Love Is

1 Corinthians 13:4-8  "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."   I have been watching a tribute to Coach John Wooden this evening, and heard him say that "love is the greatest of all words in our dicitonary."  It is possible that love is the most overused, and at the same time is the most misunderstood word in the dictionary as well.  I do believe, however, that Coach had a very good understanding of the word love as he lived his life to the fullest. Although Coach Wooden had accomplished many winning seasons, he demonstrated true love as God had intended it to be.  He gave many hours to the game of basketball developing his teams and his players, but also made it very clear that basketball was a distant 3rd place behind his wife and children, in that order. Just listening to his tone of voice and watching his conduct over the decades of coaching and leading others, I was inspired by his amazing leadership.  All of his success would not have been possible without love and respect for others. Remembering and reflecting on a particular event in his youth, he admitted that he used some strong language toward his brother.  Very quickly his father punished both of them for what had just happened.  Coach Wooden said that he has never used any profanity since that day.  I truly believe that the love of God filled his heart that day as he repented and kept him from saying things that would be hurtful to others. Dear Friend, is your life filled with love toward others?  If you inserted your name in the passage above, and each time replaced the word 'love' with your name, would the verses still be accurate and true?  Life is difficult, and it is not always easy to love others, but God has demonstrated what true love should be.  May we all succeed in truly loving others from this day forward.  To live our lives in this manner would truly honor God.   Dave Henry