love – Page 33 – Grits with Grace

Family, fear, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, prayer, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

Happy Birthday Grits!

Posted on March 21, 2022March 20, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

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

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

We made a permanent home for Grits in May of 2020 on WordPress with a new address, www.gritswithgrace.com . The website archives all the stories and has a great search engine if you are looking for a particular subject. It also has some valuable statistics…that remind us how the God’s Word never comes back void. As of March 20, 2022, the website has 361 followers (people who currently follow our site), 94 email subscribers (email every time blog is posted) and 1,995 followers on Facebook. Wow!

We find it very exciting that the top five countries following us in 2021 (12 months) are: USA (7,242), India (250), Ireland (160), United Arab Emirates (154) and the United Kingdom (138). For the first eleven weeks of this year the USA has (1,401), United Arab Emirates (144), United Kingdom (48), Ireland (35), and India (24). We have received some great words of encouragement especially from our friends in the United Kingdom.

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

A Word of Encouragement

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You know, Jesus loved to tell stories and He told a lot of them. Maybe that is why I love Grits so much—it teaches the way He did. All the stories for the last 700 days have had a truth that can be applied to life and very often that truth centered around just how much Creator God loves us, His creation. Oh, and we have learned that no matter how big or how small the problem or the circumstance, we can know for certain that, “He’s got this.”

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

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

Me and Major Hobbs

Posted on March 7, 2022March 6, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

I knew the outcome…I thought. The list of the things I enjoyed while serving in the Air Force is long and varied. Somehow, which I’m sure God arranged, I was assigned to work in the command section at all my duty assignments. It all started when a guy named Master Sergeant Johnson picked me up at the small airport in Minot, North Dakota and casually said, “I think I’m going to let you work for me.” He worked in the command section of the Combat Support Group and so it began. Each new duty assignment found me working for the commanders and first sergeants of each unit. It was awesome. So many of those leaders left their fingerprints on my life and help mold me in the person I am today.

1973 found me assigned to the command section of one of aircraft maintenance squadrons at Moody Air Force Base. My immediate supervisor, the first sergeant and even the commander became friends of sorts—within the parameters of military protocol. All that leads to the point of this story. After joining the service, I learned to play racquetball and loved it. I suppose I was even pretty good at it. Well, my commander, Major Hobbs, also played. Normally, our path probably wouldn’t have crossed at the gym, but this young buck airman kept egging this 20 year my senior, slightly overweight, Major… to play him in racquetball. I assured him that I could take him and then one day, he said, “Ok.”

He told me to get a court time and I did. Now everything assured me that this was going to be a no match…and it was…but not like I thought. On the appointed day and at the appointed time we met to do battle. I was sure I was going to show my commander what a real racquetball player looked like. I served first and I may have made a couple of points. Then, it was his turn, and that is when I began to learn that the race doesn’t always go the swiftest…or the youngest. Major Hobbs would serve and then move to the center of the court and proceeded to beat me like an unwanted tom cat. He virtually didn’t move because he didn’t need to. He totally mastered the ball with his racket and put the ball, almost every time, wherever I wasn’t

Well, a set (win) in racquetball, is three games…if needed. We didn’t need them. He finished me off in two games. One player left the court drenched in sweat and exhausted and one left the court without a drop. One player left the court dragging and exhausted while the other left with a strange bounce in their step. You can probably guess which was which. The young buck airman was taught a good lesson that day and it is one that I still remember today. It is not always about how light on your feet and how fast you can move. Sometimes it is about strategy…how you play the game.

And so, it is with life. A wise man, woman or child will know that you need to have a plan, a strategy if you will, if you are going to win the game of life. And the crazy part is the best strategy doesn’t depend on talent, wealth, or opportunity. It leans, it is driven by – a close relationship with Creator God. Now don’t miss that. Religion is nice, church is a great idea, but neither are the answer—a personal relationship with God through faith in His Son and the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit is. It is a power team of three and yet One. Amazing. With Him calling the shots, well, life just goes better…a lot better. Jesus invites us to come and do life with Him…and that is an invitation we need to accept.

That day, we left the court differently but there was one thing we shared…a smile. The older, wiser Major smiled because he had helped a prideful, young airman learn a lesson in humility. A lesson, honestly, he needed. And the airman, well, he smiled too because someone wiser than him took the time to teach. God really does want to help us do life and honestly, we need Him. Don’t be pushed away by all the hype in religion. Go ahead and schedule some court time with God and you just might discover how much He loves you and wants to help. You might discover that no matter what…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Scripture, Southern born, thankful, Trials

#friends

Posted on March 4, 2022March 3, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

There were times when having a sister was not a bad thing. So, I am the baby of eight kids. Daddy and Momma, probably unintentionally, grouped the kids. There were three older boys, then a girl and a boy, and finally two more girls and me—the object of my parent’s delight—the perfect child. Ok, that is not even close to true but after all, it is my story. Growing up there was not a brother too close to my age, so I was kinda a solo act and too often the object of my sister’s merciless teasing and testing. More often than not…we were at odds. And, of course, they would run to Momma and tell her how bad I was. But she knew better…oh yes, she knew better.

Now with all that said, there were times when having a sister was not a bad thing. When they became teenagers a few years before me, sometimes I got to tag along on dates. Since their boyfriends had their driver’s license, it meant…freedom! Yup, even sisters have advantages. Another of those advantages involved manual labor. You see when I was a kid, one of my responsibilities was to mow the yard. While our yard was good sized, we also had a couple of acres that was just a big open field. Every once in a while, that field had to be mowed. Riding mower? You’ve got to be kidding.

At one time or another, I do remember we had two push mowers. They were nothing special—in fact they were anything but. They were usually lawnmower corpuses that my Daddy had resurrected using spare parts. I particularly remember one that didn’t have an off position on the throttle. The only way to turn it off was to pull off the plug wire. It was this mower that taught me the value of doing something carefully because if you didn’t remove the wire very carefully…well, let’s just say it was a shocking experience!

Well, I’m not whining (no, really) but that was a lot of weeds to mow. So, every once in a while, I would talk one of my sisters into helping and sometimes they would even volunteer. I mean you know how girls…even sisters…are about their figures and what I saw as work they saw as a weight loss plan. Anyway, I would lead with mower number 1 and my sister would follow with mower number 2. It sure helped–both physically and psychologically. Just knowing I wasn’t all alone was really encouraging. Well, I remember the time I was mowing my little heart out thinking my sister was right behind me with mower number 2. Around and around, I went…never looking back…believing that she was still there.

Well, the bottom line is I went and went till I happened to look back only to realize that she had quit, and I was all alone. Instantly the task seemed impossible and the field bigger than ever and I wanted to quit too. The difference: I was alone. At that moment I realized that even though I didn’t always like my sister…I needed her. We may have fussed and fought but when it came to mowing, she was my helper–my partner.

Well, the point is this: we really do need each other…especially in our life journeys, our spiritual journeys, our day-to-day bump into stuff journeys. Having someone we can talk with, someone we can share our burdens with, someone who will pray with us and for us, someone who is slow to judge and quick to love is just invaluable. Someone said, “No man is an island” and that is just the truth. I’m learning that you don’t have to always agree with someone to love that someone…or even like that someone.

Even as a person who values alone time—I know there is value in walking side by side. In the Old Testament part of the Bible, Ecclesiastes 4:9–10, one of the smartest guys ever to live said, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” Well, let me just tell you, I know that is true when you are nine or ten and mowing two acres and it is true today and every day. There is no better best friend than the One who wants to be your Dearest Daddy. He will never leave you alone…never quit. You can trust that “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, Integrity, life, love, loving others, Scripture, Southern born, thankful, Trials

Patrol Boy

Posted on March 1, 2022February 28, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

It was a dream come true. Growing up when I did was a blast. I was born in 1954 (and yes, that was a long time ago) and things were just different. Life was slower, people mattered more, things mattered less, and respect was a big deal. I was raised to call people older than me, sir and ma’am. It’s kinda humorous, but now I am the senior adult and I still call everybody and their brother, “sir.” It was just ingrained in me from my earliest memories.

Back in those days, when you were in the sixth grade you were the king of the mountain. You see in Florida in the early sixties elementary school went from first thru sixth grade. There was no kindergarten. Part of being the king of the mountain was the prospect of being selected to be a “patrol boy.” Now, the first thing you need to know is the term “patrol boy” was a term of respect. Today I think they still have crossing guards but back then…patrol boys were the state police of the day. They had a belt that went around their waist and over their shoulder and of course, the flag. It was a two-piece design that was about five foot long when put together. Oh, I almost forgot. They had a safety helmet too. They definitely looked the part.

At the end of each school day, these brave traffic warriors would be dismissed from class a little early to go and man their assigned post. They would put on their belt and helmet, grab their flag, and head out for duty. Now this was the real deal. A teacher or aide didn’t accompany them. The lives of their peers were in their hands—and they were granted authority to stop traffic. Again, it was an honor and a dream to get that belt, helmet, and flag. The selection process was done at the end of the school year of our fifth grade. I’m not sure what the criteria was, but I do know not everyone got selected.

Ok, let’s be honest. I wanted…I really wanted to be a patrol boy. It was like I was born for it. It was my destiny. I could tell you that I wanted to help save lives. I could tell you that the safety of every kid who crossed at my post was what drove me but that wouldn’t be true. No, I’m afraid it wasn’t quite that noble. I’m afraid it had nothing to do with safety…it had to do with…the belt, the helmet, and the flag. Now don’t laugh, it was a big deal. The uniform has led a lot of guys to sign up for the Marines. I was no different. I wanted people to look at me and say, “There goes a patrol boy. Leader of peers and a hero to boot.”

Well, it happened. I was selected and honestly, it was just about everything I thought it was going to be—at least through my eyes. No one ever called me a hero, nor did I outright save anyone’s life, but there was something about the way it made me…feel. Looking back, I think there is a word for it…pride. You know there is a good pride…the kind that lets you know you did your best. There is also the kind that says, “I’’m a patrol boy and you’re not.” It’s closely related to the kind that says, “I have power and you don’t. You have to listen to me…obey me.” Bummer.

As far as I know, at least from the outside, I did a pretty good job. I received and proudly wore my little pin, which I got to keep at the end of the year that marked my service. No one got ran over on my watch and I think I only got in trouble once. That happened when one of my fellow patrol boys, a friend no less, made me mad and I whacked him with my flag. It certainly wasn’t very hero like and trust me it wasn’t as pretty. Something on the inside—that should have stayed on the inside—oozed out. I realize now that all of us have a tendency to play that game—pretty good on the outside and pretty dingy on the inside. Someone once said you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all of the time.

There should be another saying that says, “You can’t fool God any of the time.” You see, God’s got this “vision thing” that allows Him to see right past the skin and right into our heart. He sees our real thoughts, our real motives, our real selves. It’s been kind of a “go to” verse for me recently but here’s what it says, “The Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at Eliab’s appearance or stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” Wow…that is one scary thought. God sees what matters. We need to remember that.

Well, I enjoyed my year as a patrol boy. The next year I went to junior high and went from the top of the heap to the bottom. In fact, now that I think about there were a couple of guys who did their best to make junior high hard for me. Today we call it bullying. I wonder if it was payback for some misused authority. Hmmmm. What goes around…comes around. Anyway, I’m glad I don’t have just a “patrol boy” watching over me. Nope, I have the King of Kings and that’s pretty awesome! I don’t have a thing to worry about because “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, priorities, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

Les Was More *

Posted on February 28, 2022February 27, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

When He went ashore, He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them.” Mark 6:34a

*Photo credit: used by permission Keith Cotton, keithcotton.com

Simply put…Les was more. I had been the pastor of a church in the village of Cobden located in Southern Illinois. When I went there in 1986, I didn’t know two things. First, this would be my family’s home for the next fourteen years. During that time our lives were bonded with the people of the church and the community in a way that I’m not sure I can describe. Literally, we became family. The memories and relationships of those days remain firmly stamped in our minds and hearts. And, I guess, that is the second thing I didn’t know. So many of the people…young, old, rich and poor, single and married, in the church and out…were so very special. And that leads us to Les.

Cobden had several iconic residents that lived in a local shelter care home. Each one was special and each one was different. But at the top of the heap was Les. I officially met one day when he was walking by our church carrying his sickle. He was old for his age and had more wrinkles than he should. Bent over, he would peer though his squinting eyes and occasionally have a conversation with himself…or maybe God. Anyway, that day, I opened the office door and told Les hello and invited him to come to church. He acknowledged me and asked if I happened to have any coffee. Well, I did and invited him in to have a cup. And that was the beginning.

From that day forward, almost every day, Les would show up at the office and ask, “You wouldn’t happen to have a cup of old, cold coffee, would you.” I can still hear him today. And usually, I could accommodate him. It might be cold and sometimes it was old but to Les it didn’t matter one bit. It wasn’t long before Les started coming to church. Now you would be wrong to assume that Les was a slow thinker. He was anything but that. No, he was just Les and I loved the way our people grew to love him…sickle and all.

One day, at the office, getting his cup of “old, cold, coffee,” he said to me, “I want to be baptized.” Well, that surprised even me. So, I gave him my full attention and explained that to be baptized you needed to believe that Jesus had died for your sins and believe that He was the Son of God. And that wasn’t all. I explained a person needed to be willing to follow Jesus…kinda making Him the new “boss” of their lives. Well, without a moment’s hesitation, Les assured me he understood all of that. So right there, right then, Les became a Jesus follower.

He then circled back to what had started the conversation…he wanted to be baptized. I asked Les if he understood that to be baptized, he would have to go under the water…all the way under the water. I really wasn’t surprised when he said he did. Now Les was one of those fellows that with age and life had become pretty bent over. To look out, Les had to look up. So, I knew this baptism thing might be a bit of a challenge, but I also knew this was going to be special and it was. So, in a couple of weeks, on a Sunday morning, I stood in the baptistry and took Les’ hand as he came down into the water. I can’t remember but I may have called in reinforcements. But, regardless, I smiled as he gently slipped beneath the waters and came up again. And the church…well…it exploded in applause.

Years later, in fact nine years after I had left our friends and family in Cobden, I received a call from the local funeral home there letting me know Les had died. They wanted to know if I would be willing to come back and do the funeral. I assured them it would be an honor. On that day we said goodbye to Les but really it was more of a “see you later.” You see, Les, because of his commitment to follow Jesus had left the shelter care home in Cobden for a new home in heaven. I also knew that he was no longer bent over by age and life…that he could now look out and not have to look up. Now when he looked up it was to see the face of the Man who loved him and died for him.

As we journey through life, we need to realize that all around us are people like Les. Oh, not necessarily because they might live in shelter care, but more because they are just…special. You see, God’s world is filled with special people…all we must do is learn to see them. They might be a guy at the grocery store or the lady who brings the mail. They might be our doctor or the guy on back of the truck that gets our trash. Why not determine, starting today, to see people as God sees people? Jesus did. When He looked at people, and He did that a lot, He saw them as special and had compassion on them…loved them. We all might need a little help in this department, but the good news is, our Dearest Father is just waiting to help. Just ask…because you know, “He’s got this.”

Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, prayer, priorities, Scripture, wisdom

Shiny Keys

Posted on February 25, 2022February 23, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21a

When I entered the room, I saw it for the first time. It’s funny how there are some things right in front of your eyes and you never, ever see them. That happened today. I was up early, and it was Thursday. Thursday is my self-imposed deadline to make sure I am well on my way to have the next week’s Grits well underway. My wife Judy and I have learned that it is better to get a head start on Grits and before that can happen, I must write them. So, Thursday morning, found me at the computer and mashing keys. And then it happened.

I needed to leave my home office for a minute and when I came back into the office, I noticed something. Let me set up the scene. In one corner of my desk, I have a desk lamp. In the middle of the desk, I have my iMac. The keyboard and trackpad sit right in front of it. So, as I came back into the office, the light was reflecting onto my keyboard and that’s when I saw it. I noticed that several, more than a few actually, keys were shiny, and others were dull with their factory matte finish. I backed up a step or two and replayed the scene. Sure enough, some were shiny, and some were flat. How interesting.

Well, a closer look, a closer investigation revealed what I thought would be the case. The shiny keys were those that I used the most. You know, the letters that you would find over and over again in any writing. Some other keys were somewhere in the middle. While the matte finish wasn’t worn totally off, they weren’t members of the shiny club either. And finally, other keys, like the “x” and “z,” keys looked practically brand new…because they were. And that made me think.

What if we could magically transform ourselves to the keys on the keyboard? I know, I know about now you’re wondering what I had to drink this morning! Sure it was coffee? Well, it was. But if we could, would we be one of the well-worn keys that made a bigger impact in the story. Would our lives impact the world around us in a positive and productive way? Whether it is the smaller circle of our families or the bigger circle of our community, would our impact be missed if we weren’t there? My wife plays the piano and recently she was playing at our senior adult center. One black key, a D#, was totally gone and she was saying how difficult it was to play without it. Is that our impact?

I am sure of one thing. When my Dearest Daddy finally decides it is time to disconnect my keyboard, I want to know that I have made a difference. I want to finish like a shiny key—one that is worn smooth with life. I don’t want to go out barely used and barely missed. How about you? Of course, that comes with a risk. The keys are shiny because my fat, little fingers bang on them all the time. And if the keys of your life’s keyboard are going to be shiny, it can only come with a lot of banging around. But trust me…it is worth it.

The best keys, the shiniest keys, belong to those who have learned the grandest purpose in life…love God and love people. If you get that one right, well, trust me you will have an impactful life. And it goes further. When we choose to love God like He says, we will have an impactful eternity. I’m one of those folks that believes the end here is just a beginning there. I believe there is more…a lot more…after the last heartbeat. And as a Jesus guy, I want to be sure that He is pleased with my keys. In a story Jesus told in the New Testament part of the Bible, the master of a servant was full of praise and says, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” In other words, “Good job.”

I want to make it to heaven with a life of shiny keys…well worn, well used for others and Him. Does that sound noble? Well, I don’t know about that. I think rather that is the least we can do for a Heavenly Father that loves us so much and is always there for us. To be a shiny key, we need a lot of help and I know, and you know…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, forgiveness, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, prayer, Scripture, Southern born, thankful, Trials

Confession

Posted on February 22, 2022February 21, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

It was the summer of my rebellion. I know, some people are born compliant, and some are born a little on the rebellious side. I was born compliant. I have always been a rule keeper—well, at least most of the time. I suppose that is why I took to religion so well. You see religion is all about keeping the rules. The idea is if you keep enough of the rules then people will like you and most importantly, God will like you. And sure enough, it worked—well, at least part one worked. In my younger years, most of the adults thought I was a good boy. Church? Got it. Drinking? Not a drop. Drugs? Nope. I can hear them saying it now, “That Dewayne is such a nice boy.” And, I suppose outwardly I looked pretty good, but pretty good won’t get you to heaven.

You see the second part of the religion mantra is that you can make God happy by performing—by keeping the rules. That one is 100% false. There is no one, except Jesus, that was good enough to go to heaven. Yet it seems so many church people say they believe that rules won’t get you to heaven but act as if they will. They carefully do this and that and boy, if you happened to be one of the ones who didn’t keep the rules, you were tried, convicted, and sentenced. That’s why I had to keep my cussing summer quiet.

I think maybe all the rule keeping must have finally got to me. The bottom line is during the summer between my junior and senior years of high school—I started cussing. I had a job at an apartment complex down the road from our house and I worked with the son of the head maintenance man. He was not a Jesus person, and he did like to cuss. So, one day, I just started cussing too. I had heard enough cuss words at school to know most of them, so I didn’t have to have any lessons…though I did have to work on my voice inflections.

It was a very tricky time in my life because I had to turn the cussing on at 8:00 am and I had to be sure and turn it off at 5:00pm. That’s what you have to do when you are living a double life. Under no circumstances did I want to spoil my good boy image at church or with my Momma and Daddy. I do remember one time I let a small one slip and Momma looked at me with eyes that said, “Where did that come from?” Of course, I didn’t, I couldn’t let her know that her baby son was a cusser.

And, as quickly as it came, it passed. At the end of the summer, I had to go back to school and therefore had to quit my job. All I know is that the cussing stopped and my rule keeping world got a little easier. I managed to please a lot of people, but I knew I was far from pleasing God. It would be several more years before I finally figured out that rule keeping didn’t work and religion didn’t either. When I was 21, I finally found grace and boy was that a game changer. Honestly, it is taking me a long time to shake the deep roots of rule keeping and religion. I’m still working on it.

You might ask, “How do you know if you are under the influence of religion and rule keeping?” Well, its two main indicators are self-condemnation and a tendency to judge others. Rule keepers are acutely aware when they or others around them break a rule. Rule keepers (and religious people) like to point out other people’s sins and faults because it makes them feel better about themselves. If they can make you feel bad, then it makes them feel better. It’s a twisted world.

God’s way is so much better than religion and rules. Did you know His Book, the Bible, actually says that when someone believes in Jesus and becomes one of His followers that there is no condemnation—none—nada? I mean when the prosecuting attorney and the judge both acquit you—the trial is over. I’m slowly learning just how valuable that is. There is an audience of One that Jesus followers must live for and that is God…their Heavenly Father…their Abba Father…their Dearest Daddy. I love what Toby Mac (a contemporary Christian singer) said, “I gave God a million reasons not to love me. Not one of them changed His mind.” I like that!

Well, I’m glad my cussing summer is ancient history. I still look back at those two or three months and wonder what in the world was I was thinking? The truth is…I probably wasn’t. But now, by grace, that, and all my other failures, warts and sins are forgiven…all because of Jesus. I’m so grateful for that. If you have never discovered grace and forgiveness, especially God’s kind, I hope you will check it out. Don’t get confused with religion and rule keeping like I did. God’s got something far, far, better than that. Think you’ve messed up too much to be forgiven? Nope…don’t give it a second thought. Trust me…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Scripture, thankful, Trials

An Angel Named Tom

Posted on February 21, 2022February 20, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.” James 1:17

It was the same story every night. When my family and I lived in Cobden we had the adventure of living in a 100-year-old Victorian home. It really was an adventure. It was partially restored and over the thirteen years we lived there, we changed and upgraded so many things. It was kinda like the kid’s song, “The Song that Never Ends.” So many of the things we did were low budget because, well, we had a low budget. Money was a little tight, but it seemed God always provided.

The house didn’t have air conditioning and sometimes that was a bit uncomfortable. It did have one of those big attic fans…you know, the kind that can suck the sheets right off the bed. That provided a cool breeze through the windows on those comfortable, Southern Illinois, nights. However, if you’ve ever lived in a place like Southern Illinois, you know that often the days and nights are anything but comfortable. It is more like living in the Amazon basin in South America. Two words described it: hot and humid. On those nights, there was no attic fan in the world that was going to help.

Eventually we got a used window air conditioner and put it in our bedroom. Then we would make beds on the floor, and everyone would sleep in the same room until the nights became more bearable. We sounded like the Walton’s as we all said goodnight to one another. This went on for several years until one day hope…and help…arrived. Someone had a used central air conditioning unit that they sold to us on the cheap. The only problem, the upstairs didn’t any duct work or vents…nada…zero. And then God sent us a couple of heroes…or at least to us they were heroes.

A family in our church had a son who installed air conditioning. His name was Tom. He lived an hour away but, knowing our plight, he wanted to help. He said he would come over after work (driving an hour) and install our air conditioning…including building the duct work we would need. And, that’s not all, his dad Bill, who attended our church, joined the team. So, for the next couple of weeks, in the heat of summer, after working a long day, these two men came and climbed into our attic and worked and sweated. Oh yes, I was there too but only as a nuisance, I’m sure.

After a couple of weeks of intense, hot labor, finally the day came to flip the switch. Wonderful, magically cool air began flowing softly through the new installed system. What was normal for so many was heaven for us. What had been a hot summer routine of pallets on the floor and life with the Waltons came to a close. And, even now, as my fingers mash the keys on the keyboard, I am smiling. I am just amazed how God provided this family and these friends to help us…without taking a dime. Two angels of mercy with the unlikely names of Tom and Bill.

Over the years, there have been other stories, other angels of mercy and I’ll write about them too one day. The stories need to be told because they are stories of love—both the love of God and love of God lived out. The stories need to be told because they remind us, all of us, to be grateful for the things God has provided through this great adventure called life. James, the half-brother of Jesus said, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.” There is no doubt in my mind that is true…not just for me…but for you too.

It’s a bit tricky but be sure and look around for the everyday blessings that God sends your way…oh, and He does send them. When you see them, remember them, write them down in your heart or in a journal. Then, when leaner times come, they will remind you of the faithfulness of your Dearest Daddy. Also, they will also remind you that no matter what, you can know, you can believe that, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Military memories, prayer, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

A Leap of Faith

Posted on February 14, 2022February 13, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.” Psalm 37:25

It was a one and only, life changing, Valentine’s Day. It was 1982…forty years ago. My wife Judy and I were enjoying life and enjoying our still “new to us” daughter who had just turned one. And that isn’t all. My wife Judy was expecting our second child due that August. As Gomer Pyle used to say, “Surprise, surprise, surprise.” But there was more…a lot more. You see, about a month before that Valentine’s Day, the pastor where we attended church had asked me to speak on Men’s Day. In case you’re wondering, Men’s Day in a Baptist Church is where the men step and do something. It could be singing in the choir or like me, speaking. Yup, the pastor had asked me to speak that day and I said yes.

That wasn’t a total surprise. The previous year he had asked me to share my Jesus story…how I met and responded to faith in Jesus. He later asked me a curious question. “Dewayne,” he said, “have you ever thought about becoming a pastor?” Well, the truth was I had but not seriously. After all, I had a great career going in the Air Force and with another baby on the way, well, it wasn’t on my radar. So, I sat down and wrote something that I thought would work and I guess it did. But from that moment on, something was restless in my soul. I was afraid if I ever tried this speaking thing it might start something and it did.

For the next month or so, things kinda rolled around in my soul. Something was stirring but I think even I was surprised by what that thing was. So, that Valentine’s Day, Judy and I did what we always did on Sunday…go to church. I’m sure there were cards exchanged and most likely a gift or two but it was a normal, “get up and go to church” Sunday. We went to our Bible study class (which remains one of our favorite memories…great friends getting together).

After class we headed to worship. We were sitting in our “normal” spot…center section, five or six rows back. We sang, we prayed, we gave, and then we sat down to listen…and apparently, God was talking…to me. At the end of the service, we always had a time for people to go forward and pray or perhaps make some sort of commitment. Well, without any warning (God does that sometimes), an unexpected passion or urgency came over me and I found myself leaving me my seat and heading toward my pastor. I took him by the hand and told him God was calling me to be a vocational pastor. I don’t believe he was shocked, but I can tell you I was. I knew this meant a total life change and career change. It still amazes me as I think about it.

Well, there’s a lot to the story but that decision led me to leave the Air Force after 12 years and jump headlong into the pool of faith and trusting God. Today, February 14th, marks that day forty years ago. You might be wondering, “So, Dewayne, how did that work for you?” Well, there has been bumps, but I want to tell you that God has been so faithful to us. We have had the ride of our lives and it has been incredible. There’s a verse in the Bible where the author says that he had never seen someone who followed God forsaken or begging for bread. Well, that’s a pretty broad statement and it is certainly needs to be taken as a principle and not a promise, but I can tell you God has watched over us these four decades.

Valentine’s Day is and should be a special day. I know it was probably a ploy by Hallmark to make a ton of money. I know it can be a blessing for those who remember and a bane for those who forget. But for me, it is a time to remember the day I jumped…and God caught me. You might know that in the military if you serve 20 years you can retire handsomely. You may have done the math and concluded that if I had served eight more years, I would have been “fixed” for life. You ask, “Do you every regret getting out and losing “all of that?” My brother-in-law asked that one time and my answer was, “Absolutely, 100%, no.” I wouldn’t have missed this story for the world. Oh, and the best part is…it’s still being written. You might wonder why I can end each story with, “He’s got this.” Well, the truth is, He’s proved it over and over again. Bro. Dewayne

Family, forgiveness, friends, Grace, Integrity, life, love, loving others, Scripture, Southern born, thankful, Trials, wisdom

Your Slip is Showing

Posted on February 10, 2022February 8, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

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

Pardon me, but your slip is showing. Change is everywhere. I can well remember my Momma getting dressed for church. In those day she always wore a couple of extra “accessories.” First, she was a big fan of what I guess was called a girdle. As I remember, these things were designed to hold things in place around a lady’s waist. I never saw Momma put one on, but I know she wore one. How? When we were sitting in church, I would get bored and start doing “things.” Things are anything that helped me pass the time. So, I would poke my Momma in the side, only to find that it was hard as a rock. As impenetrable as the Great China Wall, there was something firming things up. I suspect it was “the girdle.”

The other thing was something called a slip. As best as I could tell it was worn under a lady’s dress to ensure that nothing was seen through. Now I know more about this because my Momma always wanted to be sure her slip wasn’t showing. It was important to have the slip shorter than your dress by a couple of inches. Well, since she couldn’t see behind her (we didn’t have a full-length mirror), she would say, “Dewayne, is my slip showing?” I would get behind her and give her the report. I think in our early years of marriage, slips were still in vogue. I’m pretty sure Judy asked me to give her the “slip” report too.

Nobody, and I mean nobody, wanted to get to church and have their slip showing. How many times did we get somewhere public and there in front of us would be a lady with her slip showing? Momma would sadly shake her head and say, “Oh my, her slip is showing. She should have had someone check.” Well, some time ago slips went out of vogue and so also went the way of the slip report. No slip…no report. But the saying still lingers.

When you hear someone say, “Your slip is showing.” it means that something they intended, or perhaps should have intended, to be hidden is there for everyone to see. Well, here’s a news flash. Someone needs to tell everyone that their “slip” is showing in social media. Now I am not a social media person. I use it to post Grits, to make a couple of church announcements and wish people happy birthday. But beyond that, it just isn’t my thing. But even with that limited exposure, and thanks to folks who sometimes tell me what they see, well, there are a lot of “slips” showing.

I’ve almost stopped being shocked at what people write on social media. It seems people confuse the privacy of their journal with things like Facebook. Things that should never be written or spoken spew on the pages like a bad case of the stomach flu. Hurtful, painful words too often fill the screen of our devices. I remember one time a lady who attended our church at the time wrote some very un-Jesus like words. I asked her about it, and she said, “Well, I didn’t know the whole world would see them.” What? Duh?”

So, I think when we see someone being unkind and harsh in social media we should just say, “Pardon me, but your slip is showing.” Now “showing your slip” with unkind words is never right. You know your Momma taught you, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Well, Jesus gives us another perspective and warning. He tells us that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. In other words, what comes out of our mouth is simply revealing what is in our hearts. And if hurtful, unkind, and sometimes untrue words flow from our mouths, or our fingers, according to Jesus, it is just revealing what is in our hearts.

I know, if you aren’t a Jesus follower that doesn’t make a lot of sense but hey, kindness is really in vogue these days even in the secular world. It might be selective kindness, but it is there. Now, if you are a Jesus follower, God gives us a word for this kind of practice. It is called sin. No matter the circumstances or the way we attempt to justify it, it is sin. If you feel the need to express your displeasure with someone, why not try praying. God is always up for an authentic prayer on behalf of someone and you also won’t be surprised to hear “your slip is showing.”

I happen to be one of those people who too often speaks without thinking but I am learning to hit the pause button. They say the older you get the more you lose your filter. You say things…and write things…that are just not right, or kind or both. Then, you end up telling God you are sorry and experiencing that regret thing. Of course, you may not have any remorse…and that is the saddest of all.

So, what do you say? Let’s start a “Pardon me, your slip is showing” campaign. It is a gentle way of letting someone know that their communication, whether it be social media or spoken, shall we say, is embarrassing. They may not thank you now but maybe, just maybe, they will later. And if you are like me and sometimes wrestle with putting your mouth in gear when you shouldn’t, ask God to help. He will, trust me. This is a big deal to Him. The good news is that like everything, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne