"But ..."

Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to God.  I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.  Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength.     Habakkuk 3:17-19 (Msg)

 It's amazing how all of life can turn on one word ... "yet"  or "but" ...

I was in an accident BUT I'm ok.
I got the check BUT it was only for $10.
I didn't get in BUT I am on the waiting list.
It's not cancer BUT we do need to do surgery.

Life just doesn't go quite according to MY plans sometimes.  I mean, if I ran the zoo (I mean the universe) ... I think I'd do away with things like calories and accidents, sickness and heartache, traffic and disappointment.  BUT (there it is again!), although God's intent was a world devoid of most of those things, sin kind of messed that up ... enter death and disease and heartache and disappointment.  So, we coexist in this world with those things we'd just as soon kick to the curb!  And I'd like to do some kicking ... kind of tired of watching friends affected by the choices of others, of seeing heartaches, of hearing of another cancer diagnosis.  I kind of didn't hit 40 where I thought I'd be ... not the size 6, soccer mom toting three kids around in the (non) minivan!  I didn't make gingerbread houses with my little ones and play Santa for them.  I don't have a storybook romance to tell about how I met and fell in love with my husband.  BUT ... here's where it turns. 

I have lots to be thankful for!  I have almost 20 years of students God has allowed me to invest in.  I have a home that's cozy and warm that I love.  I have amazing friends who extend my little family beyond its borders.  I get to travel internationally (for free!!) and get to use my nursing degree to show God's love and to help inspire future doctors and nurses to do the same.  I drive a "truck" ... well, a little SUV, but closer to a truck than my little mustang ever was!  I have an amazing family (both in AR and in GA) who love me and support what I do!  I have some sweet kids who call me "Aunt Karen" and I love that! 

Life may not be all we dreamed it to be TODAY ... we may be living with heartaches, illness, disappointment.  BUT we can choose even in the midst of the stuff we don't understand to trust God for what we can't see.  We can choose to jump for joy at the gifts we're given!  We can choose to celebrate!  We can count on God to come through!  We can take heart, gain strength and keep on keeping on!  We all live life on the left side of the "but" ... but I think I'm gonna focus on the right!