with trusting and having faith in God. In the Old Testament part of the Bible, a guy named Jeremiah said, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.” He knew what we need to know…God is reliable.

Oh, and when the Bible says that Jesus is the one essential ingredient to our salvation–it means it. I don’t know if Diet Coke will replace eggs, but I do know nothing can replace Jesus. You can add all the good works you want; add all the church you want and get baptized till you wrinkle but without Jesus—it just won’t work. It is He and He alone that makes salvation possible. All our additions will only make a gooey mess out of salvation. Add the key ingredient and you can’t miss!

Well, for all you brownie lovers out there I hope you learned from my disaster! Just remember, those ingredients are listed and needed for a reason–it won’t work without them. And for each of you who are looking for a full life—one with purpose and peace, don’t forget the key and that is Jesus. Go ahead, ask others and ask Him. You will find He is the real deal. Need a hand in the kitchen of life? Give God a chance. I’ve found that He is always willing and always there. Even when your life looks like a chocolate mud puddle…or worse…you can have the assurance that “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, food, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, thankful, travel

Southern Cuisine – the Real Deal

Posted on December 6, 2021December 5, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

He says, “I am the Lord, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:18b

I discovered the difference between the real deal and everything else. My wife Judy and I traveled south to see family. Since I am still working, she is usually our representative to our southern family. She would make the circuit, sitting and talking and visiting, all of which is right up her alley. But this time…things were different. I decided it was time for me to make time to see family and I am so glad that I did. I was reminded of the value of family and in the process rediscovered the value of good southern cooking. We stayed with two of my sisters and then with one of Judy’s nephew’s and his wife. At each place, queens of southern delights strutted their stuff, but it all came together one beautiful Thursday evening.

First, in Valdosta where she is from and where a bunch of her family lives, there is a family of restaurants that are excellent for two reasons. First, they are all buffets and second, they all specialize in southern cooking. The buffet is a spread of everything southern…fried chicken, ribs (both fried and smoked), fish, pork chops, chicken gizzards and livers, pot roast and the list goes on and on. Then comes the vegetables…field peas, lima beans, baby lima beans, black-eyed peas, collard and turnip greens, cream corn, grits and…well, you get the idea. Judy and I enjoyed it so much we went twice.

Well, that was all good but then came Thursday night. Her family decided to have a mini family reunion of sorts. Now just like my family, her family is blessed with many queens of southern cuisine. I admit I just couldn’t wait to taste what was going to be brought. About thirty relatives showed up and each family brought several dishes. Now imagine with me. Take the list above and double it and you have a fair idea of how much food was there. Now, take what we had at the restaurant, which was really good, and give it a multiplication factor of at least two and maybe three and you begin to understand the Allen family feast. It was beyond delicious—and not just a dish here or there but every dish. I won’t even try to describe the deserts. Wonderful southern food with a wonderful southern family and well, I sure was glad I didn’t miss it.

I did learn something through my southern food experience. You see, I was very content with the restaurant version of southern heaven until I tasted the real deal and all of a sudden, I was reminded of the difference. The real thing made in someone’s kitchen with loving hands and hearts made the restaurant version somewhat of a cheap imitation. Oh, it was good till I had the real thing and then there was no comparison. The real thing trumps anything else every time.

That truth is worth remembering. There are a lot of imitations out there in the world and they will try and make you discontent with the real thing. They will try and steal your heart out of a good marriage or make you discontent and leave relationships that have satisfied for years. Like so many of the commercials today, they wave their plastic happiness and try to convince you that their “something” is better. Don’t believe it—the real deal is better than a plastic substitution no matter how good it looks. And by the way, that is definitely true when it comes to religion and God. Don’t ever be tempted to trade the practice of religion for a God who loves you so much He gave His Son to die for you. Like He said in His Book, “I am the Lord, there is no other.”

I am grateful for my trip south, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn once again about the importance of what is real and what is second place. Never be satisfied with something else when you can have what is real and never trade what is first for what is second. It is always a bad deal.

So, if you are blessed to have some southern relatives and you visit with them, make sure to sit-down with them for supper. Chances are you will discover your own spread of southern delights. And remember to be content and grateful for the spread that God has set before you. He is a good, good Father and, unlike religion, He loves you so, so much and no matter what, you know, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, food, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, prayer, Scripture, Southern born, thankful, Thanksgiving, wisdom

Bring on the Gravy

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

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:7-8

It can make good things better! Thanksgiving is quickly disappearing in the rearview mirror. Especially because of these crazy it was good to get together with family and rejoice and remember. I know from this side of the fence the Taylor cooks are off the scale good. Our menu, at least the one that list the side dishes, is almost set in stone. Mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, strawberry pretzel salad and other salads (the kind that make you like salads), Apple pie…well you get the idea. There is one thing that plays a minor role at our Thanksgiving table…gravy.

Now I am a Southern boy and gravy was a big part of my eating life. Momma would regularly make both brown and white gravies for our supper and they were incredible. I remember one time I was reminded that you can have too much of a good thing. She had cooked a roast and one of the things I loved was to take two slices (one wouldn’t do) of bread and then smother, no drown, the bread in gravy. Well, one time it got me. I guess all the goodness in the gravy was too much and I got sick, real sick to my stomach. It wasn’t pretty.

Momma also made a great giblet gravy at Thanksgiving. She would take all those things that are tucked inside the turkey when you buy it, cut them up in tiny pieces and put them in her gravy. Yup…it was incredible. That’s when I began to learn the value of gravy. It could take the driest dressing (not my Momma’s mind you) and make it the best dressing in the world. It worked even better on leftovers. You go back later that afternoon, fill your plate for round 2 of the feast, warm up the gravy and let her fly. The dressing, the potatoes and the turkey all were reborn with a little gravy.

Gravy also can play the role of redeemer with biscuits. Even the best biscuits are almost always made better with a little help. It might be a smattering of butter or butter and honey or syrup and great becomes greater. By far the greatness soul mate of a biscuit is a flood of good sausage gravy. On my goodness—that combination is its own food group. Any good restaurant that serves breakfast is always sure to include that in its offerings. The bottom line is that gravy makes things better.

I know something else that does the same thing—even more so. That is grace. Grace is when we choose to extend something good to someone they really don’t deserve. It might be an act of kindness, a measure of forgiveness or a kind word or two. As a pastor I know people have extended a measure of grace when they commented on some of my sermons. “Best sermon this year, preacher!” Well, truth be known it wasn’t that good—they were just being graceful.

Now get this. Just like a good gravy can make ordinary or less than extraordinary food taste incredible—grace can do the same thing. Families are stronger, relationships are better, teams at work are more productive when grace gravy is poured all over them. You know the circumstances of these last eighteen months have fractured relationships like crazy. It is dividing families, friends and, yes, churches. I think we need to pour some gravy—some grace—all over it. If we don’t we are going to have some scars that time won’t heal. If that happens and when this thing is all over, we might be able to heal it up but the scars will be forever visible.

If you are a Jesus follower then you should be a grace expert. You know that God extended grace, His unmerited favor, to you and forgave all your failures, sins, and warts. If you understand redemption right you know you didn’t deserve it—He just did it because of His love for broken people. Grace makes the impossible possible. Grace, like a good gravy, can redeem the worse and restore the driest. God talks a whole lot about grace in His Book. I encourage you to Google it and be amazed at grace—God’s grace. It is so amazing they even wrote a song about. Perhaps you’ve heard it—Amazing Grace.

Sometimes when I order at a restaurant I will order my gravy on the side. Let’s be honest—not every place can make good gravy. But when it comes to God’s grace don’t ever get it on the side. Just ask God to pour it on heavy—flood the plate of your life. The Book says that through faith in Jesus we have redemption through His death on the cross. When we believe that, God forgives our sins through His grace which He lavishes on us. Wow and bring on the gravy—bring on the grace. So if your life is like a dry biscuit take a break and ask God to pour on the grace. And if you are overwhelmed because of life and it’s left you like so much dry turkey, ask God to pour on grace and you will soon be revived because…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, food, forgiveness, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Scripture, Southern born, thankful, Trials

Spilt Milk

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

I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37

It gets real hot in North Florida. When I write these stories I always try and remember things that happened in my youth that were either funny or difficult or both. Sometimes though they are just hilarious. When I was about eight years old, my Momma and Daddy were always looking for ways to save a little money. I didn’t know if we were rich or poor and I don’t suppose it mattered. Sometimes it was more obvious but most times it was just life.

I’m not sure how we got started but we began to buy our milk from a family that lived about a mile from where we lived. It wasn’t really a dairy farm it was more like three or four cows. We would go over twice a week and buy a couple of gallons in big half-gallon glass jugs. And let me tell you…this wasn’t the pasteurized stuff we drink today. It was straight from the cow. And one more thing, it was NOT 2%, or 1% or skim milk. No sir, this stuff came fully loaded with milk fat. It was good. We had an old ice cream churn, the kind you had to crank and that milk made the best ice cream you ever tasted. It was always a special day when we went and got milk. And then one day it wasn’t.

We were still driving that old 1957 Plymouth and it was time to get milk. I think Momma was driving and one of my sisters was in the front seat and the other in the back with me. Those were the days before seat belts and rules about kids not sitting in the front seat. In fact in those days the dashboard was made out of metal. Anyway, we got to the home where they sold the milk. Momma paid the lady and I was supposed to carry the milk to the car and carefully put it on the floorboard in the backseat. It was a good plan…almost.

The milk jugs had little handles on the top near the neck of the jug. I picked up the jugs, one in each hand and headed to the car. I put the jugs down on the ground and opened the back door. Then I turned around and picked up one of the jugs and set it on the floorboard. Then I turned around to get the second jug and put it next to the other. You know, next is a nice word. It means close too. Well, I swung that ole jug through the door and well, you might say I got it just a little too close to the other one. There was a sound of glass hitting glass and one of the jugs busted wide open and that nice fresh milk spilled all over the carpeted (remember that) floorboard. Bummer.

Momma came over and of course was upset about the wasted milk. I was too, but you know what they say, “There’s no use crying over spilt milk.” That is true but things were going to get worse before they got better. I suppose we bought another half-gallon of milk and headed for the house. Once there I did my best to clean up the spilt milk. The problem was first there was carpet and then, like they did back then, there was a thick pad underneath the carpet. You could do what you wanted to, but there was no way all that milk was coming out of that carpet and pad.

Remember I told you that it gets real hot in North Florida. Well, by the next morning there was a strange odor in the whole car and it just got worse and worse. By the end of the first day the smell of sour milk made it just about impossible to sit in the car. We already had the windows down because there was no air conditioning but even that didn’t stop the odor. It made it better but when Momma or Daddy hit a stop light, Katie bar the door…it stunk. So for days and days our 1957 Plymouth smelled horrible. I’m pretty sure I was not winning any popularity contests for about the next two weeks. That smell lasted a long after the accident…oh boy did we hate it.

Have you ever broken a jug of milk in your car before? Well, probably not, but let me ask you this. “Have you ever done something wrong, something that hurt someone, something that broke someone’s heart?” You probably know that is really what this story is about. You see when we get all fired up and make some bad choices with big regrets it doesn’t just go away…oh not…it lingers and lingers and lingers. And you know and I know sometimes the scar just stays forever. I know we shouldn’t cry over spilt milk but maybe we should shed a few tears over broken hearts, hearts that we have broken.

I sure wish I had been more careful that day. I know I was just a kid but I was old enough to be careful. My careless behavior caused a big stink and it was a stink we all had to endure. I think we should be more careful with our actions and our words each day. If we would it might save a few hearts and a few big stinks. The Bible says that we will have to give an account for every word and every action that we say or do. Do you know what? If I would have asked, my big sister would have helped me that day…so would Momma but I thought I could handle it. We think that way in life too. Why not ask for a little help from your Heavenly Father before the milk gets spilt? He is always ready to help you carry your milk. Two things are certain…you can count on Him and always, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, food, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Scripture, thankful, Thanksgiving, Trials

Leftovers

Posted on November 26, 2021November 25, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Philippians 3:13

One of the best things about Thanksgiving doesn’t happen on Thanksgiving. Well, let’s be honest, for most of us blessed enough to live here in America it is a day to throw the diet out the window, to loosen the belt a notch, to forget trying to bend over. It is the day after the feast. I know for the Taylor tribe we have perfected the feast to a fine art. Each year there are certain items that just must be on the table. There is the most incredible mac-n-cheese in the world, a sweet potato soufflé, oh, and strawberry pretzel salad. And that is the short list. There is also green bean casserole, rolls, some sort of salad and, well, you get the idea. Even a sampling of the feast will cause your belt to shrink a notch or two. Thanksgiving food…you gotta love it.

But here is the best part. Eventually, probably hours but maybe the next day, there will be a hint of hunger. As full as you feel after the feast, you will get hungry again and that’s when it happens. You can go to the refrigerator and start unloading the leftovers. All that joy from the Thanksgiving feast is reborn right before your eyes. And the amazing part is that some of the dishes taste even better than the first time. A couple of minutes in the microwave will have you smiling just like the day before. And the hits just keep on coming because some, not all mind you, but some will make it for day two.

And then there is the turkey. Mr. Turkey must be related to the cat because it seems to have nine or more lives. After the initial onslaught of Thanksgiving and the day after, there always seems to be more turkey. What should we do? Well, some might be given a quick trip to the freezer, but some will be reborn in a myriad of creative and tasty recipes. Who knows the multitude of ways Mr. Turkey can be reborn in the days following Thanksgiving? You see, in some ways, Thanksgiving is the holiday that just keeps on giving. Just ask your waistline.

I realize that some folks aren’t fans of leftovers. I knew one guy who simply refused to eat them and of course that is every person’s choice. But as for me, I say bring them on. Whether it is a Thanksgiving feast or a leftover burger from some fast-food place, it is all waiting for a second chance to satisfy that hunger pain. Now to be fair, sometimes those leftovers are better left alone. What might have been a crunchy delight one day can be a soggy mess the next, so you must choose your leftovers carefully. Sometimes, it’s better to let that tasty dish go on the first go around.

Do you suppose that is true in life too? You know, our choices and actions can be like those leftovers. Some choices are worth savoring for days, weeks, and months or maybe even a lifetime. Trusting Jesus…now that was a good decision that will last forever. Marrying my wife Judy…check. Forty-five years later and I’m still humming, “We’ve Only Just Begun.” Having kids? That’s a good one too though there have been times in their teen years when I pondered checking the return policy. The truth is all of us, if we look, will discover there are some great leftovers that spill joy into our lives every day.

Truthfully, and painfully, there are some leftovers that still cause our hearts to hurt. A broken relationship left unattended, a harsh word spoken and left hanging without an apology, poor health decisions…yes, there are painful leftovers in every person’s life. While we can’t just make them disappear like fog burning off in the morning, we can do what we can do and that is to seek and receive forgiveness. First, let it start with God. Let Him know how you regret and repent or turn from whatever it was. Then, if an apology is due, give it. Even if the person is no longer around, you can apologize. Maybe write a letter and then burn it. And lastly, we need to forgive ourselves and that, by the way, might be the most difficult thing to do. And then, take the sad leftovers and take them to the trash…where they belong.

I love what Paul the Bible writer said. He said we should forget the past and look forward. He wasn’t saying we should forget because that probably isn’t possible. He was saying we should not allow a past that is forgiven to own us in the present. He was saying we need to get rid of those old, rotten leftovers and that is something we can do. So, savor the good and ditch the regretful. Sound difficult? That’s ok because there is a Dearest Father who will help you. In fact, listen carefully, even now He is whispering, “I’ve got this.” Bro. Dewayne