by Floyd Wickman With Valentine's Day fast approaching I got to thinking about that old song that goes, “What the world needs now is love sweet love…”  Has that ever been truer?

In Og Mandino’s book The Greatest Salesman in the World, the scroll marked V states ‘love is the greatest secret of success in all mankind.’  It goes on to say ‘only the unseen power of love can open the hearts of men and women.’  Wouldn’t you agree the world could certainly use a few more open hearts?

In the bible, Saint Paul says to the Corinthians, “If I have not love -- I am nothing.”  He goes on to say, “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”  Aren’t those the things we need now more than ever?

Read the story of the University of Michigan football team and their amazing turn-of- the-century turn-around.   You will learn how the new coach Fielding Yost implanted one word into the minds of each of his players, explaining to them that when they could understand how that word applied to winning football games they could play on his team.    He went on to predict in a press release that his team would be undefeated and win the Rose Bowl.  Astounding as it sounds, U of M did just that.   That word was LOVE.  Has there ever been a time when we need to ‘turn around’ more than right now?

Take a lesson from our team.  Each quarterly trainer meeting begins with a prayer.  Hugging each other is normal.  We seldom leave each other, in person or on the phone, without the words, “love you.”   These things carry over into our homes.  I’m proud to say we know what’s important, and who to thank for our opportunities.  Can you think of anyone in your life you should tell, “I love you?”  How about offering a hug or a prayer of thanks?  How important do you think these things are in our society?

Webster has two different definitions of love:  “The unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another” and “holding ones opponent scoreless.” Which definition of love is most needed today?

My favorite song during church services has words that say, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”  If love is what we need today, I can only hope this message starts to tip the scales so that we all might do our part.  Pass it on.

Love you,