(I'm running with a concept I stole from the Sunday sermon in church. There, I've admitted it, so now I can go on).
But then...
Have you really ever pondered the power of those words in a story? In your story?
But then... You can count on two things when you come across these words. First, something came before. Secondly, something is about to change. But then... marks a foot stuck in the ground, a change of course. But then... is the bridge in a story. But then... spans from the bank of what was to the bank of what is. But then... is a life conjunction.
But then... is seldom expected; and few have the fortitude to diverge from the comfortable path of ordinary to cross the bridge. But then (sorry, I can't stop), when they do, there is truly a story to tell.
Most great comeback stories have a but then... bridge somewhere within.
But then... the waters of the Red Sea parted...
But then... diverges from its cousins and then... and so then... The latter convey a continuation. And then... and so then... stick to the path without divergence. Sure, they may pick up the pace a little, but they do not vary in direction. But then... is a different animal altogether. But then... changes everything.
I once read, and then preached a series on, a concept called The Principle of the Path (again, stolen). The basic tenant was this:
Your Direction Determines your Destination
Naturally, a thinking (and self-evaluative) person has to ask, "Is the path I'm on leading to where I want to go?" If not, and then... and so then... cannot get me there. A course change is needed. Only a but then... bridge can span the river of change.
Herein lies the twist. But then... is great in a story - after the fact, reading the biography or autobiography. A but then... has power. The problem: it's past tense. After all, if we are reading, watching or hearing the story it has happened. But your story and my story are happening!
In order to have a significant but then... in your story,
you must have a but now...!
Our stories are being lived-out in real time. So if I evaluate my PATH - I look back to where I've been, and look forward to where I am heading - and I don't like it. I must have a stick my foot in the ground, change of direction, cross the bridge BUT NOW... moment!
Someday when we tell our stories, we will reflect and say with a smile, "...I was _____ ... but then... _____ and everything changed..."
Sounds simple, and it is. EASY? Nope! It is easy for me to write these posts... living out the concepts herein... not so much. I'm just one sojourner writing to other travelers. Looking for bridges and hoping I can come up with the guts to cross.
For now...
D
