What is Love?

     In 1986, my children were stunned. I was defeated. Their mother wanted a divorce. My mind turned to 1 Corinthians 13. 

     If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 

Then I took a large sheet and marker...

    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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease, where there are tongues, they will be stilled, where there is knowledge, it will pass away. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

     Did God draw me to that chapter? I don't know. But I know what Jesus said to the Pharisee who asked him, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" He answered:  

     Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And the second is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.