Zipped up memories | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Zipped up memories | Previous Challenge Entry
By Emmanuella Ellis
02/14/18
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What do you do when a guy won't stop pursuing you? Avoid him as much as you can, I would say. That was my go-to plan all through undergrad. But there I was, 5 years down the lane staring at a huge teddy bear in an old suitcase and wondering if I would settle for the same answer. I got back home for the holidays to find that I could get some more room for myself by unpacking and getting rid of old stuff in my bedroom. The old suitcase under the table was definitely going to be thrown out including everything in it.

Unzipping the bag, however, opened up new memories. Ken, one of the most persistent guys I have ever met was the direct link to the huge teddy bear. He bought me my first and only teddy bear and presented it to me on valentine’s day. All through high school, I watched as friends and colleagues made a big deal about the day that had been set aside to show love to people. I looked forward to the day that I would receive a gift specifically a huge teddy bear from the one I loved.

To my surprise, I received my most desired gift from a guy I despised most. There I was, struggling for minutes with the decision to accept the gift or otherwise. Ken was showing his love to me by offering me a present which I didn’t deserve because of the harsh treatments I gave him. I couldn’t understand why he would go the extra mile knowing how much I despised him. Everyone else was showing love and giving presents to the people who loved them back but not ken. Accepting the gift was the beginning of a great friendship with him and whole new mentality about people and life.

I took the teddy bear, placed it on my chest and thanked God for that experience. As I placed it back into the bag I realised how similar that situation is, with Jesus' desire to pursue us consistently though we ignore and resist Him. I found myself mumbling a few words to the Lord, thanking Him for His love, and the offer of eternal life with Him. I zipped the bag and placed it right back in place. I was certain it wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

I guess I didn't mind the space it occupied in my room anymore because, beyond the physical space, the memories in the bag occupied some space in my heart. The memories we have are all baggage we hold on to. They occupy space in our hearts and our lives. While some of them should be thrown out others are worth holding on to. It’s amazing to find that our luggage literally holds our memories. I spent the day unzipping a few more bags in the quest to discover and re-live some memories. I was certain there were more unzipped memories in my suitcases.

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