but God

One of my favorite phrases is "but God."

It is probably most often heard in this context:

"But God, you know I can't speak in front of people."

"But God, I don't even like her."

"But God, they already have a teacher for the five-year-olds."

"But God, people will laugh at me."

"But God, I'm not qualified."

Sound familiar?

That's not the "but God" I am referring to, though.  I'm referring to this one:

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good" 

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart" 

And my favorite of all --

"Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy ... made us alive together with Christ ...  and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus..." 

"But God, being rich in mercy..."

I was a terrible sinner, but God...

I was full of fear, but God...

You wanted to hurt me, but God...

I was lost, but God...

I was dead, but God...

I was headed down the wrong path, but God...

What is your "but God?"