Move Your “But” Out the Way – Pt. 2

I now yesterday’s blog left you hanging on the cliff with the question:  What do these examples have in common?  BUT before we get to the answer, it’ probably a good idea to re-cap and slightly expound on some of the points we discovered:

Aberdeen held her ground (or should I say kept her seat) when the high yellow girls in her classroom tried to give her “shade” because of her seating choice BUT she told them what they could do with their “shade” without saying a word.  Her body language said that and some.  Lastly she would never have a challenge with being late BUT she had a terrible habit of piddling around the house, tending to items that weren't a priority.  The bottom line is that she is habitually late no matter how she tries to excuse it;

Lamar and Shelby had an amazing time at the 49er v. Raider’s game until the obnoxious people with seats in front of them showed up at half time.  Lamar was about to say something to them BUT just as he opened his mouth the arena usher said it all for him.  Lastly, the couple was genuinely in love with each other however, it seemed like Lamar’s love was much deeper than Shelby’s.  Nine months ago when Lamar proposed, she said yes BUT not right now.  Really?  It was as if she was putting him off for every reason she could come up with.  He loved her BUT didn’t understand why she wouldn’t commit, which is the operative word.  Shelby was afraid of commitment because of past hurts and she had not revealed those deep dark hurts to him because of fear.  She knew Lamar was a good man, a dream come true, far more than she had ever imagined but the thought of marriage and settling down terrified her though it’s something she longed for.  Talk about an oxymoron.  She knew time was running out and if she didn’t get her mind right real soon, it might be too late.

Tabitha missed Sunday morning worship and the church functions far more than she would admit BUT the church hurt she experienced got the best of her at just the right time.  She realized she overreacted BUT pride stood between her and going back to the church or any church for that matter.  She is like many people, always casting blame on others as the excuse rather than taking ownership of the role they play(ed).  Three years is a long time to blame others and never once turn the search light inward.  BUT God has a way of send the help we need (even when we don’t verbally ask for it).  Alice was Tabitha’s life raft and she recognized it not long after Alice showed up.  She knew almost instantly that there was something different about Alice, not by her clothes or speech but the confidence that seemed to ooze from her pores.  Tabitha had shut down spiritually BUT Alice brought out the best in her and she was willing to let her guards down, but only with Alice.  Quiet as is kept, Tabitha’s issue was the religiousity she subjected herself to and she began to adopt.  She was so religious she got on her own nerves, BUT it is what was expected in her religious circles.  If you didn’t use the religious vernacular you were judged as carnal, worldly, half-saved, etc.  That lifestyle was the exact opposite of who she was as a person and when she tried to express those feelings she was ignored, criticized, etc. so out of frustration she left the church vowing never to return because she felt like a hypocrite.  Tabitha tried to blame others for her spiritual instability, BUT the bottom line was that she needed to own it hook, line and anchor.

Tania Not Tanya Nugget:  Listen to me, we all play a role in the drama that surfaces in our lives, for example: how we handle the drama, if we play into it, ignore it, address it head on, etc. Some people use the drama to their advantage, by taking on the role of victim to the 10^th power while others use the drama as the fuel needed to propel them past the ugliness.

Todd was a trip and he bout drove his wife, Lily, crazy sometimes with his attention to detail.  She was neat but not to the degree of Todd and every now and then she was intentionally messy to create friction and balance.  On those occasions it was Todd who felt like he was gonna go crazy.   He had a place for everything and everything had a place which explained why he was so neat and organized.  It took no effort at all to organize the groceries as he loaded his cart.  Trying to shop any other way would have made him break out in hives, literally. I have to admit he was definitely an expert at organization, even his groceries, BUT there was one small problem. His alleged full proof shopping experience had a flaw, he never created a list and 99% of the time either forgot item(s) or overbought.  Are Todd’s OCD tendencies a big deal?  Not really, BUT they could be if he doesn’t create some type of balance in his life soon.  OCDers tend to forget that the rest of the world doesn’t think or act like them and if they become judgmental towards others based upon their clean, tidy narrow window, life could become a huge mess, pun intended.

So here’s the question again:  What do the examples all have in common.  Before you state the obvious, that each example used the phrase: ”Move Your But Out The Way”, you’re correct BUT that’s not the answer.  The commonality that you probably overlooked is really quite simple, they all showed their “buts”.   I know you’re probably thinking I should’ve posed the question more tactfully but I beg to differ because you may have misunderstood the heart of my question.  Look at the commonality in the characters again: 

• Aberdeen is consistently late not because of her inability to wake up on time, her issues are much deeper than that, one of which is that she doesn’t respect time;
• Shelby is terrified of commitment based on past experiences but what’s sad is that she realizes she could lose the love of her life if she doesn’t get her mind right; 
• Tabitha wants to rekindle her relationship with God but she’s afraid of becoming something she isn’t – a religious prude; and 
• Todd is in denial 

The “but” I’m referring to is the same for Aberdeen, Shelby, Tabitha and Todd, it’s their excuses.  What is your but stopping you from achieving?  You get one shot at this thing called life so you might as well live it to the fullest without any regrets.  Talk is cheap, but it can cost you your dreams and that’s a huge debt to pay so why are you still talking about what you’re gonna do instead of doing it?  What are you waiting on?  You’re not getting any younger.  What have you got to lose besides pride, fear and/or money?  Do you think people are gonna talk about you?  News flash, they already are.  Do you think you might fail?  News flash, you probably will, but you can fail yourself to success if you do it the right way.  Are you waiting for the “right time”; Do you have too much stuff going on? 

A passage from my favorite book talks about "buts" too, listen to this:  You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?  Galatians 5:7 (NLT)

So here’s the question, are you ready?  You sure?  What does your “but” look like?  Here’s another one:  When are you going to move your “but” out the way? 

I can't end this blog without mentioning the "buts" that we're not responsible for: For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 (NLT).  There are absolutely times when our "buts" are not our fault, they are divinely allowed to grow us up, teach us a lesson or simply so that God can be glorified in bring us through and out of the "but".

I would continue, BUT I'm all out of time.

Because of his promised Favor

Tania Not Tanya