God is in control – Grits with Grace

Family, Grace, gratitude, life, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

Rainy Days

Posted on September 30, 2024September 23, 2024 by Dewayne Taylor

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

It was just another love note. It seems this love note thing happens all the time. A love note is when there is something, a crisis, a life bump or just something we need a little help with and well, Calvary shows up. I always think it is God’s way of helping me out. He knows and He cares. I remember a time it happened a while back. First, it had been dry and overnight God turned on the faucet and sent several inches of rain. We so needed it. The farmers needed it, the gardeners needed it and the people who find some twisted joy in mowing grass needed it. And it came in abundance.

So, God has blessed us with a really great home. We like older homes, and this one qualifies in anyone’s book. Best we can tell, the core of the house was built in 1898 with a couple of additions added by a couple of brothers after World War II. The house is brick (part of the post-World War II renovation) and has some great 1940’s trim work inside. Like I said, we are blessed. But there is one thing I wish we didn’t have and that is a wet basement. When it rains a lot quickly, we get water in our basement. Fortunately, we have a good drain, so it usually runs across the floor and into the drain and it is no more than an annoyance. That is…until it is not.

Well, the morning of the big rain, Judy came and got me and told me we had a shallow swimming pool in the basement. This produced a groan and a moan. Before I even saw the Red Sea that had gathered in my basement, I was thinking plumbers and dollar signs. What if the drainpipe had collapsed? What if they had to dig up the yard? What if I had to sell my first born to pay for all of this? It was the old “Lions, tigers and bears, oh my” reaction which is typical for me when I hear there is a small sea in my basement.

So, I followed her down and sure enough there was about three or four feet (just kidding) of water in my basement. I told her I would call the plumber after a while and see what needed to be done. Then…I had a thought. I decided I would walk over to the drain and see if the problem was there. I put on my scuba gear and got my shark repellant and headed over to the drain. There is a strainer over the drain and the first thing I did was remove that. When I looked it was indeed pretty clogged up and when I removed it the water did begin to drain…some.

It was time for phase two. I stuck my finger down into the drain hole and immediately a giant anaconda grabbed my finger…no just kidding. What I did find was a piece of wire that had either got under or through the cover in the drain and it was covered with slimy stuff. I pulled that out and bam…the water started draining faster…fast enough to make that little tornado thing that happens when water is draining good. Soon, the water was gone, and I was smiling again.

I was thanking God, and Judy, my wife, was thanking God because we both knew that He had acted on our behalf. You see, our default reaction these days is no matter how routine, no matter how everyday—we are learning to thank God and give Him the glory. And do you know what? We do it because we believe it. We just believe that from the smallest to the biggest it is God acting on our behalf. We just refuse to believe things are circumstance and happenstance. We believe in a God who is into the details. Now all that doesn’t mean that things always turn up roses. No, we have our share of dandelions too, but we are learning to thank God for those too because He can and does turn dandelions into daisies.

A verse I quote a lot and that holds a lot of value in my world is found in a letter Paul wrote to the Romans about 2,000 years ago. It was true then and it is true now. It says that God can cause good to come out of any circumstances…for those who trust and believe in Him. It doesn’t mean that He snaps His finger, and everything is good but that He can bring good from everything. So, as you bump along life’s path and you have a flat tire on a rainy Monday or a basement full of water, just remember, no matter the outcome…God loves you and cares about you. Before you call the plumber, talk to Him. You may still have to call the plumber, but you can have the assurance that, “He’s got this.” Oh, and if my house is up for sale and you are thinking about buying it…forget what I about the basement. Smile. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, friends, gratitude, life, loving others, thankful, travel

Safe…Again

Posted on August 8, 2023August 7, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

I did it once…so why not twice? So, a couple of years ago I manned up and did something I was very uneasy about doing. So, what was it? Well, I agreed to go with my wife Judy on the annual youth canoe trip. The reason I was so uneasy with this thing was the fact that there was at least a reasonable probability that Judy and I would get caught in the current and end up in the drink (aka in the water). And that—would mean two things. First, a quick and shockingly cold bath in the spring fed river and second, the task of getting back into the canoe without totally embarrassing myself.

Well, it turns out that Judy and I were able to avoid the drink which means I avoided the shockingly cold bath and the difficult task of trying to get back into the canoe. Of course, as it turned out, the water was often only a foot and a half deep so that wasn’t going to be an issue anyway! The bottom line is we had a great time and while I certainly didn’t commit to ever going again…I realized it was a possibility.

Last year, we went on a mission trip to England to minister to some Africans who had migrated there and honestly, I was not too disappointed that it just happened to hit at the same time as the canoe trip. While I enjoyed the first trip and escaped certain death and danger by going in the frigid drink, I was hesitant to go again. England saved my life. And, then it happened…another opportunity.

Well, just like clockwork August rolled around again and again we had an opportunity to go. After hem and hawing around, I finally left the decision up to Judy. Bad idea—we were soon booked…and here is the funny part. Even though I knew what to expect, my old fears kept me from looking forward to the trip. But…I manned up—we went…and get ready…had a great time.

Yup, we had a great time of fellowship and fun and the food was great too. And guess what? We made it again without going into the drink…but Judy came very, very close. Smile. I rediscovered that nothing makes you feel young like hanging around with a gaggle of teenagers enjoying life! Then add to that I was in the boat with Judy and on their first canoeing outing was one of our daughters, her husband, and their tribe and it was just good.

The truth is though, given half a minute I would have missed it all…held back by a little fear and some very cold water. So, I write all of this to tell you sometimes you just need to go with it. Lay your fear down and enjoy the journey. The regret of saying no and not going would have been so much greater than going in the drink. I’m learning that my Dearest Daddy really is for me, really is there to help and really, always, has everything under control. He can be trusted. He’s got this…period. Bro. Dewayne

Family, fear, life, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful

April Snow

Posted on April 22, 2021April 21, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17

Surprise, surprise, surprise. Three of Gomer Pyle’s favorite words. If you are old enough that name means something. If you are not, well, your only comment would be, “Who would name their kid Gomer?” Well, I guess Mr. and Mrs. Pyle did. Gomer was a television character from the sixties who started in the Andy Griffith Show and then later had his own show called, “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” That’s right…this most unlikely of candidates joins the Marines and proceeds to drive Sergeant Carter, his drill sergeant and boss, crazy. If you can find it somewhere, and you like just crazy comedy, it might be worth your time.

On both shows Gomer had this high pitch, country twangy voice that really fit his character. But here’s the funny part…he actually had an incredibly rich baritone singing voice. It was so unexpected…kinda like a beautiful song coming from a barnyard chicken. He managed quite a career as an actor and as a singer. Sometimes it is the unexpected that keeps life interesting.

So, last night, a Tuesday and a little past the middle of April, something happened that was really unexpected. It snowed. While the ground was warm enough that it didn’t stick, it snowed to beat the band. Now if this was Alaska it wouldn’t be a deal, but this is Southern Illinois. Southern Illinois, as in, we are in full blown Spring. Southern Illinois, as in, flowers blooming, trees budding and grass growing. Just like Gomer’s rich baritone voice…this was totally unexpected. We had to haul plants into our garage and cover up what we could in hopes of saving them from the freeze. We will see.

Although the weather folks had let us know a little ahead of time, that didn’t change the fact that this was unseasonable and unexpected. To some degree it caught them and us off guard. And, honestly, that is often the case in life. Things come and go and sometimes we see them a mile down the road and sometimes, like Gomer, all we can say is “Surprise, surprise, surprise.” I know our third child was a surprise…at least to us. Of course, there was Someone who knew all about it. Wondering who?

That “Who” would be God. Have you ever thought about the fact that God never says, “Oops?” How about this? Have you ever thought about the fact that God has never, and will never say, “Sure didn’t see that one coming.” Nope, with God there is never an oops and He is never surprised. From the beginning of history here on planet earth until He decides to call it a day, nothing ever catches Him off guard. Nothing. I like that…a lot. Things may catch us off guard but Him, …never. I like what Paul said in the New Testament. He let us know that not only did God create all things, He is the One who holds it all together. That means no matter how much it seems like the world is crumbling around us…it’s not…at least not without His permission.

I hope we are done with the “surprise” April snow storms and freezing temps. For me, once was enough. And while we are at it, I also hope we are done with the 2020’s of life and the pandemics. I guess the truth is, only God knows. However, that fact alone gives me peace. The God who made it all knows all about it. All I have to do is to remember to trust Him and believe that He will be there whenever whatever happens. Even if it snows in July, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne