The Fifth Corner

In my mind, things to which loyalty can be given are separated into four corners of likability. The first corner belongs to those things to which I am apathetic or neutral. I don't really care how the Atlanta Braves do this year. The second corner belongs to those things with flaws that are invisible to me. I don't see the downside of penguins, so I think they're pretty cool. (See what I did there?) The third corner belongs to those things which I like, and I refuse to see the downside. This is blind loyalty. I refuse to acknowledge that chili dogs are terrible for you. The fourth corner belongs to those things which I dislike or hate because of their flaws. I hate the Steelers because they are an unpleasant, dirty team. I see their flaws and recoil in disgust. The fifth corner, however, belongs to those things that have flaws of which I am completely aware, yet love and follow despite and even because of them. I see many of the problems with Cornerstone, but I am still loyal to it because it is my school.

The same can be said of people; they fall, for me, into the same five categories. (Although, few fall into the third category.) My opinions and relationships of and with them are similar to these five. But there's something rare and beautiful about that fifth category. It's unconditional love, something to which we Christians are called. Not blind love, but aware and forgiving.

I have experienced this to an extent in many relationships/friendships. It is mainly seen in my family. Despite what they do, I still love them. But their quirks still irk me. (I just did another thing.) There's only one person I have ever known with which I completely have this type of friendship. I am able to love them (not in a romantic way, mind you) for who they are, despite and even because of their flaws. I am very aware of the things that others might find distasteful, and neither do I think these attributes are good. But I can look at this person and see them as a whole, appreciating even the flaws. It baffles me. I want to understand exactly how it works and try to apply it to all my other relationships.