I remember one of my college Bible teachers frequently exclaiming, “But God!” I’m ashamed to admit that I really didn’t understand what she meant. I’m sure Miss Fisher explained that the words “But God” are full of hope and answered promises and explanations of how only God can turn a bad situation into good. But my life had been fairly easy up to that point, and I didn’t have any frame of reference for the actual meaning of these beautiful words. Now, with a few more decades of life under my belt, I can look back and thank the Lord for several “But God” moments. 

• I wanted to head directly overseas after college, BUT GOD gave me a high school teaching job. I learned many invaluable lessons during those five years! 




• I found a perfect job in a school in Bolivia, BUT GOD changed my plans and brought me to Peru… where I eventually met my husband! 




• After a year of marriage, we decided it was time to have a baby, BUT GOD chose to let us face infertility instead. It was devastating, but if we would have had a baby according to “our plan,” we would have missed out on the two beautiful sons that he gave us through adoption. 

My experiences have proven to me that God always keeps His promises. He says that if I “commit to the Lord whatever I do, He will establish my plans,” which He did… and still does. Proverbs says that “God sets the lonely in families,” and I am forever thankful for how He kept that promise for our family.  

Looking back on these BUT GOD moments in my life strengthens my faith, and hopefully yours, for the ones that lie ahead. You may be totally exhausted and facing burnout, BUT GOD is the strength of your heart. The situation before you may seem insurmountable, BUT with GOD all things are possible! When you wonder if what you are doing makes a difference, be encouraged by the reminder that one person plants the seeds of the gospel and another waters, BUT GOD is the one who makes them grow.