“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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.” I Corinthians 13:4-7

Enduring Love

My mom and dad would drive my brother and I to Little League practice and games a lot when we were growing up. They seemed to never tire of the early Saturday mornings or the late practices during the week or the hours spent practicing with us.

But that’s what true, deep, committed and sacrificial love does. It allows people to do extraordinary things. It is patient, kind, it isn’t easily angered, it always protects, hopes and perseveres. Those are attributes I think of when I think of my parents, especially my mom. She cares, gives and loves (and I’m not just saying that because she’s my mom). She willingly gives anything and everything.

It’s a love I hope I will display more regularly to her, my wife, my friends, my colleagues and others I come in contact with. It’s a legacy she leaves and, though my dad passed away nearly 15 years ago, it’s a love that he shared through his actions, as well.

Today, check yourself and see if your love matches the love that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. If not, pray and ask God to help you love like He desires you to love.

By Brett Honeycutt

Brett Honeycutt is the managing editor at Sports Spectrum magazine. This devotional is taken from our most recent Training Table, a compilation of sports-related devotionals included in each print magazine. Log in here to access the March 2013/Volume 27, Number 2 Training Table.