England – Page 2 – Grits with Grace

Family, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, missions, prayer, Scripture, travel, Trials

Don’t Move

Posted on August 17, 2022August 16, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105

Sing it, Willie, sing it. It was around noon on a Tuesday in July when I could once again hear Willie’s words rolling around in my ears. Yup, we were “on the road again” and this time we were going on a really long and really big adventure. My wife Judy and I, along with a couple of our friends, were going to England on a mission trip to love on some folks from Africa who now live in England. Africa has long held a special place in our hearts, so we were really excited about serving those special folks.

You probably have already figured out that we couldn’t drive to England, and you probably also know that these days anything to do with airports and planes can be just a little chaotic. Well, this time was no different. We got checked in, they were kind enough to relieve us of our luggage and then it was time to go through security. I’ve done this enough to know the ropes. I wear pants that don’t require a belt and shoes that don’t have laces. I put everything possible in my backpack, so my pockets are all empty…just the way the security people like it. Check, check, and check. Not only was I on the road again but I was ready to roll through security.

Soon it was my turn to go through the security thingy. There are two kinds of machines that they use. First is the metal detector thingy and then there is the body scan thingy. I drew the body scan thingy. So, you step into this booth thing, put your feet on the two yellow shoe spots on the floor, raise your hands above your head and wait. The person causally says, “Don’t move” and this thing takes a picture of your whole body and makes sure you don’t have anything that you shouldn’t. Well, my rolling through security was about to hit a snag. And it all started with me trying to do the right thing.

As I stepped into the booth and raised my hands, I quickly glanced down and noticed one of my feet was not on the yellow spot. So, I slid my foot over. Unfortunately, that was just about the time that she mashed the magic button and, well, I failed the test. She asked me to step out and told me, “You moved.” Well, I said, “Well, let’s just do it again.” “Oh no,” she said, “anyone who moves get a special prize. You get to have a full body search. Please step over here.” Bewildered and wondering, I stepped over.

Soon, there was an officer, explaining and apologizing for what was about to happen. There was no magic metal detecting wand, no, he had to check me out…carefully. So, well, it wasn’t fun, it was embarrassing, and I learned an important lesson about those two words, “Don’t move.” You see, in the end it didn’t matter that my intentions were good. In the end it didn’t matter that I was trying to do the right thing. The only thing that mattered is that I moved…I broke the rules and because of that there was a price to pay. Bummer.

Well, here is the deal. That is true in airport security…trust me, I know. But it is also true in life. We often seem too think that the rules of life were meant for someone else. Or often we just assume that we can get a “do over.” Well, here is a news flash. The rules of life apply to everyone…the rich and famous and the everyday Joe. And very often, there is not a do over. There’s an old saying that says, “do the crime and you’ll do the time.” Well, I sure learned that applies to airport security. Smile.

One of the things I love to share is that when God gave us the Bible it wasn’t to hurt us…it was to help us. It wasn’t a book to put us in shackles but rather a Book to set us free. I know that when I pay attention to His Word, I have fewer regrets and smaller circumstances. Trust me…it is true. So, even if you aren’t a God person, you might want to check out the Bible. It sure seems that life just goes better when we follow His rules and take His advice.

In the Bible it says that God’s word is like a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path. If you’ve ever walked in a dark room or down a dark path, you know the value of a flashlight. Starting today, why not let the Word of God be your flashlight? Better yet why not invite God to be your guide? After all, He knows the way, has never made a mistake, and is just waiting to help you. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, gratitude, Holidays, July 4, life, love, loving others, Military memories, prayer, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials, USA, wisdom

Freedom

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

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12

It was just over a year ago. Amid the COVID craziness, Judy and I made a discovery. It was a Thursday night and we had gone to one of our favorite eating places in Marion…a town not far from where we live. We did our Sam’s Club thing and then decided to call it a night. So, we headed for 217 back in Harrisburg. As we were driving down the highway, on a whim, we made a right turn at a familiar intersection. We had driven by it so many times but this time we turned.

The sign said it went to Creal Springs, but I found out it went somewhere else—to something else. We were cruising along just enjoying the ride when I thought I saw one of those “brown signs.” These signs usually indicate a place of special interest. As I went by, I thought I saw the words cemetery and Revolutionary War. I went down the road just aways and told Judy I saw a sign for a cemetery…perhaps an old one. I turned around.

Back down the road, there was indeed a sign. We pulled off the road and it said, “Ellis Family Cemetery and Revolutionary War gravesite. I really couldn’t believe that it was true. I mean, out East you would find those kind of gravesites everywhere, but here in Southern Illinois? We decided we had to investigate. It turned out there was no road just a driveway. Well, after trying to decide if we were going to get shot for trespassing, we decided to give it a try. As it turned out, the driveway went between two houses which led to a pasture. Way at the back of the pasture we could see a small cemetery. There wasn’t a road, but I could see where a car had gone before, so off we went.

When we got there, we found the gravesite of John Ellis. He was born in 1754 and died in 1850. He lived for 96 years, which is incredible, but even more amazing…he fought in the American Revolutionary War. He had two monuments. One was much newer, one much older. The older one simply said, “For Military Merit” and someone had painted his name on it. I was overwhelmed. Here in Southern Illinois was the grave of a man, a hero, who fought for the birth of our country.

This man was there, on the battlefield, when a group of men and women declared our freedom from England. This.man.was.there. He put it all on the line for a cause greater than himself. And for the last 245 years that is what freedom loving American heroes have done. Through conflicts great and small they have served, they have bled, and many have died. I value the saying, “All gave some, some gave all.” I value the sacrifice of all of these freedom fighters through the centuries and decades. I also love what they fought for.

I know these are difficult times for our nation, but we have seen difficult times before. At his first inauguration on March 4, 1933, Franklin Roosevelt said this. “This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive, and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” Don’t rush past those words. They are powerful and they are worth believing.

I believe in this country. I believe that even with all its warts and imperfections it is still the best country in the world. Having visited well over twenty other countries, I’ve seen the competition and America wins hands down. I spent an Independence Day in basic training for the Air Force in 1972. Lights-out was about 8:00 pm and I was lying in my bunk when the fireworks starting going off. I crept out of bed and went to the window and watched as the fireworks exploded in the Texas sky. Two emotions came over me. One, I missed family. Somewhere in Florida they were celebrating freedom. The other though was more personal. I was becoming an American airman serving my country. I was one of her defenders and I was proud…proud to serve and proud to be an American.

So, please, don’t blow past Independence Day this Sunday and certainly don’t give up on America. We have weathered many storms and we can weather these stormy days…if we do what we have done in the past and that is trust God. It is no accident that we have fought and won, it is no accident that we have survived and even thrived for the past 245 years. It was more than sacrifice, more than guts, more than determination…it was and is the grace of God.

The Book says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” That is so true. As a nation when we choose God, when we choose to make Him ours, we do better. When we don’t, we don’t. It is just that simple. The second part of that verse is equally important. God is still inviting, calling people to be His. Skin color doesn’t matter, economic status doesn’t matter, creed doesn’t matter. He simply invites every man, woman, and child to be His. The invitation is open, and the decision is personal…individual.

So, God bless America. If you are a God follower, a God believer, why not start this Independence Day with a whispered prayer of thanks for this great country. And then, pause, be still and listen for surely the Whisperer will whisper. He may speak through His Word, He may speak through another person, or a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Regardless, He will whisper, “You can rest in Me. I’ve got this.” Bro. Dewayne

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

Sharing

Posted on March 24, 2021March 23, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.” Hebrews 13:16

My Mama taught me to share. When there are a bunch of kids and other family members in a family you learn two contradicting lessons. First, you need to share. Often, especially when it comes to the good things on a dinner table, the demand usually exceeds supply. You know, nine people and eight pieces of pie. So, you cut the pieces smaller. That is sharing. The other lesson is you need to act fast. We all know the adage that the early bird gets the worm or the one who eats his or her pie the fastest gets a shot at the last piece. That is not sharing.

Sharing and putting others first are Jesus things. He was the only guy who could go to any event and be the star of the show. Be it a wedding, a funeral, or a banquet and bam…He was the most important person in the room. But the funny thing is you never see that. You always see Him at the back of the line. The only time He was first in line was the line for the cross. That was a very short line—in fact, it was only one deep and He was ready and willing to go because He loved us so much.

He was willing to share His righteousness too. We didn’t have any of our own, so He gave us His. The Bible says that our righteousness was like filthy rags, so He shared, in fact, He gave. Its pretty amazing. There are somethings we shouldn’t share like something told in private and maybe a cold. But, as a general rule we should be people who love to share. And that is where I need your help.

Over the last year lots of folks have been reading Grits. Through our church email list, the Grits Facebook page, and through the gritswithgrace.com blog, people have been reading. I want you know just how incredible I think that is. My goal is to be an encourager and maybe even make you smile. But most importantly, I want to share a big truth that helps us as we do life…together.

So, that is where you come in. I am wondering if you would be willing to share Grits with those in your world? The guy who wrote Hebrews (great name for a coffee shop by the way) said that we should do good things and share because God is pleased with that. That might even apply to Grits. Sign up for the blog, share on Facebook, or share in an email, it’s all sharing a word of encouragement.

Something happened last week that I thought was so cool. I was notified by email that someone had read one of the Grits’ stories and decided to start following the blog. That means every day they will get an email with that day’s story. Sometimes, people just stumble onto the Grits blog, who knows how that happens? But what made this so special was this someone was a cabdriver in Southampton, England. What? Yup. And I thought that was pretty cool. So, a special thanks to our friend there.

My wife Judy checked (the blog tracks locations) and we have had Grits’ readers from several countries and from a chunk of the states here in America. And it usually happens because someone searches and finds a story, or someone shares it. So, would you be willing to make it a daily habit to share your Grits? It isn’t about just getting more readers but rather, it is about maybe encouraging someone who needs a lift on any given day. Together we can be encouragers and hey, the more the merrier.

This last year has been a big challenge but I love the fact that God is bigger than any challenge we face. I try and make that a regular theme as I write. Life is pretty tough to go it alone and I believe that He is more than ready to walk with us. So, thanks again for reading and thanks for sharing. Oh, and by the way, for those of you who comment…thanks for that too. I try and respond, and it is always an encouragement. Well, outside night is turning to day, so it must be time to see what today holds. One thing is sure…we can face it together with Him because as always, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne