My promise to love “always and forever” isn’t hard because “always” and “forever” are pretty ambiguous terms; and, gosh isn’t “always” and “forever” eons from now anyway? It’s the “no matter what” over which I sometimes struggle. For instance, would I still love them if they came home with all F’s on their report card? Totaled my cute little convertible Lexus? Robbed a bank? Voted Democrat? Abandoned their family? Pimped or dealt drugs. Murdered someone in a fit of rage resulting in life imprisonment?
Thankfully, none of these scenarios apply – well, I guess its fair to say at least one of them does – but it makes me wonder if, in some of these more heinous examples I could – and would - still love them “always, forever and no matter what.”
But, as one of my beautiful daughters has pointed out more than once, I’m not perfect either. I have flaws, shortcomings, and have made more than a few really dumb decisions in my lifetime, some which have brought pain to friends and family members. Yet there is Someone who knows I’m imperfect, but continues to pour out blessings on me as proof I am still His beloved daughter - even when He and I both know, I don’t deserve it! And, He has never hesitated or stumbled on the “no matter what!” though I’m pretty sure He has been disappointed in me, more than a time or two.
So, my precious family, I want you to know I am committed to following my Savior’s example and while it sometimes might take a minute or two to sort out my feelings in an effort to understand your choices, I will love all of you always, forever … and unconditionally “no matter what!”
