No Buts

No Buts…

I think I’ve had a revelation lately. I think of something as being great and then I want to add to it rather than just accepting it for being great. It’s like saying, “I like this, but let me add something else” (because your way isn’t good enough). Let me make it bigger, brighter, more colorful or something with MY flavor in it. To be honest, oftentimes when I do this I’m not thinking of the other person, but just thinking of my needs being more important than theirs.

For example, my husband David made us a great Chinese New Year meal. It had egg rolls and dumplings, orange chicken and rice. It looked delicious and my first thought was, “This looks great, BUT where are the vegetables? We always have vegetables with Chinese food.” I didn’t say it this time. Instead, I realized this meal was great just the way it was and it didn’t need vegetables. I didn’t need to add anything to it. Just because I didn’t do it doesn’t mean that I have to add my flavor to it.

I remember a pastor saying, “If you have a phrase and say “but” and add more to the phrase it is like negating everything you said before the “but”.

Example:

You made dinner but you forgot the dessert.

I like the coat you bought me, but I wanted a longer one.

You had a good story, but I want to add on to it.

Lord, I know you love me, but I’m too busy to spend time with you.

Humm, does this strike a cord with you? Sometimes it is hard to just accept what someone says and does. We are allowed to sit back sometimes without feeling the need to add our 2 cents.

So we can enjoy our time listening, experiencing, and receiving from our friends, family and our Father with no buts added.

Philippians 2:3 Nothing should be done because of pride or thinking about yourself. Think of other people as more important than yourself.

Lord, Sometimes I spend too much time trying to fix things, or add my flavor to things that don’t need to change. Help me to find joy in letting others shine. Show me when to speak and when to listen. Let your Holy Spirt be my Guide! In Jesus name, Amen