"I will be happy to help," replied the teacher.

 

"Oh, by the way, the student will be in some sort of costume, a gorilla or something."

 

Indeed, later that day a gorilla did visit the kindergarten class and told several stories to the delight of the children, but then something very strange happened. The gorilla approached the teacher, dropped down on one knee and offered a box of Cracker Jacks.

 

The teacher's jaw dropped as she reached into the box and pulled out an engagement ring.

 

"Will you marry me?" said the gorilla.

 

Whether describing a relationship between a husband and wife, close friends or God, no verb is mentioned in the Bible more than love: over 800 times. One of our greatest commandments is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Luke 10:27)

 

To love someone is to offer up your ultimate expression of loyalty, passion and creativity. Love can be described in many ways, but one of them should never include the word, dull! In other words, it's okay to be a little 'gorilla-crazy' when you're in love. Do you need some examples?

 

·         David passionately danced before the Lord while bringing in the Ark. (2 Samuel 6:14)

·         Jesus said, "unless you have the faith of a child, you will never get into the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:15)

·         The woman who poured expensive oils and perfume on Jesus feet and wiped them with her hair. (John 12:1-8)

·         When Peter saw the risen Jesus he leaped from the boat and swam to shore. (John 21:7)

 

There is the warning in Revelation: "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth!" (3:15-16)

 

Are you one-half of a lukewarm couple? Do you belong to a lukewarm church? Are your friendships lukewarm? More importantly, could your personal relationship with the God who loves you so passionately be described as (gulp) lukewarm? Could it be time to seek forgiveness for your lack of passion and creativity? Then you could pray that God brings out the 'gorilla' in you.    

 

If you haven't guessed the ending to the story yet, the kindergarten teacher said yes to the gorilla and kissed him while the children cheered. A few months later her kindergarten class was given special seats at the wedding. How do I know? That kindergarten teacher is Mell Davies and we've been married for nineteen amazing years.

 

Has the love between Mell and I always been this wild? No. That is where another aspect of a loving relationship becomes important -- forgiveness. I'll save that one for another column.