My Love/Hate Relationship With—BUT

It’s the ugly truth. I love BUT! Or sometimes I hate it, depending on how I’m using it. And if you’re a little goofy like me, just saying BUT makes me wanta giggle. So what’s up with BUT?

Let me count the ways. I can be a huge, miry mess BUT God can pull me out. I get bored with long sermons (unless it’s a doozy of a whopper one) BUT I always long to hear from Him. At times, my weight goes up and down like a yo-yo BUT His weights against me are gracious. I have a very weak (and ugly) spot for salsa and chips BUT He loves me despite my salsa breath. I lose my Mommy patience and lose IT for a moment BUT I’m never lost to Him. Gray days strung in a row get me down BUT He shines on me. So many other beautiful BUTs out there. You get the idea.

Those are the good ones. It’s those other times when I’m wrong or I know I need to apologize. Why can’t I just say sorry? Oh no, not me. My ‘BUT’ gets in the way, no pun intended. What would I do without my ‘BUT’?

My Hubby is the one who probably hears it most. Yes, he’s rather familiar with the word from my little ‘BUT’y lips. He hears: I would, BUT... I’m sorry, BUT... I was wrong, BUT... We could, BUT... You’re plans are fine, BUT... You wanta do what!?! BUT... Your ideas (Hubby) are my big BUTs.

I use BUT as a crux for crushing dreams with reality. Come on, we all live there, right? In reality. BUT dreams are birthed in imagination so reality hasn’t begun for them. Yet when Hubby shares them, I pounce my BUTs on them. Then I breathe a sigh of relief. Because dreams scare me, especially when they belong to someone else. Big plans need to be tamed down to smaller ones, as far as I’m concerned. (un)Thankfully, BUT is there to help me through. I hate THOSE BUTs.

The worst BUT offender: Justifying Myself. Why do I insist on explaining myself like I’m on trial? I’m sorry BUT I had a (real good) reason. I was wrong, BUT.

If I were to face Jesus and say I know I sinned BUT….. BUT nothing. My flesh wants to keep the big, bad, BUT. I use it & I repeat it for my feel good, justifying, dream squashing self. Since I'm still wallowing here, I will be in BUT therapy. Hoping the Great Physician will mericifully temper my BUTs and replace them with His beautiful WORDs. No pun intended BUT am I the only one with BUT problems?? If you’re a BUT-reformed gal, throw some pearly wisdom my way. And please be kind to my BUTward ways. Thank you. :-)


Ps. I know many a sentence may sound like a pun, BUT seriously, I didn't intend it that way. So if you were offended in any way, I'm sorry. Hmmm, I hope this explaination doesn't classify as another example of my justification. As you can tell, lots of HIS therapy will be required.