BUT GOD Moments

Those BUT GOD Moments...

When I was diagnosed with cancer the first time—just eight months after marrying Ben—he could have buried me like he did his first wife… BUT God said it wasn’t time for me to go yet.

When Ben died of a heart attack less than two months before our second wedding anniversary, I could have become paralyzed by grief… BUT God gave me confirmation that I still needed to move forward and start Celebrate Recovery. I still needed to be here to counsel soldiers—and now veterans.

When I was diagnosed with cancer again this past January, my family could have been attending my funeral… BUT God kept me here for such a time as this. I know I still have much work to do for the Kingdom.

This Juneteenth, I celebrated my 56th birthday! One of the many texts I received said: “Happy Birthday, my dear friend!! You’re such a blessing to so many people! You are definitely very blessed to see this birthday!! Could’ve been different… BUT God!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙌🏾”

Ever since my surgery, I’ve been waking up with praise and worship in my heart, because I know things could have gone differently. Every message, every call, every post made me smile and reflect on the goodness of God.

When was the last time you paused—really paused—and separated yourself from the busyness of life to reflect on your own BUT God moments? (Go ahead. Pause and do it now.)

If you don’t mind sharing, I’d love to hear your testimony. Be as brief or as detailed as you’d like. How does it feel to think about what God has done for you?

Near the end of Pastor Aaron Cowart’s message on Sunday, I paraphrased something he said and wrote it in my journal: “Reach back and pull from a past victory and apply it to a present problem. ”In other words: If God did it before, He can do it again.

Sometimes we just need that reminder, especially in our lowest moments. When people—or the enemy of our soul—try to discourage us, it’s easy to forget how God brought us through before.

BUT God said He would never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). BUT God sent Jesus, and my suffering will never compare to what He endured for me (John 3:16).

Pause and look for those BUT GOD moments.

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