“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:26

I really like you, but… you’re a strong candidate, but… I’d love to help out, but…

For a tiny word, BUT has a lot to answer for. Those three letters routinely do more damage than their much longer, syllable heavy friends. Those three letters, for the most part, spell trouble, and take less than half the letters to do it. This word may be small, however, it’s mighty.

Thankfully for us, the Lord has taken three letters than spell strife (not literally, but hang with me here) and, like so many bad situations in our lives, turned them on their heads and used them for good. When I did a comprehensive number on my knee skiing, the Lord used that to show me how many folks loved my family – enough to bring meals, run errands and care for our children when I could not.

With every move we make He takes the heartbreak of goodbye and uses it to show us new people who will become our extended family, but indulge us in their lives like actual relatives.

When we miscarried, I saw a direct line to my husband getting saved.

On those days that begin with the children bickering (two teenage girls, friends, not for the faint hearted) move into bad traffic, then shift into writer’s block and result in short tempers, I feel defeated. I am defeated.

But God

Thankfully, the Lord is so much bigger than the strife and pain life throws at us. Yes, even bigger than heartbreaking grief. I am testimony to that. Because when we feel at a loss, worthless, and beaten He says BUT you are my beloved and I am yours (Song of Songs 6). For a three letter word of little consequence, but packs a mighty wallop and attaches hope to any and every circumstance.

Now it’s your turn – what situation needs God to wield His mighty little word in your life? Feel free to comment with the phrase ‘prayer need’ to protect privacy and I’d count it an honor to pray for you this week.