As a writer, I have a favorite word.
Not because it’s elegant.
Not because it’s impressive.
Not because it belongs on a list of literary masterpieces.
It’s the word but.
Three little letters. Yet in storytelling, few words carry more weight.
A character is defeated, but help arrives.
A relationship is broken, but forgiveness enters the story.
A dream seems lost, but a new possibility appears.
That tiny conjunction signals a pivot. A turn. A change in direction. It invites us to keep reading because the story isn’t over yet.
I’ve spent much of my life fascinated by those moments—not only in books and stories, but in Scripture and everyday life.
That’s why I created Big Buts of the Bible.
What began years ago as a quirky observation while reading the Gospel of Matthew has grown into a daily exploration of the places where God’s grace interrupts despair, where hope appears unexpectedly, and where broken stories begin moving toward healing.
At Big Buts of the Bible every day features a different way of exploring those turning points:
Sunday — Wonder
Big Buts that inspire worship, awe, and a fresh glimpse of God.
Monday — Dr. D. Buttersworth’s Discoveries
Big Buts uncovered in books, literature, signs, songs, conversations, and unexpected places.
Tuesday — Hope Hidden in Plain Sight
A deeper Bible study surrounding a Scripture passage where one little word changes everything.
Wednesday — The Pivot
A journey through fifteen verses of the Bible where everything changes.
Thursday — Proverbial But O’ the Week
Quick wisdom for busy lives from the book of Proverbs.
Friday — Where Broken Stories Meet God’s Grace
A longer reflection exploring the hope found in Scripture’s most surprising turns.
Saturday — From the Book
Excerpts from my forthcoming book, Big Buts of the Bible: Where Broken Stories Meet God’s Grace (Fall 2026).
If you’ve enjoyed the stories, reflections, and writing here at DarinMichaelShaw.com, I suspect you’ll feel right at home at BigButsoftheBible.com as well.
Because whether we’re talking about writing or faith, the same truth often applies:Changing the The most important part of the story frequently comes after the word but.
I’d love for you to stop by, subscribe, and join the conversation.
Changing the literary world … One big but at a time.
DARIN MICHAEL SHAW 