There are no “sorry buts” allowed at our house. \u00a0I’m not saying there aren’t times when one sneaks in. \u00a0But we are doing our best to eradicate them. \u00a0Many who know me, have heard this before. \u00a0Don’t bring your sorry buts to our house. \u00a0And yes, I mean “sorry buts” not “sorry butts.” \u00a0Although sometimes I don’t think there is much difference.<\/p>\n
So what exactly are “sorry buts?” \u00a0Put simply, they are halfhearted apologies. \u00a0They usually sneak in with an apology that sounds something like this: “I’m sorry I yelled at you BUT<\/strong> I have a headache and you were pushing my buttons!” \u00a0What really happens is that the first part of the apology gets wiped out by the blame reflected back after the “but.” \u00a0The “but clause” basically turns the blame tables and obliterates the “apology clause” completely. \u00a0Start 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. \u00a0Such is the power of the “but clause.”<\/p>\n It may sound strange, but I’m actually grateful for the power of the “but clause.” \u00a0Used incorrectly, as in a halfhearted apology, it is dastardly. \u00a0That’s the “but clause” as the devil would use it. \u00a0But God does amazing things with it. \u00a0He uses the “but clause” to totally turn the tables in OUR favor. \u00a0And for some reason I can’t explain, that totally blesses me. \u00a0Just take a look through the Bible for the words “But God…” \u00a0I dare you. \u00a0Try a search in your electronic Bible. \u00a0You might just catch on to what I mean. \u00a0 Something bad happens, but God . . . \u00a0The future looks bleak, but God . . . \u00a0 Something seems all wrong, but God . . . \u00a0You’ve screwed things up royally, but God . . .<\/p>\n And although you were dead in your transgressions and sins, \u00a0in which you formerly lived according to this world\u2019s 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, \u00a0\u00a0among 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\u2026 \u00a0\u00a0But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, \u00a0even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ \u2013 by grace you are saved! \u2013 \u00a0and he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, \u00a0to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0– Ephesians 2:1-7 NET<\/em><\/p>\n