My Newest “But God” Story
Friends,
It has been a very busy Spring and Summer for us!
One of the most exciting events was that I changed jobs. This new job was an answer to our prayers and provided us with so much. More time at home, more time for me to write, more time to grow in a couple of areas that God has been nudging me. As a direct result, I wrote, edited, and published two new books. Both are Bible studies. The first is entitled From Limitation to Impact: Building an Ephesians 2:10 Outreach Ministry. Faithful stewardship of the tools, talents, and gifts that God gives us honors Him and edifies the Body of Christ. Some of you graciously read and offered feedback as I wrote. I am blessed to have such supportive friends and sisters-in Christ!
The second book, published in early September, is a study on the importance of Christian fellowship. Fellowship of Joy: Embracing Life Together in Christ is a short four-week study exploring Scriptural support for Christian fellowship and why we are hard-wired to need fellowship. In an increasingly lonely world, this is an excellent study for individuals or small groups who desire to move from theory to application in their daily lives and reap the benefits of Christian Fellowship.
That’s my quick update, but what I really want to share with you is my newest “But God” story.
You may recall that two of my favorite words in Scripture are “But God.” These two words, when joined together, convey a world of hope, amazement, and gratitude to me. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, when situations seemed impossible, God had a beautiful habit of showing up and showing off! Here are a few of my favorite “But God “verses.
Genesis 20:3 ; 50:20 1Samuel 23:14 Psalm 49:15
Romans 5:8 Ephesians 2:4-5 2 Corinthans 7:6
In my own life, I can honestly say that many times, except for His loving intervention, my life would have taken an entirely different trajectory. When God shows up, we can trust that nothing is impossible for Him. It doesn’t matter if the situation we find ourselves in was created by others who wished us harm, or by our own choices or bad decisions. He is willing and able to bring the highest good to benefit His children.
Early this year, I received an invitation to speak at a women’s conference in September (2025). As I studied and prepared for the conference, the manuscript for “Fellowship of Joy: Embracing Life Together in Christ”developed. I finished writing and editing the book and began the process for publication, driven by a deep desire to share it first with the women who inspired me to write it.
Based on the timelines for the publication of previous books, I had a good idea of when the finished manuscript should be submitted so that I could unveil the book at the conference. I worked hard and had the final manuscript submitted a few days ahead of schedule. I breathed a sigh of relief and turned to finalizing the talk I would deliver. Yep, you guessed it! I received an email that left me breathless. The email, after the first paragraph of congratulations, read “your books will arrive on September 23rd.”The only problem was that the conference was on Saturday, September 20th.
I took a deep breath, wiped the tears from my eyes (yes, I was distraught), and began to pray.
“Now, LORD, I’ve promised the planning committee that their women will be the first to have a copy of this book. I submitted the manuscript within the usual timeframe to ensure the books were delivered in plenty of time. This three-day late delivery date is very disappointing, and I’m asking YOU to intervene. YOU are able, and because YOU love me and call me YOUR child, I believe that YOU are willing. I have no idea how, but I believe that YOU will make sure the books are ready by September 13th.”
I wrote that prayer in my journal, and I prayed it whenever the books came to mind. I shared this with two prayer warriors and asked that they would also pray that the books would be ready by September 13th. I didn’t work on a backup plan. If I felt anxious or tempted to think, “What if,” I prayed my prayer again. I had an amazing sense of peace.
September 13th came, and no books arrived. “Ok, LORD, this is in YOUR plan because YOU are omniscient and omnipotent. Will YOU show me the next steps?” My only answer was “Trust ME and continue to pray.” So I did. I was completely at peace (very unlike me in the natural) and had no desire to search for an answer frantically. I continued to pray.
On September 17th, multiple boxes, far more than were necessary for the books I ordered, arrived. Every copy that I ordered arrived. Each box was from a different mailing address; my order had been shared between multiple presses. As I reviewed the invoices, I noticed that every copy had been printed and shipped on September 13th.
September 13th, the exact date I had prayed for. GOD, the Creator of the universe, the ONE who named every star, the same GOD who reigns and rules, had answered my prayer in exacting precision. I sang songs of thanksgiving and praise as I unpacked those boxes. And then I called my two prayer warriors, and we rejoiced together for this newest “BUT GOD” story.
Friend, what is your “But God” story? I am confident we each have at least one “But God” story. Sometimes, we need to train our eyes and hearts to see where HE is working. If you are struggling to identify your “But God” stories, I hope you will pray and ask God to show you those times He showed up in situations that were impossible unless He intervened. When HE does, praise Him, sing songs of thanksgiving, and be encouraged because of His great love for you.
Serving alongside you,
Carla
