birthday – Grits with Grace

birthday, friends, gratitude, life, Scripture, thankful

Holey Moley

Posted on September 26, 2025September 26, 2025 by Dewayne Taylor

“God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

It was January of 2004, and it was a day to remember. On that day, my birthday, as a gift from a friend, I received my first flat panel television. Of course, back then it was brand new technology, and they were a little different. This one was about three inches thick and weighted about seventy pounds. Over the years, things have changed and that is true with televisions too. Thankfully, they have gone on a diet. Today, a larger television weighs less than half of the earlier models. Regardless, it can still be a little tricky to hang one on the wall…especially if you are “handyman” challenged. Let me explain.

A while back I was going to attempt to mount a television on our bedroom wall. I mean, it seemed easy enough. You take the television off the other wall, take the mount off the other wall, and go to the new wall. You drill a couple of holes and mount the mount. “That’s easy,” I said. “That’s no problem,” I said. “Anybody can do that,” I said. “In fact,” I said, “a blind man could do it.” About then discovered my name wasn’t “anybody” and I wasn’t blind.

Our house is old, and I do mean old. How old? Well, Miss Alice’s house next door was built in 1902, and she said when her house was being built ours was already there. That means our house is at least 127 years old—holy moley—that is old. At any rate that means there must be some plaster walls and there are. There is a reason why someone invented sheetrock and the reason is no one likes plaster walls. They are a pain. They easily crack. They are difficult to drill through and oh, a stud finder doesn’t work and if you are going to mount a television…you need to find the studs in the wall.

I started searching for the elusive stud in the wall. I tapped on the wall, I laid hands on the wall, I talked to the walI, but all to no avail. I then called a friend of mine and he said to start drilling holes till you find a stud. I was paralyzed—I could just imagine my wall having a religious experience and becoming very holey. But anyway, I started drilling.

Well, five holes later (we need to hum a few bars of, “holy, holy, holy”) I finally found a stud and amazingly when I found one, I could find the next. As I screwed the bolts into the wall, I said a prayer and put the television on the mount. It worked. And, believe it or not, it is still there today. I just hope that no one looks behind the television and sees all the “oops!” If you should ever hear a loud moan from over Poplar Street way, well it might be that things went south after all.

One of the things I learned (again) through all of this is how fear can paralyze us. I mean I stood there and looked and studied (no pun intended) and looked and studied…trying to get the courage to start drilling. I was afraid that I might end up drilling hole after hole after hole and have Swiss cheese instead of a wall. I was afraid and so for a while I did nothing. When I finally decided that I could and should…it gave me the courage to start and finish my project.

If you find yourself facing a difficult task, if you find yourself overwhelmed with fear—find someone to give you a little encouragement. Sometimes that might come in the form of flesh and bones, but it can come without either—it just might come from God and from His Word. When you find yourself in the grip of fear, remember 2 Timothy 1:7, “God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.” And always remember that regardless of what we face, we can have the confident assurance that, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, food, friends, gratitude, life, loving others

Taking Care of Family

Posted on August 22, 2025August 20, 2025 by Dewayne Taylor

“If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and He will repay you!” Proverbs 19:17

I know I didn’t know them…but I felt I did. As a pastor, retired or not, I occasionally receive a call from either a funeral home or a family that has experienced the loss of a loved one and they don’t have a pastor that can help them. Well, one day that happened. A mother had died and her sister, on behalf of the family, contacted me. Could I help them? I agreed but I had a request. I try and make every service personal and special and since I didn’t know her or the family I asked they provide some personal memories of their mom. Graciously they did, and in so doing they painted a picture.

She and her husband was blessed with five children—a challenge and a blessing. When the sister sent me some information, it became painfully apparent that life had been financially hard. Their mother had worked at a local manufacturing plant but was constantly being laid off. When she was, she worked as a cook at one of the local restaurants. It finally reached the point where the inconsistency of the one job made the other more attractive and she began working all the time at the restaurant.

She appreciated the consistency of the restaurant job, but it made for an even tighter budget at home. I was moved by the comments of each one of her children. They were so appreciative for a Momma that did everything possible to provide for them. They spoke of gratitude for a roof over their heads, food for their stomach, and heat in the winter. One spoke of the fact that regardless of the fact that Momma and the family were broke, somehow, someway, she made sure there were presents at Christmas and on their birthdays. That meant a lot to me.

At the service I rhetorically asked, “What does success mean?” It was one of those questions that I didn’t expect an answer…but I got one. Quietly, one of her sons said, “Being comfortably full.” When he said that it moved me…it still moves me. In a world where it seems everyone one has so much, in this family’s world abundance was a roof, some heat, food for their stomach and on a real good day, being comfortably full.

After hearing from her son, I went on to say that to me success is owning the things that money can’t buy…the things that don’t come from Walmart or some other store. Success is five kids who at their Momma’s funeral talk about the sacrifices she made, the hard work she did to make sure they had a roof over their head, some heat, and food in their stomachs. I then read a story paragraph that someone wrote about success. It said, “What is success? Success is living well, laughing often, and loving much. Success is gaining the respect of those who know us best; finding and living our purpose and leaving our world better than we found it.” I finished that service in deep appreciation of a 72 year old mother who did that and so much more. She gave her five kids a home.

I’ve written several times that money was pretty thin when we were growing up but I am sure we had more than this family and these kids. I’ve written before how much I appreciated the fact that Momma and Daddy always made Christmas and birthdays happen. It may have been courtesy of the local finance company but it happened. Now I am reminded that there were and are plenty of people where even that would not have been an option but somehow—they make it happen.

So, I’m just writing to say thank-you to someone I never knew—but felt I did. I want to say thank-you to five grown up now kids who taught me to even more deeply appreciate what my Momma and Daddy did. They too made it happen whether it was a roof over our heads, or fuel oil in our kerosene tank or food on the table. Let me encourage you to take the opportunity to thank the ones who made it happen in your life—whether it was years ago or yesterday. Maybe take the time to whisper a prayer of gratitude for those in your family—or maybe even outside your family—that made it happen.

Maybe, just maybe, you can be one that helps make it happen. Maybe you know someone who could use a little help. Maybe God has given you a little more so you can share with those who have a little less. Proverbs 19:17 says, “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—

and He will repay you!” I like that. When we share, we are being the hands and feet of Jesus and that is always a good thing. You may be the one that your Dearest Daddy uses to whisper in someone else’s ear—someone who is struggling to make it happen. And what is He whispering? He’s saying, “I’ve got this.” Bro. Dewayne

birthday, Family, gratitude, life, marriage, Scripture, thankful, travel

Amazing Creator–Amazing Creation

Posted on January 28, 2025January 25, 2025 by Dewayne Taylor

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.” Colossians 1:15-16

In a flash it rose from the ground. It was my birthday and we were aboard the Caribbean Princess leaving Port Canaveral for a six day cruise. It was half intentional and half happenstance that we left on my birthday. We first decided it would nice to go on a cruise in January. Then we decided it would be nice to leave near my birthday. Then it turned out that the cruise we wanted left on my birthday. How cool is that?

When we registered for the cruise, my wife Judy shared with the staff that my birthday was January 6 so that led to a week of many birthday wishes in many different ways. All week, many of the staff members, whether I was ordering something to drink or seeking help at the Guest Services counter would wish me a happy birthday. Of course, during our evening meal on my birthday, six servers, all from different parts of the world, came to my table and sang to me. Trust me, that was a very special experience, especially when they all struggled to pronounce my name.

Another part of my birthday experience was from my wife Judy. You see, the doors on the ship are all metal and she had ordered a large set of magnetic birthday graphics. Imagine my surprise when we returned to our room on the afternoon of my birthday and found our door plastered with birthday wishes and graphics. It was very, very special. The ship had even arranged for birthday wishes to appear on the many digital screens throughout the ship. I felt so special.

The afternoon we left Port Canaveral, we learned that Space X was set to launch a rocket. From the ship we had a perfectly clear view of the launch sight. As we were sailing out, and as we watched, there was a brilliant flash and we watched as the rocket soared toward the heavens. I had never seen a launch before and to see this one on my birthday was incredible. Talk about a birthday candle—that was one I will never forget. As the rocket arched across the sky, heading toward space, two emotions filled me. First, I was so proud to be an American. To live in a country where such technology is designed and built is amazing. The second emotion was one of amazement—that our creator God made us and gifted us with the intelligence to do such things.

As the rocket soared, I said to no one in particular, “Who would ever had dreamed that we could do this?” Hearing my comment, a lady standing next to me said, “Elon Musk.” While she was absolutely right…there was a bigger answer. There is no doubt that Mr. Musk is an incredible business man and visionary, in my way of thinking I know that he is who he is because God created him, made him that way. Our world is filled with miracles and masterpieces all courtesy of our amazing and wonderful God.

So as you look around in your world today, just remember that all of it, the things we can explain and imagine, and the things we can’t are all compliments of God the great creator. You see, the Bible says that He is the creator of all things so let’s be sure and give Him the glory He deserves. The song says, “To God be the glory…great things He has done.” My response, and hopefully yours, is “Amen and Amen.” If you struggle seeing the goodness and creativity in your world, just asked God for a little help. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, friends, gratitude, life, love, loving others, prayer, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, thankful

Snippet

Posted on January 5, 2023January 4, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Matthew 19:14

It’s tucked away in the memories of my mind…a snippet in a sea of remembrances. I’ve said it so many times by now that some might say it is overkill, but the bottom line is my Daddy and Momma went so far to make special days…special. The king of the hill, of course, was Christmas but they also tried to make each birthday special. They couldn’t afford it but somehow, they did it. And one of those sacrifices is the center of the snippet.

It was probably 1959. I was about five years old growing up in a world so different from today you would think that we moved to a different planet. It was a dozen days past Christmas, and it was my birthday. I’m sure there was cake, I’m sure there was a family celebration but what I remember most is the present. I’m not sure how you decide what to get a five-year-old, but Daddy and Momma sure knocked it out of the park that year.

Since there were no K-Marts or Walmart’s, I can only imagine that Daddy and Momma went down to the local Western Auto to shop. If you don’t remember they were a neighborhood store that was part appliance store, part general store and part household store. They also had a selection of toys…especially at Christmas and maybe that is why they had what I got. That year my parents bought me an ice cream truck.

Well, it really wasn’t a truck, and it really didn’t hold ice cream, but it was something special. It had three wheels, like a trike, but behind the seat it had large metal box with decals that said, “ice cream.” The handlebars had those plastic streamers on each end, the front wheel had a fender and of course, it had a bell. I can remember driving and peddling down the road in front of our house. There was little traffic so there was also little danger of getting run over.

For some reason I can remember about a quarter of mile down the road a man was building a small box house. He was singlehandedly taking on this project, and I decided to peddle down there, and he was working away. I “pulled up” and asked if he would like an ice cream and the reason I remember him, his house and that day was that rather than brush me off…he played along and if I remember correctly, almost every day I would peddle down the road to see my new customer and friend. The ice cream was pretend, but his kindness was not. Looking back at this snippet of a memory, it still makes me smile.

Hanging over the fireplace in my wife’s “keeping room” is a quote by Maya Angelou. Something she said says so much. She said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” And that is the very reason I remember this man taking time from building a house to talk and befriend a five-year-old boy. I don’t remember his name, but I do remember his heart.

What about you? What about us? I wonder will we take the time to be kind…to treat someone with an extra measure of kindness and implant a “snippet” in their hearts? In those days when I was five, kids were supposed to be more seen than heard. There seemed to be the adult world and the kid’s world and while there weren’t walls there were boundaries and this kind man chose to move beyond the boundary. He made me feel…important. He made me feel like I mattered. Perhaps today, we should try to do the same. Today, perhaps we should choose to be like…Jesus.

Jesus was famous for seeing the invisible people and touching the untouchable. He even said one time, “Let the little children come to Me.” He would have said to that little five-year-old boy with an ice cream truck, “Let Dewayne come to me.” And I want you to know that no matter how invisible you feel, no matter how insignificant…you are not either to Jesus! Tattoo that on your hearts…you matter, and you matter a lot to Him. So, if life seems overwhelming, or maybe underwhelming, just remember you’ve got a friend in Jesus. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, Grace, gratitude, Integrity, life, love, loving others, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful

Snippet

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

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Matthew 19:14

It was probably 1959. I was about five years old growing up in a world so different from today you would think that we moved to a different planet. It was a dozen days past Christmas, and it was my birthday. I’m sure there was cake, I’m sure there was a family celebration but what I remember most is the present. I’m not sure how you decide what to get a five-year-old but Daddy and Momma sure knocked it out of the park that year.

Well, it really wasn’t a truck, and it really didn’t hold ice cream but it was something special. It had three wheels, like a trike, but behind the seat it had large metal box with decals that said, “ice cream.” The handlebars had those plastic streamers on each end, the front wheel had a fender and of course, it had a bell. I can remember driving and peddling down the road in front of our house. There was little traffic so there was also little danger of getting run over.

For some reason I can remember about a quarter of mile down the road a man was building a small box house. He was singlehandedly taking on this project, and I decided to peddle down there and he was working away. I “pulled up” and asked if he would like an ice cream and the reason I remember him, his house and that day was that rather than brush me off…he played along and if I remember correctly, almost every day I would peddle down the road to see my new customer and friend. The ice cream was pretend, but his kindness was not. Looking back at this snippet of a memory, it still makes me smile.

Hanging over the fireplace in my wife’s “keeping room” is a quote by Maya Angelou. Something she said says so much. She said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” And that is the very reason I remember this man taking time from building a house to talk and befriend a five year old boy. I don’t remember his name, but I do remember his heart.

Christmas, Family, gratitude, Holidays, life, love, Military memories, priorities, Southern born, travel

Care Packages

Posted on December 21, 2021December 20, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:1

You never knew when they were coming. When God and the Air Force decided to send us to Germany—well, it was an exciting adventure that we just thoroughly enjoyed. But there was a downside…we were a long way from home…a real long way. We were there from 1977 to 1980, we were young, and we were newlyweds. Back then there were no cell phones and a landline call to the States was hugely expensive, so that just didn’t happen. There was no internet. The world moved at the speed of ship or a plane if you were lucky. The only option was snail mail and well, that could take a while.

Sometimes during the year, our parents would send us a box through the mail. We called them “care packages.” The reason was that when one came it was clear that someone back in the United States loved us and cared—about us. That was important because as much as we loved being there—there wasn’t home—or anywhere close to home.

There were two times a year that you could almost always count on a care package—that was somewhere around your birthday and then Christmas. I can still feel the excitement as the days clicked by. We didn’t know when, but we just knew that my Momma or Judy’s Momma would spend the money and equally as important take the time to say, “I love you.” We would go to the Post Office every day, looking for the yellow slip in our mailbox that said, “You have a package.” Instantly it was like Christmas Day.

We would open the box that day—that hour if possible. There would be wrapped presents and those we would save till the special day. But there would always be just stuff—candy, trinkets, small things that could only be gotten in America. Sometimes there were home baked goodies and even if they were stale by then—they were still from home, and we gladly ate them.

The care packages were an important link to home for us. Like I said, it told us that someone was thinking of us—that we had not been forgotten. What we need to realize, especially this week, is that God is the greatest sender of care packages. His ultimate gift, His Son, made the way so broken people like us could not only come into the presence of Holy God but that we could call Him Father. The Jewish people could never understand that. To them God was a far off, unapproachable Deity that they worshiped. But for Jesus followers—well we know Him as Dearest Daddy and that is not a term of disrespect or looseness—it is a term of His love for us and our love for Him.

Even amid these difficult and confusing days, God has continued to send His care packages along the way. The Bible tells us this day, and every day, is a day that He made. He makes the air that we breathe. Everything…everything…that we eat, enjoy or own is a care package from Him. Every sunrise and sunset, every perfectly different snowflake is a care package from Him. And every single night that I lay my head down on my pillow in the peace He provides—well, that’s a care package too.

Now to be honest, sometimes we would get things in our care packages from home and wonder “what in the world were they thinking?” I’m sure Judy and I laughed at more than few. But do you know what? Those things were notes of love too. And the things that God allows and sends our way that we don’t understand—well, each one in its own way is a care package.

Well, as you know, times change, and the Momma’s have moved to heaven many years ago so the days of care packages from home are gone for us. However, the memories linger, and the love is still felt from those special care package memories. But the care packages from God never change—He still sends them—every day—sometimes every minute. He just loves us so much. I hope regardless of your circumstances that you will make the choice to trust Him and to wait expectantly for His care packages. Keep looking, keep waiting, and watching because each one tells us, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Family, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, prayer, Scripture, Southern born, thankful

Forty-Five Years Ago

Posted on October 26, 2020October 25, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

It was forty-five years ago today. My life has always been steeped in church, God, and stuff. I think my older brother had something to do with that. Dad tended to be a CEO attender—you know—Christmas and Easter only. But even with that said there were other ways that he clearly showed that he and God were on good speaking terms. Two of my favorite memories are of him praying. One time he was down on his knees leading us as a family in prayer. He never stood taller. The other happened when I came home late from a date and found him talking to our Dearest Father, hands clasped and head bowed.

Now, mama was more faithful at church except when she hit a bump or two. She liked to attend and she would take us with her. No questions asked. She sang, she led one of the girl’s classes, and she too was on good terms with Jesus. But there were a couple of times when her heart got hurt and she would sit out for a little while. It was then my oldest brother would take over the taxiing job and make sure I got to church. To this day I am grateful that he did that. Because of him habitually taking me, there has never been a time when I didn’t go to church. That was good but what happened forty-five years ago was far better.

Right out of high school I joined the Air Force and ended up stationed in Valdosta, Georgia at Moody Air Force Base. Since church was such a regular part of my calendar I made it a point to go—a lot. One Wednesday night I decided to go to one of the local churches. So I got there, opened the side door and right across the room was Judy Allen. She was beautiful and right there and then I decided I liked that church—a lot.

I started attending regularly for two reasons. It was what I was used to doing and Judy was there. We started dating right away and before too long we were engaged. She was probably too young and I was probably too old but, hey, that is sometimes the way of love. Well, in June of 1975 she met someone else—another guy. Fortunately for me it was Jesus. She, like me, was raised in church but she discovered that going to church and knowing Jesus were two entirely different things. Jesus waltzed into her life and she was like a new person—an even better person—better than I deserved for sure.

Well, a few months went by and at church one morning, October 26 to be exact, I bumped into the same Man she had met. Unexpectedly the pastor told a story about a man who had gone to church all his life and then realized he had never met Jesus. You might say he was religious, but not a Jesus follower. When I heard about him, I realized that was me—I was the same way—way too religious and way short on knowing Jesus as my best friend. That morning in Valdosta, Georgia at about 10:45 in the morning I met Jesus and my life changed forever. Jesus didn’t make me perfect that day but He sure made me forgiven. He put me on a new road and well, it has been amazing.

So, for forty-five years I have walked with Jesus and here I sit today, a pastor for thirty-eight of those years and writing stories. And Judy, well, in June of 1976, we decided to walk together and we just never stopped. Me, Judy, and Jesus—it has been quite the journey. For the past forty-five years, every year, I have celebrated two birthdays. The first is January 6, the day I was physically born. But I also celebrate October 26, the day I met Jesus and was spiritually born.

Every time I write a story I love to put a big truth in it about God. Well this story is a bit different—this time the story is Jesus and what He did for me and wants to do for you. Remember, don’t make the mistake I did—confusing religion and church with Jesus. They are not the same—He is a lot better. He said that we could know the truth and the truth would set us free. Well, the truth is He loves you, no matter what, more than you can imagine. The truth is, He wants you to trust Him, to rest in Him. The truth is He’s got this. Trust me, I know.