Today’s email could just be this wonderful little verse from the classic George Strait song. Because it captures perfectly what we need to be reminded of today and always, as we embark on this difficult but wonderful job.
Let me tell you a secret about a father’s love
A secret that my daddy said was just between us
He said daddies don’t just love their children every now and then
It’s a love without end, amen
It’s a love without end, amen
Not just if you’re a father, of course, but mother, step father, adopted mother, godparent, aunt, uncle, whatever. Not just when things are easy. Not just when they listen. Not just when they conform to your expectations. Not just when they succeed. Not just when everything is going well in your life, or in your job.
Not every now and then.
But always. Without end.
Unconditionally. Even when they hit their siblings, when they lied about a test, when they don’t want to eat their vegetables, when they want to quit something you paid a lot of money for, when they’ve acted in a way contrary to the values you’ve tried to instill in them.
Even if this isn’t what you got as a kid, especially if this isn’t what you got. Even when you’re struggling. Even when you’re pissed off. Even when they have made it so hard. Even when they take you for granted. You have to show them that you love them now and then and every moment in between.
Love without end.
Amen.
