Forever and Ever, Amen

My Christian heritage says that ‘Forever and ever, Amen’ is about God’s kingdom, power and glory; Randy Travis in this song says it’s about love…

You may think that I’m talkin’ foolish
You’ve heard that I’m wild and I’m free
You may wonder how I can promise you now
This love that I feel for you always will be

But you’re not just time that I’m killin’
I’m no longer one of those guys
As sure as I live, this love that I give
Is gonna be yours until the day that I die

Oh, baby, I’m gonna love you forever
Forever and ever amen
As long as old men sit and talk about the weather
As long as old women sit and talk about old men
If you wonder how long I’ll be faithful
I’ll be happy to tell you again
I’m gonna love you forever and ever
Forever and ever, amen

They say time takes its toll on a body
Makes the young girls brown hair turn gray
But honey, I don’t care, I ain’t in love with your hair
And if it all fell out, well, I’d love you anyway

They say time can play tricks on a memory
Make people forget things they knew
Well, it’s easy to see, it’s happenin’ to me
I’ve already forgotten every woman but you

Oh, darlin’, I’m gonna love you forever
Forever and ever amen…

My Christian heritage has taught me Jesus’ words: ‘Love one another, as I have loved you’ and Paul’s words: ‘Love is patient and kind…’ Randy Travis reminds me that love is lasting, faithful, ‘Forever and ever amen’. Love isn’t restricted by youth, physical beauty or sexual activity. It’s not dependent on feelings or situation, but is a timeless, always commitment.

Yesterday I read this prayer of the German thirteenth century Benedictine nun and mystic Gertrude the Great:

O Love, O God who created me, in your love recreate me. O Love who redeemed me, fill up in me whatever part of your love has fallen into neglect within me. O Love, O God, who first loved me, grant that with my whole heart, and with my whole soul, and with my whole strength, I may love you. Amen

My prayer today is that I will love my God, love my family, friends and neighbours, with this whole-hearted, non-selective, robust, always-love that is timeless, faithful… Forever and ever amen.