I want to write about "love" in this February article, and I'd like to share from a personal perspective. As many of you know, my dad passed away last Fall, and as I reflect on the topic of love, I realize that most of what I've learned about love has come from my parents, pastors and teachers, the Word of God and my dear wife. Since my parents are first on that list, with your indulgence, I will reminisce a bit.

Dad was saved as a teenager and he led my mother to the Lord a few months before they were married on Dec. 3rd, 1950, at First Baptist Church in Creston, Iowa. They farmed for a living, reared six children, and served the Lord together in their local church. It was clear to me that they deeply loved God, us kids, and each other. Our family vacation was always spending a week at the Iowa Regular Baptist Camp. In addition, they always took a special vacation together, usually in Colorado. I never doubted their love and commitment to each other. Their marriage was "for keeps", lasting over 56 years, until my father's death a few months ago.

Looking back, I can clearly see that they, though imperfect, practiced the characteristics of genuine "agape" love as described in I Corinthians 13. Here are seven of them:

1. Love is Patient - v. 4a... "Love suffers long and is kind"...
2. Love is not Prideful - v. 4b... "Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up"...
3. Love is not Preoccupied with Self - v. 5a... "does not seek its own"...
4. Love is not easily Provoked - v. 5... "is not provoked, thinks no evil"...
5. Love is Pure - v. 6... "does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth"...
6. Love is not Pessimistic - v. 7a... "Believes all things, hopes all things"...
7. Love is Persevering - v. 7-8..." Bears all things... endures all things, Love never fails"...

Dad's last dozen years were a series of trials. Problems with his digestive system, heart, vision, Parkinson's disease, congestive heart failure and cancer. In the oneness of marriage, dad's problems were also mom's problems. Through it all, she suffered with him and stuck by him. She was his cook, chauffeur, secretary, encourager, partner and nurse. As his health declined, she took on more responsibilities as dad's needs grew to be more physically, spiritually and emotionally demanding. But they persevered. Dad loved mom and depended on her. She loved him, and attended to his needs with selflessness and humble perseverance.

I want to thank God for giving me parents who demonstrated what love is all about. I will always be grateful that they introduced me to Jesus, brought me up in the ways and worship of God, and showed me what love really means.

During this month when Valentines are exchanged and love is exclaimed, I salute my parents who gave me life, and showed me love. Dad is in Heaven now, Mom remains with us, and Jesus is coming soon to unite us together forever with Him. I trust you will be blessed, encouraged and inspired to know and grow in genuine love for Christ and others by this personal story. "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love". I Cor. 13:13