The But Clause

There are no “sorry buts” allowed at our house.  I’m not saying there aren’t times when one sneaks in.  But we are doing our best to eradicate them.  Many who know me, have heard this before.  Don’t bring your sorry buts to our house.  And yes, I mean “sorry buts” not “sorry butts.”  Although sometimes I don’t think there is much difference.

So what exactly are “sorry buts?”  Put simply, they are halfhearted apologies.  They usually sneak in with an apology that sounds something like this: “I’m sorry I yelled at you BUT I have a headache and you were pushing my buttons!”  What really happens is that the first part of the apology gets wiped out by the blame reflected back after the “but.”  The “but clause” basically turns the blame tables and obliterates the “apology clause” completely.  Start an apology with “I’m sorry but . . .” and you will find all sorts of amazing possibilities. In fact, a properly executed “but clause” can leave the original victim feeling like THEY need to be the one apologizing.  Such is the power of the “but clause.”

It may sound strange, but I’m actually grateful for the power of the “but clause.”  Used incorrectly, as in a halfhearted apology, it is dastardly.  That’s the “but clause” as the devil would use it.  But God does amazing things with it.  He uses the “but clause” to totally turn the tables in OUR favor.  And for some reason I can’t explain, that totally blesses me.  Just take a look through the Bible for the words “But God…”  I dare you.  Try a search in your electronic Bible.  You might just catch on to what I mean.   Something bad happens, but God . . .  The future looks bleak, but God . . .   Something seems all wrong, but God . . .  You’ve screwed things up royally, but God . . .

And although you were dead in your transgressions and sins,  in which you formerly lived according to this world’s present path, according to the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the ruler of the spirit that is now energizing the sons of disobedience,   among whom all of us also formerly lived out our lives in the cravings of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath even as the rest…   But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us,  even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you are saved! –  and he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,  to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
  – Ephesians 2:1-7 NET

Click the comment link and let me know: What’s your favorite “But God…” clause?