remembering – Grits with Grace

Family, friends, life, love, loving others, marriage, Scripture

The Power of Remembering

Posted on June 23, 2026June 22, 2026 by Dewayne Taylor

“But then I recall all You have done, O LORD; I remember Your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about Your mighty works.” Psalm 77:11-12

Remember not to forget. You know, God is big on this remembering thing. When Jesus was just about done with His mission here, He met with His disciples on a Thursday night and did two important things. He washed their feet and served them a special supper. Washing their feet was to remind them that they were supposed to serve one another. And, just in case, one or two or all of them thought they were too important to serve He told them just like He the Master was willing to wash their feet so they should be ready and willing to wash the feet of others. Just a gentle nudge in the right direction. They would need it.

He also served supper that night. It was a simple affair jam packed with meaning. He took a loaf of bread and invited them to have a piece. He explained that the bread represented His body that would soon be broken on a Roman cross. Then, He gave them a sip of wine and explained that the wine represented His blood that would soon be spilt on a Roman cross. He told them as often as they ate the bread or drank the wine, they should remember–remember Him, remember what He did and why He did it. They would need that too.

While there are plenty of things we need to forget–you know, the sticks and stones and broken bones caused by harsh words and actions of friends and enemies, there are plenty of things we need to remember. In other words we need to forget the bad stuff done to us and remember the good things done for us. Let the bad go and hug the good. That is true with God stuff but it is just as true in our daily walk about life. And, it is especially true in love and marriage.

Recently I discovered something that was literally a game changer. When they invented the iPhone and all its cousins, they also invented the portable, go anywhere camera. If you are like most people we now can snap digital pictures all day long. Snap one here and snap one there. They have no development fees so feel free to snap away. Unfortunately we tend to never look at them. They are usually just filed away. Well, this game changer is a feature featured on my iPhone. Let me explain.

You see, I have the ability to search for all the pictures I have on my phone of my sweet wife Judy. Then, I can tell the iPhone to show them when I mash the magic button to turn the screen on. Wait there is more. Then I can tell it to show a different picture every time I do that. So whenever I get ready to use my phone, a different picture of a different adventure with my wife Judy shows up on the screen. Each one reminds me in full and living color of why I love her so much–and why I love our live together. It has been like a fresh breeze of our lives together and it is awesome.

So, if you have a smartphone, be sure and see if it has this feature and turn it on. You can choose your spouse, your kids or both of them, your pet, or your walk about life. But in the process you are going to remember all the things we have to be thankful for–and most likely–it will be a bunch. Oh, and you are also going to be reminded how many times God has whispered in your ear, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this” and that will be a whole bunch too. Bro. Dewayne

Grace, gratitude, life, prayer, priorities, Scripture, thankful

The Power of Remembering

Posted on September 11, 2025September 9, 2025 by Dewayne Taylor

“Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

It was a beautiful Sunday morning in December 1941…of course, almost every day in Hawaii is a beautiful day. The skies were blue, the breeze was gentle, and it was the one day when at least some of the sailors and soldiers could sleep in. Then, at 7:55 am Hawaii time, a swarm of Japanese aircraft attacked without warning killing 2,403 military and civilians. In a brief moment in time the United States was at war with Japan and was thrown into World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt famously called December 7th, “a day that will live in infamy.” The battle cry throughout the Pacific War was “Remember Pearl Harbor.”

Fast forward with me sixty years. It was a beautiful Tuesday morning in September 2001. The sky was a deep blue without a cloud in the sky and then it happened. Without warning, at 8:06 am EDT, a hijacked airliner crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. A short time later, at 9:03 am EDT, the South Tower was also struck. Unbelievably, a third airliner crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 am EDT, with a final airliner, most likely destined for Washington D.C., crashed into a Pennsylvania field at 10:03 am. In all, these attacks killed 2,977 innocent people…more than the attack on Pearl Harbor. The cry after September 11th or 9/11, was, “We will never forget.”

Though it is hard to believe, 24 years have come and gone since that horrific morning in September. Most can remember exactly what they were doing that day as the events unfolded on national television. In a brief moment in time, our world was changed forever. As we observe what is now called Patriot Day, we must renew our vow to never forget those tragic minutes and the days, weeks, months and years that followed.

I well remember how for a brief moment in time our country stood united. While it didn’t last long, only a couple of days, it showed us, it taught us, the power and beauty of unity. But then, as always, finger pointing and blame throwing ruled the day and unity slipped through our fingers like loosely held sand. And if we are not careful, time will further rob us of the reverence owed to so many and the honor for those who gave their lives trying to save others. And that too would be a tragedy.

On this 24th observance of 9/11, I hope you will join millions of others and make sure we never forget. Take time to pause and reflect and remember. I know these are difficult days and in so many ways we are frustrated and filled with doubt and fear. But remember two things. First and foremost, the God who created all of this is greater than any circumstance that we may face. He knows our past and is willing to forgive. And He knows the future and is willing to walk with us. Don’t lose hope and don’t lose faith. He is able and willing.

Let me also encourage you not to lose hope in America. With all her warts and flaws she is still the best country in the world. Having visited a couple of dozen countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia, I can tell you there is no place like America. Rare is the country where people are free to worship and live like we do. In the New Testament book called the Gospel of John, many people decided to no longer follow Jesus. He looked at His followers and said, “Will you leave me too?” One of them spoke up and said, “Where would we go? You alone have the words of life.” That is so true and before we throw America under the bus, be sure you know the answer to the question, “Where would you go.” There is no place like home and no place like America.

So, let’s not forget. Let’s show the world we are a people that remember so we can honor. Let’s show the world that while we are not perfect, we do believe in our God and our country. God made a promise to His people, and it is one that we can claim for ourselves. He said, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sins and heal their land.” It was true for them, and it is true for any people willing to put God first. To sum it all up, it simply means…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, food, life, money, school days, Scripture

Penny Candy

Posted on July 7, 2025July 6, 2025 by Dewayne Taylor

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Philippians 3:13

A while back I was walking in the Sam’s parking lot heading to, you guessed it, Sam’s to get a couple of items. As I was walking along, I saw something shiny and guess what? It was a quarter. Now, I am a coin picker upper. Every coin, from a penny to whatever, usually ends up in my pocket. I must admit sometimes pennies don’t make the cut but an example from my past usually causes me to pause and bend down. I had a good friend named Andy at Cobden, one of my previous pastorates. He is the one that taught me not to pass up any coin so in honor of him…I usually stop and bend down.

Well, back at Sam’s, on that particular day, my treasure was a quarter. First, I know, it may have had some germs on it but hey…what money doesn’t? And second, a quarter doesn’t sound like much, but I remember a time when it was a whole lot. That is the reason Andy probably never passed up anything. He, too, could remember a time.

You see, when I was a kid, we would walk along the road, not to pick up cans but coke bottles (understand that any bottle that held a soft drink was called a coke bottle). Each bottle was worth a whopping two cents. We would walk looking for bottles and when our hands were full or we were tired, we would head straight to the store.

My favorite was Owen’s Small Engine Repair. He always kept a great selection of penny candy. Now this was the good stuff…quite the bargain. So, we could take our bottles and for each bottle walk out with two pieces of the good stuff. When I found that quarter laying in the parking lot, I imagined twelve and a half bottles—a bonanza back in the day. Twenty-five pieces of candy. Who could pass up a find like that?

Isn’t it funny how our past can impact our actions today? I know sometimes that can be a difficult thing and then maybe it’s best “left lying on the ground.” But, if your past is like mine, there are plenty of things worth remembering…and honoring. The key is knowing which is which and what is what. Paul must have had that in mind when he wrote that he had chosen to “forget that which is behind,” and trust me some of his past was harder than hard.

Today as you journey, keep your eyes up and look around and marvel at just how good God is. But, occasionally, don’t be afraid to look down. Who knows, you might just spot something that will cause you to remember bottles by the road and a trip to the candy store. You just might see something worth remembering. And, if you do, be sure and thank the One who makes that “worth remembering” thing possible. Remember to thank the One who is so keen on you He gave His best. And then, remember, no matter what you are facing…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

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

Quarters, Bottles and Penny Candy

Posted on July 10, 2023July 9, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Philippians 3:13

Yesterday I was walking in the Sam’s parking lot heading to, you guessed it, Sam’s to get a couple of items. As I was walking along, I saw something shiny and guess what? Yup, it was a quarter. Now, I am a coin picker upper. Every coin, from a penny to whatever, usually ends up in my pocket. I must admit sometimes pennies don’t make the cut but an example from my past usually causes me to pause and bend down. I had a good friend named Andy at Cobden, one of my previous pastorates. He is the one that taught me not to pass up any coin so in honor of him…I usually stop and bend down.

Well, back at Sam’s, on that particular day, my treasure was a quarter. First, I know, it may have had some germs on it but hey…what money doesn’t? And second, a quarter doesn’t sound like much, but I remember a time when it was a whole lot. And, by the way, that is the reason Andy probably never passed up anything. He, too, could remember a time.

You see, when I was a kid, we would walk along the road, not to pick up cans but coke bottles (understand that any bottle that held a soft drink was called a coke bottle). Each bottle was worth a whopping two cents. We would walk and find and when our hands were full or we were tired, we would head straight to the store.