giving – Grits with Grace

Christmas, gratitude, life, loving others, missions, Scripture

Christmas in July

Posted on July 30, 2025July 29, 2025 by Dewayne Taylor

“You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35

Christmas in July? The other day, I heard Christmas music seeping from the direction of my wife Judy’s home office. I wandered a little closer and discovered that what I thought I heard was indeed what I did hear—Christmas music. As it turns out, she was just in the mood. You see, Christmas music is so enjoyable, and she asked why save it for just a few weeks, once a year? Why indeed? So, she continued to play the music of “that most wonderful time of the year” and she enjoyed it and so did I.

After all, who said we could only celebrate Christmas in December. Why not July? It turns out that Christmas in July is not a new “thing.” For years a few things would pop up with the idea and theme of “Christmas in July.” In fact, our church recently did something very Christmas like. We packed Operation Christmas Child boxes in preparation for them being shipped around the world to children in need in some of the neediest places there are.

The boxes have a few toiletry items like soap, a toothbrush, a comb, and a washcloth. Then there are always some school supplies and finally a few small toys. Sometimes the boxes for the 10-14 boys get some simple tools. Now here in America, the box would only garner a quick glance and a yawn but where these boxes are headed—well, it will be like our Christmas morning…no matter the date they arrive. And trust me…Operation Christmas Child is one of the most splendid things we can do for the others in this world who have so little.

So, let me encourage you to pack a shoebox…oh, definitely this November and December…but why not right now…in July? In fact, why not pack one every month? When you think of the excitement those kids will experience and then add to the fact that a local pastor will share the Good News of Christmas too, well it is quite the deal. So let me wish you a very Merry Christmas in July and let me remind you what the Christmas Child taught us…it is more blessed to give than to receive…whether it is July or December.

Christmas is God’s great idea…that His Son would come to earth, can you imagine that? God becoming a little baby, all for the purpose of showing His love for us. He cared enough that He provided a way for all of us who choose to repent and believe in Him, so that we can be a part of His family…having the right to call Him, “Dearest Daddy.” Having the right to know that no matter what, He will take care of us. Knowing that no matter what…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, gratitude, life, school days, Scripture, Southern born, spiritual battles, thankful

Money Tip

Posted on September 9, 2024September 7, 2024 by Dewayne Taylor

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” 1 Timothy 6:10

I never considered myself an entrepreneur but looking back…maybe I am. Fortunately, I was raised by a Momma and Daddy who believed in a strong work ethic. While they weren’t overbearing about it, I grew up knowing that I should get a job and go to work. It must have worked because over all my working years I have always managed to have a job and go to work. I consider that quite a blessing. Looking back, I think my working career really started when I was about ten years old.

In the early sixties, we had an old lawn mower or two that had seen better days but my Daddy, ever the mechanic, managed to keep them running. And then, he was willing to let me borrow the mower and go around the neighborhood offering to mow people’s yards. Today, that is big business but back then…not so much. I would grab the lawn mower, the gas can and start going door to door. My business plan was simple.

I would go to the door, knock, or ring the bell and wait for someone to answer. When they did, I would simply say, “Hello. Would you like your grass mowed for $2.00? Now, most of these yards were a pretty good size so even back then that seemed like a fair price to me…but guess what? That $2.00 then is equal to $27.40 today. What? Ok, I must admit I was surprised to learn that. That might explain why more often than not, the answer to my question was a polite, “No.” You see, it turns out that $2.00 was a sizable investment back in ’64.

But there were plenty of folks that said yes, and there were a few repeat customers. The bottom line is it was enough to give me some spending money and, of course, keep the gas can filled. At the end of the day there was always a trip to Jackson’s Minute Market that was down the street from my house. There I would pull out one of the wadded-up dollar bills and trade part of it for a RC cola or Icee and a honey bun. That would set me back a quarter. The rest of my earnings stayed in my pocket or in a safe place back home just waiting for a trip to Pic-N-Save or some other store.

Speaking of Pic-N-Save, that is one thing I wrestled with—saving. If memory serves me right, I did a whole lot more spending than saving. It seems I remember my Daddy saying something about that money, “burning a hole in my pocket.” Well, he was right. While money didn’t come easy for me in ’64 it sure went easy. Me and my dollars were all about me. I never thought about giving or sharing…only spending.

Well, I am glad to let you know I have learned a little more about money since those days. First, I learned (well, actually I’m still learning) that Jesus was right…it is more blessed to give than to receive. Me and Jesus (and my wife Judy) came to terms a long time ago about giving back a part of what He gives to me. I’m even learning that everything belongs to Him anyway, so it only seems right to give some back. And that isn’t all.

I’m also learning about saving. I’ve always said that I was a spender and not a saver but now I can honestly say that I’m a pretty good saver. In fact, sometimes it is hard for me to let go of those hard-earned dollars. That might explain why I don’t go to the grocery store too often. Judy will send me looking for a can of beans. When I get there, I find out that there are all kinds of beans, and some are cheaper than others. So, it might take me a couple of days to decide which one to buy. Hmmm…how about that?

Another thing that I have learned is that money isn’t good or bad…it is just money…a tool that we can use either wisely or foolishly. One of those verses in the Bible that is often misquoted says that money is the root of all evil. Turns out that isn’t what the Bible says at all. It says that the love of money is the root of all evil. In other words, when we start worshiping money or when greed becomes a monster in our lives…we are in deep weeds, and the answer to all of that is—generosity.

So, it turns out what to do with money is one of those lifelong lessons. I’m grateful the ten-year-old Dewayne was taught to work but I wish he had learned a lot earlier about giving, sharing, and saving. But the good news is that it is never too late to change. One of the greatest joys in life is sharing with others. I think it must be a Jesus thing because He always shared with those around Him. If you need some help, why not ask the One who owns it all…and chooses to share with you. Take it to the bank (pun intended) He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Christmas, Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, Holidays, life, love, loving others, Scripture, Southern born, sovereignty of God, thankful

I Love Christmas

Posted on December 22, 2023December 21, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

I said it before, I’ve written it before, but I’ll say it again, I’ll write it again. Once again, it is almost Christmas Eve. I have celebrated Christmas Eve sixty-nine times. Granted I don’t remember some of the earlier ones and I guess to be honest I don’t remember a lot of them, but I remember enough to know that each one was special. When I was growing up it was all about family, food and presents. My Momma and Daddy did such an incredible job of making sure each Christmas was electric with excitement. While there are several special memories, some were just bigger than others. One particular Christmas, my sister had asked for a chord organ. Now that was a big gift and yet I can remember lying in bed…all three of us little ones in one bed for that special night, and hearing through the thin walls the magical sounds of that organ. Santa had come.

The next morning, with a house filled with family, we would celebrate with gifts, some large, some small, but all given and wrapped with love. Later would come a big meal and prayers of gratitude for a good God who loved us and blessed us. Many more Christmas Eves have come and gone. Some were challenging, like when my Daddy was still recovering from a heart attack, some were much smaller like when it was just my wife, Judy and me sitting in a small village in Germany serving our country. The crowd was smaller, but the love was just as big.

Later, we had children and Christmas began to take on a whole new dimension. Judy and I became more the giver than the receiver. We had the opportunity to do for them like my parents had done for me. We watched with joy as their faces lit up with happiness as each gift was unwrapped. Clothes and toys with an occasional bike or hamster thrown in the mix are all part of the memory. But through it all, one thing remained a constant…love…love for each other and experiencing the love of a God who won’t, who can’t stop…loving.

Now, well, the Christmas journey continues. Our children have grown up and all three of them have kids of their own and Christmas isn’t less…it is more. At some point and despite busy schedules, we will get together and love, and celebrate and be thankful for each other and for the One who makes it possible. In my experiences of Christmas, I have discovered that it isn’t the circumstances that make Christmas Eve or Christmas morning special or not. It is not the bounty of presents or the location, no, it is love. My favorite Christmas verse from the Bible says it all, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Now that is a Christmas verse.

God doesn’t want anyone to miss Christmas with Him and that is why He threw open the front door and hung out the welcome sign. He simply says, “Ya’ll come home for Christmas.” No matter who, no matter what, you are welcome home for Christmas. I know growing up things weren’t always perfect in the Taylor tribe but for the most part we did manage to love each other and I’m glad we did. Looking back on those Christmas Eve’s there are many more good memories, and the reason why is the choice to love. He chose to love us, so maybe, just maybe, we can choose to do the same. If you listen this Christmas Eve, you may just hear the Whisperer whisper, “Merry Christmas, I love you and I’ve got this.” Bro. Dewayne

Christmas, Family, Grace, gratitude, Holidays, life, love, loving others, priorities, Scripture, Southern born, thankful, Trials

The Great Anticipation

Posted on November 30, 2023November 29, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

It always started just about…now. Being an adult is fun most of the time…except when the boss decides he doesn’t need you any more…or maybe when there is more month than money…or when you realize your kids really are smarter than you. But by and large…adulthood is pretty good…but nothing compared to being a kid. When you’re a kid, you don’t worry about bosses (besides your parents) or there being more month than money and at least when I was a kid, it was good to know that Momma and Daddy were smarter than me. Yup, I think being a kid back then, won almost every time.

And that is part of the reason I love this time of year…the time of the great anticipation. I know I’ve written about things like wish books before, but I just can’t help going back in time once again. They would come just before the first of December from all the major players—Sears, J.C. Penney’s, Montgomery Ward, and I think one from Aidens. The Christmas edition was always skinnier than the regular ones that came in Spring and Fall but that was ok because the Christmas edition was jam-packed with everything—Christmas. Decorations, clothing, and other gift ideas filled all the pages and of course color pictures of all the latest and greatest toys. I’m drooling.

I remember and I can feel and still experience the great anticipation. As I would flip through the pages this was one time I did more than just look at the pictures…I read all the descriptions of all the toys that I wanted Santa to bring me. I would dog-ear the pages, circle certain items and of course, start a list. I even went as far as to write letters…notes…to Santa and Momma and Daddy (I decided to cover all my bases) explaining how good I had been and the reason I deserved this toy or that. After all the work was done, I would wait…anticipating the great day—Christmas—Christmas morning.

I don’t know how Santa and Momma and Daddy pulled it off but somehow, they did. No, we didn’t receive everything we wanted but we received so much. And guess what? Many times, we received things, grand things, that I forgot to even ask for. It was an amazing time. Oh, to be a kid. Well, what if I tell you that those days aren’t totally gone? What if the great anticipation isn’t a distant memory but an everyday fact of life?

Well, every person who plants their faith in God’s Son has the privilege of calling God, Father. And what a grand Father He is—you might say He is a great, grand Father and oh yes, the play on words is intentional. You see God loves us so much, after all that is what Christmas is all about. And as a loving, caring Father He desires and loves to meet the needs of His kids. Does He give us anything and everything? Thankfully no. But what He does do is know what we need and supply those needs. It may come in different ways but regardless we can rest in the assurance that He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Christmas, Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, missions, prayer, priorities, Scripture, thankful

Christmas in July

Posted on July 27, 2023July 26, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35

After all, who said we could only celebrate Christmas in December. Why not July? It turns out that Christmas in July is not a new “thing.” For years a few things would pop up with the idea and theme of “Christmas in July.” In fact, tonight at the church where I pastor, we did something very Christmas like. We packed Operation Christmas Child boxes in preparation for them being shipped around the world to children in need in some of the neediest places there are.

The boxes have a few toiletry items like soap, a toothbrush, a comb, and a washcloth. Then there are always some school supplies and finally a few small toys. In fact, the boxes for the 10-14 boys tonight got some simple tools. Now here in America, the box would only garner a quick glance and a yawn but where these boxes are headed—well, it will be like our Christmas morning…no matter the date they arrive. And trust me…Operation Christmas Child is one of the most splendid things we can do for the others in this world who have so little.

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

Learning to Speak Love

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

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35b

It was, well, amazing. I like to receive presents. I love to receive presents. Some guy wrote a book about the five love languages and basically, he said that everyone has at least one love language. If you want to “ring someone’s bell” or “top off their love tank”, you do it by speaking their love language. Well, my two primary love languages are gifts and words of affirmation. Every time one of you leaves a kind comment about Grits, the nozzle goes in my love tank and fills it up. How about that?

Well, my other love language is this gift thing. When someone gives me something, it just rings my bell. Several years ago, a friend visited Gettysburg and brought me back a set of coasters. It was totally unexpected, and it just rang my bell. He probably thought, “What’s the deal, dude? It is only a set of coasters.” But no, it was more. It said, “I thought of you.” And, several years later it still brings a smile to my face. We have a couple of good friends that like to travel, and they often bring me a souvenir of their travels and it is always blesses me. Boom—a full love tank.

Well, something happened last year that was pretty awesome. We have a family who is part of our church family, and they are just a special group of people. It is hard to put a finger on it but words like authentic and caring come to mind. Well, after church one day, the mom in this family came up to me and was just beaming—and I mean beaming with joy and excitement. Her entire countenance said, “Something good had happened.” I wasn’t sure what it was, but I couldn’t wait to hear what it was. I was in for a surprise.

Here is what tumbled out of her mouth. “We bought you something and I couldn’t wait to tell you. I know I was supposed to wait but I just couldn’t. I saw this on Facebook and said, “We have to buy this for Bro. Dewayne.” She bubbled and bubbled, and I was in awe. The gift was the “Fingerprint” of God. It was a print in the shape of a fingerprint and the fingerprint was made from a scripture from each book in the Bible. It sounded amazing and when it came in and they gave it to me, it was. It will soon have a home in my church office, and it will have a story…this story.

You see, the gift really was amazing, but the unseen gift was equally so. What was the unseen gift? It was their—her—unbridled, unlimited joy and enthusiasm in not “getting” a gift but “giving” one. Her joy in giving this special print to me, her friend, and her pastor, touched me and taught me. It touched me that this special family made a sacrifice and bought me this gift. It taught me that just like Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I have heard that verse for many, many years and have seen it on display at different levels. But this time…this act of love taught me what it really means.

I have to wonder if this is what it is like when a person comes to follow Jesus for the first time. I mean the Bible says God throws a party. The Bible says that all heaven breaks loose when someone comes home. I can just imagine the smile on Jesus’ face when a person He loves and died for finally gets it and trusts Him. I bet it looks at least something like the face of this family and especially my friend who shared the news with me, “We bought you something.” We want to..wait for it…not get but give. Amazing.

Though I love to travel and try and go to Africa once a year, I have always struggled with learning a new language. But I wonder if that might need to change? Maybe today, maybe this week, maybe I, maybe you, need to learn a new language. No, I’m not talking Swahili—I’m talking about someone’s love language. Someone in your world, your spouse, your kids, your neighbor ,or maybe someone else. Learn what tops their love tank and do it.

The guy who wrote the book says the love languages are gifts, words of affirmation, acts of service, physical touch, and quality time. Why not learn and practice someone’s love language today? If you are like me and struggle with learning (I can barely speak English), just ask the Father for a little help. He will be more than glad to help you. He loves it when His kids can speak love. Yup…He’s got that too. Bro. Dewayne

Family, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, missions, priorities, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

Shoeless Service

Posted on January 14, 2021January 13, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” Luke 6:35

It was a dark and stormy night. Well, it really wasn’t but I’ve always wanted to begin a story that way. But for one man it was, and this is his story. Years ago, my son-in-law, Blake, and daughter, Sarah, were talking a walk on Church Street—a road that runs about a block behind where we live. It is just one of the many side streets in town but that night it was something more. As they walked, they noticed a man coming toward them. He was obviously having a tough time—like I said, it was a dark and stormy night—at least for this lonely man.

His head was low as he shuffled his feet and pushed his bike. As he got closer, when some people would have crossed to the other side of the street, Blake and Sarah took the time to greet the man. His eyes told the story. He was an Army veteran who had fallen on hard times. He told how he had been refused treatment at the Veteran’s Center. He shared how memories of a band of brothers who would have stood with him were fading fast. His uniform that night was dirty and tattered, but his shoes told the story.

Blake, looked down, and while there were shoes on his soiled feet, not much of what used to be remained. The shoes he had on were way too small but that didn’t matter for much of the toes were blown open. He told a little more of his story and each word made it clear that it wasn’t just a stormy day for this veteran…it was days, weeks, months, and years. It would have been easy for the young couple to listen and mumble some semblance of a “I’m sorry” or maybe a “God bless you.” But they didn’t—more specifically Blake didn’t.

As Blake was looking down at his feet—he saw his own. His feet were shod in one of his favorite pair of tennis shoes—in nearly new condition. And then something amazing, something very Jesus like, happened. Without a word, he reached down and began to untie his shoes. Then he slipped his shoes off and handed them to the tired, banged up veteran. I’m not sure what he said—maybe nothing. But perhaps the gift said it all. Perhaps the gift said better than any words could, “I care. I feel your pain.”

So, after the exchange they went their separate ways. He continued down the block and they finished their walk. I believe that both the tattered veteran and the young couple left different that night. Perhaps the man’s day was not quite as stormy as it was before his encounter with love. Perhaps he didn’t feel quite as hopeless—quite as alone. I know Blake and Sarah were changed. When they got back to our house after their walk, they shared their story. It wasn’t, a “hey, look what I did” but rather a “look what God did” kind of moment. We cried. Jesus encounters will do that to you.

As we take our walks in this thing called life, there will always be multiple opportunities to do the right thing, the extraordinary thing, the uncommon thing. Sometimes they will be disguised but often, they are in plain sight. A struggling single mom, a senior adult trying to manage one too many bags, a challenged adult or child who needs a smile and the list goes on and on. Jesus, the God-man, did plenty of amazing, brazen things during His life here. The part we know the most about only lasted just over 1,000 days. And in those days, He impacted His known world and in the days since then the entire world.

There used to be a saying that was tossed around in our everyday Jesus walk lives. It simply said, “W.W.J.D.” or “What would Jesus do?” It has long since been cast aside now but the truth of those four letters or four words still ring with power. What.Would.Jesus.Do? One thing is for sure. It would include a multitude of acts of kindness to the most unlikely of candidates and it would be done in the name of love. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” What powerful words. What life changing words. The thought of doing this is counter-cultural and it might stretch you a bit but don’t worry— “He’s got this.”