When the devil has been unmasked a number of times, his final refuge seems to be the harmless-looking word but. Students of the teaching of Jesus Christ who would not be deceived by any of the familiar devices, constantly surrender their principles, and therefore their demonstration, to the little word but.
“Of course I know that God in the only power – but—.”
“Of course I know that God in omnipresent – but.”
“Of course I know that God is love – but.”
“Of course I know that there is no hurry because I am in eternity – but.”
“Of course I know that John or Mary must be the living expression of God, just as I am – but.”
If truth is true, there are no buts.
And they all with one consent began to make excuse (Luke 14:18).
Here is another tough one. While simple to understand, it is very hard to do. It is especially hard when we think we have been wronged or treated unjustly. Yet, there is no exception to the truth or it is not true. No one likes to plumb the depths of their weaknesses and accept responsibility for them. However, unless we do just that, and then turn away from them, they will invariably bring us down. That is the truth. And, the only thing that will save us from it is to face our own faults and, without excuse, ask God to help us rise above them.
During this Lenten season we are called to look inside ourselves to identify our shortcomings and then turn away from that which is separating us from God. We are also called to do charitable acts and to give up something important to us. If there is a habit or behavior that has become a barrier to communion with God and friends, now would be a good time to lay it down and try life without it for forty days. And while turning away from that which blocks God and friends from us, we may also want to find ways to give that which we can to those less fortunate.
It can’t hurt and it might be the first step on our journey to “get ourselves back to the garden”, as Joni Mitchell would sing.
Unrebutted,
Stan
Good Morning Garden 
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