by Tammy Phillips
August 12, 2024
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
My husband and I were on the way to church Sunday morning. The radio was tuned into a country station, not usually my choice of music. A song began to play, the lyrics caught my attention, and I could not help but let the tears roll. Here are the lyrics I heard to “Mamaw’s House ” sung by Thomas Rhett:
It was always hotter than the grease she used to fry that chicken
Smelled like Marlboro Reds and all the butter from her biscuits
And that Lincoln in the driveway, circa 1982
Was on the shiny side of rusty and on the paler side of blue
‘Cussin and complainin’ weren’t allowed in Mamaw’s house
If every nightstand had a Bible, every front porch had a swing
If every backyard had a garden, every front door had a screen
Well, maybe this crazy world would straighten up and slow on down
If every town had a Mamaw’s house
She’d ask if I was hungry every thirty seconds
And say things like “hellfire, ” “tarnation” and “I reckon’s”
It’s where I spent my summers and she put me to work
Shellin’ peas and shuckin’ corn until my fingers hurt
No tellin’ who I’da been without Mamaw’s house
If every nightstand had a Bible, every front porch had a swing
If every backyard had a garden, every front door had a screen
Yeah, maybe this crazy world would straighten up and slow on down
If every town had a Mamaw’s house
Yeah, and if they did, when I punch the clock
Tonight, I know right where I’d be
I’d walk in and get a big ol’ hug
And a bigger glass of tea
If every nightstand had a Bible, every front porch had a swing
If every backyard had a garden, every front door had a screen
Yeah, maybe this crazy world would straighten up and slow on down
If every town had a Mamaw’s house
Yeah, maybe this crazy world would straighten up and slow on down
If every town had a mamaw’s house.*
The song lyrics flooded my mind with memories of my “Mamaw’s House.” My Grandmothers were not called Mamaw but were fondly called Nanny. How I loved to get away to Nanny’s house. What an impact Nanny Lowe and Nanny Abney had on my life. They taught me about life, unconditional love, and Jesus. They taught me how to live simply and be still, something the Lord been reminding me of. They instilled in me that it was ok just to sit down on the front, side, or back porch, sip a glass of tea and watch the sun go down. They led me to open the windows on hot summer nights to feel the cool breeze and listen to the symphony of bullfrogs lifting up their voice to the Lord. They patiently and masterfully educated me on how to make their prized dishes. They directed me to God with the way they lived their lives.
Holy Spirit has been whispering to me, “Be still, to relax, sink down, let things drop, to slacken up, to cast down chaos, to let offense fall, to let go of hurts and to know, see and turn my mind to the truth that He is God. My husband has been encouraging me to come out on our back deck and to do the same.
The pot of life had been boiling on every front as of late, distracting me from being still and knowing my God.
With our second grandbaby on the way, it is time to refocus. I have additional job duties and a purpose in my family. It is to be the best Lala that I can. It is to show my grands how to LIVE AMAZED. It is to offer them a place of peace to visit, be nurtured and taught the same lessons I learned my from my Nanny’s House.
I enCOURAGE you to be still and know God. If you don’t know Him, I would love to introduce you to my Savior, Lord, Prince of Peace, Healer…He is everything. He is infinite in understanding. He is all things good. Practice being still this week it will make you a better Mamaw, Nanny, LaLa and better person. Take the time. Make the time to know God. You will be amazed!
(*Songwriters: Matthew Peters Dragstrem / Morgan Cole Wallen / Richard Chase McGill / Thomas Rhett Jr. Akins Mamaw’s House lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc)
Complete in Him 