basic training – Grits with Grace

communication, fear, Military memories, Scripture, Trials, wisdom

Foot in Mouth Disease, Sir!

Posted on June 27, 2025June 16, 2025 by Dewayne Taylor

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

I just shouldn’t have said it. We all have said things that we wish we hadn’t. I learned a lesson about that the hard way. I had two bumps in Air Force basic training. One involved singing…you can check that one out on my blog www.gritswithgrace.com (https://gritswithgrace.com/2020/06/01/i-said-sing/). The other one also involved my mouth. I wonder if there is trend there?

In basic training guys were assigned to a flight (group) and each flight had a dorm chief. He was someone, a peer of sorts, the flight chief selected from within or outside the flight. Ours was selected from outside. He had a weight issue so was put in a special group that helped men get down to a weight level that was acceptable. That of course meant they had to stay longer in basic. Well, our guy, whose name was Guy, was one of those guys. Because of his longer tenure in basic he was appointed our dorm chief.

Now it could have been a little jealousy on my side, or it could have been that I was a little judgmental or maybe I had a momentary case of the stupid’s but I said something to one of the guys about this guy. The words are lost to time, but it was probably something like, “Who does this guy think he is? He’s not a leader…he is a loser.” Well, anyway, something like that. I said it and forgot it assuming it just died away. It did not.

So, apparently either that guy told another guy who told another guy who told the guy named Guy. The guy named Guy told the guy named Sergeant Catchings who was the same guy that caught me about singing. Well, things were about to go south. There was a lesson that needed to be taught and I was the object of that lesson.

Sergeant Catchings gathered the flight outside his office and, leaving the door open sat down at his desk. We all were like, “What’s this about?” I quickly found out it was about me. Soon a booming, “you’re in deep weeds son” voice said, “Airman Taylor, get in here.” I got up and went in the office and he instructed me to close the door. I stood smartly at attention in front of the desk. Sergeant Catchings harshly invited me to take a seat. There was no chair.

He had me place my hands flat on his desk and then squat by bending my knees till my arms were parallel with the top of his desk. Three things immediately came to my mind. One, what in the world have I done? Two, this is very uncomfortable. Three, I’m going to die. Well in about one minute I found out that Dorm Chief Guy had told him I was mouthing off. I had broken a cardinal rule…don’t mouth off about those in leadership above you.

Sergeant Catchings jumped to his feet and began to lecture me about respect for leadership and how I should never, ever disrespect those put in authority over me. Now don’t forget that, first, I still “sitting” in the invisible chair with my hands on his desk. Second, the entire flight is outside the door. And by now he is screaming at the top of his lungs. For added effect, he would occasionally walk over to the door and kick it or slap it making it sound like I was dying. I was.

Finally, after about ten or so minutes he opens the door and says two words, “Get out.” Imagine 27 guys looking in the office and seeing me squatting with my hands on the desk. I can’t move. I am locked in place. My leg muscles and arm muscles were frozen. He said it again, LOUDER, “I said get out.” So, I fell over and managed to crawl, yes, I said crawl, out of his office. I was in agony and the rest of the guys were in shock and we all learned a lesson about respect for authority.

The lesson that day was very valuable. I wish I could tell you that I learned it so well I never had the “stupid’s” again but that wouldn’t be true. But I can tell you this. There is a reason the Bible talks so much about the tongue and the mouth. It isn’t a matter of finding a verse…it is a matter of choosing a verse. We can start with a little nugget found in Proverbs 21:23, “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,

and you will stay out of trouble.” I wish I had remembered that one before I uttered the words that prompted my visit to Sergeant Catchings office.

Oh well, I’m sure glad we have a graceful God. I have learned over the years to deeply value his patience with me and His mercy for me. There have been too many times I’ve had to go to my Dearest Daddy and have a chat about “foot in mouth” disease. I’m glad He graciously invited me to come sit close beside Him. He has always heard my confession and honored my repentance. I find rest right there…next to Him…because He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, Military memories, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

Life from the Back Left

Posted on May 24, 2024May 22, 2024 by Dewayne Taylor

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b

I guess I got in the wrong line. I don’t know if there are lines in heaven or not but if there are…I may have missed one or two. If there is a line for being tall, missed it. If there is a line for being skinny, I missed that one too. Oh, the line for hair, missed it again. Oh well, I am who I am and probably in a different world I would be alright with at least some of it. But it seems we live in a world where we are constantly being reminded that we always come up…a little short (pun fully intended).

And speaking of short, the Air Force had this unusual way of reminding you that you weren’t tall. Now, first, you need to know I really, really enjoyed my time in the Air Force. Once you made it past basic training, in many ways it was like working for any other first-class organization. Now granted, we were still in the warrior business, but Basic Military Training wasn’t the real Air Force…thankfully.

You see, in Basic, we marched where we went. I’m sure the Army and Marines do that all the time anyway but once we got out of Basic and tech school, we rediscovered the wonders of buses and cars. But not so in Basic. So, it went something like this. The Drill Sergeant would holler “form up”. Now we had done this enough that we would get into lines about seven across and seven deep. The sergeant would then have us do a “right face” and would say, “If you are taller than the man in front of you, tap him on the right shoulder and move up.” In other words, if you are tall, move up…if you’re short don’t.

Well, I simply waited for the inevitable tap on the right shoulder and sure enough…it came. Then the sergeant would have us do a “left face” and we would do it all over again. The command came, “If you are taller than the man in front of you, tap him on the right shoulder and move up.” So, the result was the tallest people were on the right front and the shortest people were in the left back. Well, it seems I spent a lot of time in the back left.

I’m sure there is a reason for all of this. It certainly must have looked more uniform, and I guess it probably looked more impressive. I’m glad we didn’t apply this logic and formula to family photographs. If we did, some of us would never have been seen. I always wrestled with things like this because it seemed to make me feel kinda…small. It sometimes seems that the world places great value on a man’s stature—the taller the better and it is true in so many arenas and places around the world. But there is one place that it doesn’t matter one bit…and that is the place that matters the most.

You see, when it comes to God, He is not impressed even a little bit with our height, weight, or even how much hair we have. In fact, He is the one who made us and since He doesn’t make mistakes, well, that means He got it all right. When God was choosing the second king of Israel, the search committee naturally assumed the biggest and tallest would be selected. Well, God said, “Nope.” It turned out that there was a short, ruddy, teenage shepherd boy that, through God’s prospective, fit the bill perfectly. You see, God looks at the size of the heart and not the height. He looks on the inside and not the outside. I like that. A lot.

So, as you journey through life, and you are bugged because it seems you got in the wrong lines in heaven (and just to be clear…there really aren’t any lines) remember that God made you just way He wanted you. When they were doing the selection process for that king, God said, “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Well, there you go. You won’t find any of that, “tapping the shoulder thing and moving up” in God’s family. We made us equal and loves us equally. And if anyone tries to tell you differently, just remind them who’s calling the shots and remember that no matter what, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, friends, Grace, gratitude, Holidays, July 4, life, loving others, Military memories, prayer, priorities, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel, Trials

July 4, 1974

Posted on July 4, 2023June 29, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

It was fifty-one years ago today. The summer of 1972 was unlike any other summer I had experienced. I had joined the Air Force and spent the summer at “camp” with about forty new friends. We shared one thing in common—we had taken an oath to “protect the constitution of the United States against all enemies…foreign and domestic.” We had also committed to obeying the orders of those appointed over us and at this point…that was everyone else but us. We were brand new, raw recruits who knew a lot about being a civilian and virtually nothing about being in the military. But we didn’t have to worry…our drill sergeant was taking care of that.

I arrived at Lackland Air Force Base in the early morning hours of June 13th…early as in about 2:00 am. This was intentional because the Air Force actually wanted you to be disorientated the first few days. I think it was supposed to make us more cooperative. Anyway, we quickly got into a routine sporting our new haircuts and green fatigue uniforms. They kept us going from before sunrise and put us to bed even before it was dark. That was ok too because we were wore out.

This was my first time away from home, but the schedule didn’t allow for home sickness. But all that changed one night in July. There wasn’t a lot of free time…whether it was a Tuesday, a Friday, or a Sunday…though they did allow time for church for anyone who wanted to go. Most of us wanted to go…not because we loved God but for a couple of hours, we could forget the grind of basic.

Back then the Air Force didn’t observe holidays either. Of course, the only one that occurred in my time in basic was—Independence Day. As I remember, we definitely did NOT get the day off, but I do think we got to do some extra marching…I think it was supposed to be patriotic. Anyway, it was soon time for lights out and then it happened. I was lying in my bunk; the skies had finally darkened, and I heard a familiar sound. It was the sound of exploding fireworks.

I eased out of bed and knelt down in front of the window. From there, I watched the fireworks display for the base explode and light up the sky. And as I watched, a wave of homesickness washed over me. I remembered all the times that we would go to downtown Jacksonville to the riverfront and watch the fireworks together as a family. I remembered the times we would go to a small neighborhood grocery store and sneak into the backroom where they sold illegal fireworks and load up. I remembered and as I did I knew that this was the first of many times that being a member of the military would mean separation…and sacrifice.

Before long the fireworks were over and I went back to my bunk and after too many minutes of loneliness, drifted off to sleep. The next morning it was back to business as usual. The summer of ’72 passed pretty quickly and before I knew it, I was done with basic and moved on to what was next…more training…and more new adventures. And what I discovered that night, kneeling at my window in basic, came true. There were many more days and holidays when family was far away. But also knew it was a small sacrifice to make to serve my country.

So today, be sure and remember those who are serving, who are sacrificing, that we can enjoy our freedoms. Remember freedom is never free and we should be thankful for those willing to make ours possible. Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” That is so, so true. Look, we all know America is far from perfect, but She is still the best country on the planet—remember that today too. And if you are one of those separated from family to serve, thank you and know that the One who died for you, loves you and will never leave you. No matter what you are facing today, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, friends, gratitude, July 4, life, loving others, Military memories, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful, travel, USA

July 4. 1972

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

No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

It was fifty years ago today. The summer of 1972 was unlike any other summer I had experienced. I had joined the Air Force and spent the summer at “camp” with about forty new friends. We shared one thing in common—we had taken an oath to “protect the constitution of the United States against all enemies…foreign and domestic.” We had also committed to obeying the orders of those appointed over us and at this point…that was everyone else but us. We were brand new, raw recruits who knew a lot about being a civilian and virtually nothing about being in the military. But we didn’t have to worry…our drill sergeant was taking care of that.

So today, be sure and remember those who are serving, who are sacrificing, that we can enjoy our freedoms. Remember freedom is never free and we should be thankful for those willing to make ours possible. Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” That is so, so true. Look, we all know America is far from perfect, but she is still the best country on the planet—remember that today too. And if you are one of those separated from family to serve, thank you and know that the One who died for you, loves you and will never leave you. No matter what you are facing today, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, Military memories, prayer, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, thankful, Trials

“Yes, Sir”

Posted on April 5, 2022April 4, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27

Bummer. I knew I should have listened. I have always liked music and I have always loved to sing. From the time my mother forced my oldest sister to allow me to sing at her wedding…I’ve been hooked. Not only do I like music I generally like all kinds of music. To me music is the melody of life. It often expresses emotions and feelings that otherwise might go unexpressed. So, I sing…loud and all the time.

You know, some people say, “I saw you at the store the other day.” Not me. People will say, “I heard you at the store the other day.” Regardless of where I am there is usually a song somewhere close by. And the funny part is you never know what you will get. It might be “Amazing Grace” or Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart.” That’s not an issue except for the fact I work at a church. It can be kinda strange.

I also have a hard time getting the words right. I know some of the words to hundreds of songs but unfortunately know all the words to very few. People used to correct me when I would get the words wrong. Most finally gave up. Now they just smile. I should have listened a long time ago when someone would try and correct me. Especially since that time in basic training.

Basic training in the Air Force is that time when they teach you how to be an airman. That includes knowledge and action. Clearly it involves learning to follow orders. I was raised in the South so saying, “Yes, sir” or “Yes, ma’am” came really easy for me. I was even a pretty compliant person. But one day, well, I just missed it.

For some reason I was in the barracks by myself, and I was letting it go. It was an old hymn, maybe “Amazing Grace.” From somewhere a voice boomed, “Shut-up.” Well, I thought it was one of the guys jerking my chain, so I kept right on singing at the top of my lungs. From somewhere the booming voice boomed again, “I said shut-up.” It was just about then that I vaguely remembered hearing that voice before. “Oh, that’s right,” I said, “that’s the voice of my drill instructor, Sergeant Catchings.” Oops. Game, set, match.

So here he comes from somewhere and he is madder than a hornet. “Taylor,” he said, “didn’t I tell you to shut up?” he boomed in his drill sergeant voice. I knew there was no use trying to explain that I didn’t know it was him, so I just muttered a weak, “Yes, sir.” Then he walks over to the mop closet, opens the door and invites me to step inside. Gulp. I step inside and as he shuts the door he said just one word, “Sing!”

So, with all its odors and in the dark, I start belting out “Amazing Grace.” After a few verses, he opens the door and says, “Do you know, “Rock of Ages?” “Yes, sir” I said. Once again came the one-word command, “Sing.” The door closes, and I sing. After a few verses, the door opens and he said, “Do you know…” and he named another hymn now long forgotten. “Yes sir” I said. You know what he said, “Sing.” Well, after a few verses the door opens and he says, “Get out.” I wasn’t sure if he meant out of the closet or out of the Air Force and I didn’t stick around to find out. I got out.

Well, I learned something that day. It is important that I learn to recognize and obey the voices around me…especially those that might be in charge. I never missed the voice of Sergeant Catchings again. When I heard that booming voice…I listened. No more mop closets for me. I learned that day to listen for my drill instructor and even more importantly, I’m learning to listen for God.

You see, one day Jesus was describing His followers to a bunch of religious bad guys. He said, “My sheep (code for followers) know My voice. I know them and they follow Me.” That verse, in English, has 12 very important words. First, He said, “My sheep know my voice.” Check. We need to recognize Jesus’ voice. Amid all the noise of the world we have got to hear Him. Second, He said, “I know them.” Wait, what? He knows us. I like that. It means that He has a relationship with me. He is looking out for me. It also means He knows my quirky habits like singing too loud in the middle of Walmart…and loves me anyway. Last, “They follow me.” What He is saying is that followers follow. Plain and simple. Follow Him and you might avoid the “mop closets” of life. Trust me…I’ve been there and done that. It’s not the kind of place you want to visit or sing in.

I’m sure Sergeant Catchings had my best interest in mind. He was there to teach me discipline and he did. Looking back, I’m sure he thought it was all pretty humorous. So do I…now. But that day, well, I just wish I had listened a little closer. These days, I’m learning to listen for the whisperer whispering, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.” And I believe He does. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, Military memories, Scripture, Trials

Foot in Mouth Disease

Posted on August 5, 2021August 4, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

Now it could have been a little jealousy on my side, or it could have been that I was a little judgmental or maybe I had a momentary case of the “stupids”, but I said something to one of the guys about this guy. The words are lost to time, but it was probably something like, “Who does this guy think he is? He’s not a leader…he is a loser.” Well, anyway, something like that. I said it and forgot it assuming it just died away. It did not.

So, apparently either that guy told another guy who told another guy who told the guy named Guy. The guy named Guy told the guy named Sergeant Catchings who was the same guy that caught me singing. Well, things were about to go south. There was a lesson that needed to be taught and I was the object of that lesson.

Sergeant Catchings gathered the flight outside his office and leaving the door open sat down at his desk. We all were like, “What’s this about?” I quickly found out it was about me. Soon a booming, “you’re in deep weeds son” voice said, “Airman Taylor, get in here.” I got up and went in the office and he instructed me to close the door. I stood smartly at attention in front of the desk. Sergeant Catchings harshly invited me to take a seat. There was no chair.

Sergeant Catchings, jumped to his feet and began to lecture me about respect for leadership and how I should never, ever disrespect those put in authority over me. Now don’t forget. One, I still “sitting” in the invisible chair with my hands on his desk. Two, the entire flight is outside the door. And by now he is screaming at the top of his voice. For added effect, he would occasionally walk over to the door and kick it or slap it making it sound like I was dying. I was.

Finally, after about ten or so minutes he opens the door and says two words, “Get out.” Imagine 27 guys looking in the office and seeing me squatting with my hands on the desk. I can’t move. I am locked in place. My muscles leg and arm muscles were frozen. He said it again, LOUDER, “I said get out.” So, I fell over and managed to crawl, yes, I said crawl, out of his office. I was in agony and the rest of guys were in shock and we all learned a lesson about gossip and respect for authority.

The lesson that day was very valuable. I wish I could tell you that I learned it so well I never had the “stupids” again but that wouldn’t be true. But I can tell you this. There is a reason the Bible talks so much about the tongue and the mouth. It isn’t a matter of finding a verse…it is a matter of choosing a verse. We can start with a little nugget found in Proverbs 21:23, “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,

and you will stay out of trouble.” I wish I had remembered that one before I uttered the words that prompted my visit to Sergeant Catchings office.

Oh well, I’m sure glad we have a graceful God. I have learned over the years to deeply value His patience with me and His mercy for me. There have been too times I’ve had to go to my dearest Daddy and have a chat about “foot in mouth” disease. I’m glad He graciously invited me to come sit close beside Him. He has always heard my confession and honored my repentance. I find rest right there…next to Him. Because He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

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

June 12th

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Family, Grace, gratitude, life, Military memories, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

“Foot in Mouth” Disease

Posted on July 7, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

In basic guys were assigned to a flight (group) and each flight had a dorm chief. He was someone, a peer of sorts, the flight chief selected from within or outside the flight. Ours was selected from outside. He had a weight issue so was put in a special group that helped men get down to a weight level that was acceptable. That of course meant they had to stay longer in basic. Well, our guy, whose name was Guy, was one of those guys. Because of his longer tenure in basic he was named our dorm chief.

Now it could have been a little jealousy on my side or it could have been that I was a little judgmental or maybe I had a momentary case of the stupids but I said something to one of the guys about this guy. The words are lost to time but it was probably something like, “Who does this guy think he is? He’s not a leader…he is a loser.” Well, anyway, something like that. I said it and forgot it assuming it just died away. It did not.

So, apparently either that guy told another guy who told another guy who told the guy named Guy. The guy named Guy told the guy named Sergeant Catchings who was the same guy that caught me singing. Well, things were about to go south. There was a lesson that needed to be taught and I was the object of that lesson.

Finally, after about ten or so minutes he opens the door and says two words, “Get out.” Imagine 27 guys looking in the office and seeing me squatting with my hands on the desk. I can’t move. I am locked in place. My muscles leg and arm muscles were frozen. He said it again, LOUDER, “I said get out.” So, I fell over and managed to crawl, yes I said crawl, out of his office. I was in agony and the rest of guys were in shock and we all learned a lesson about gossip and respect for authority.

and you will stay out of trouble.” I wish I had remembered that one before I uttered the words that prompted my visit to Sergeant Catchings office.

But the one that probably says it best is this, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Imagine how less complicated our lives, our families, our marriages would be if we mastered that one. Imagine how our work lives and even our worship lives would change. A pastor once said that if we knew we would have to personally apologize to every person we slandered or gossiped about, we probably would hit “pause” a lot more often. Oh well, I’m sure glad we have a graceful God. I have learned over the years to deeply value his patience with me and His mercy for me. There have been too times I’ve had to go to my dearest Daddy and have a chat about “foot in mouth” disease. I’m glad He graciously invited me to come sit close beside Him. He has always heard my confession and honored my repentance. I find rest right there…next to Him. Because He’s got this.