Agape, Philia or Eros | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Agape, Philia or Eros | Previous Challenge Entry
By Julene Celander
09/13/14
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It was extremely dark except for the little bit of artificial light peaking through the tiny air vents. He rattled the door. Nothing budged. The door was locked. Now what was he going to do? He rattled the door again with no results. It was official…he had once again been stuffed into his locker and this time they had replaced the padlock.

Grace entered the room looking for Steve to be in his usual front row seat. He would never miss biology class. It was his favorite time of the day. Only today, he wasn’t there and she wondered why. It had to be something real bad keeping him from class.

The third period bell rang and Steve began calling out for help. Finally someone had stopped and asked, “Is there really someone in this locker?”

“Yes!” declared Steve. “I would appreciate it ever so much if you could find Grace Love and tell her I need assistance. She should be headed to English Literature in Mrs. Mayfield’s room…room 222. Tell her it is Steve.”

Grace was the best friend Steve had. She was always ready to assist any way she could. Without her encouragement, patience, kindness, and joy he certainly wouldn’t have much to look forward to in his everyday life. He knew she would come without question and release him. She was the only person he trusted with his lock combination. They shared many secrets between them.

Steve heard footsteps and said a little prayer that Grace had come to his rescue. He knew she had when the padlock began very quietly whirring. Past zero twice, right past thirty-two then stop on thirty-two, left past twenty-six then stop on twenty-six, right to thirty-four and stop. (Gracie’s measurements.) Steve loved Grace, but it was a deeper love than anyone understood. It was ‘agape’ love, the kind of love the apostle Paul talked about in 1Corinthians 13. The kind of love that always puts the other person first.

As the locker door opened Grace reached in to pull Steve out and gave him a warm generous hug. “The school bullies again?” was her only question.
Steve nodded his head in affirmation. “Why don’t you report them?”

“I would just as soon keep praying for them. I trust God to handle any and all situations. I am so very sorry you are missing your English Lit class to help me.”
“Think nothing of it. You know I will always come running when you need help. You know I am always here for you!”

Steve and Grace sat on the steps of the ‘up’ staircase and finished the rest of the fourth period in deep discussion. They planned to study together after school and if all went well maybe they would have time for a movie afterward. Grace loved Steve in the same way that he loved her.

Most people didn’t understand their friendship and just knew it had to more than friendship. Maybe one day it could be more…but not until they were both comfortable with the ‘agape’ kind of love. Relationships could not survive without that kind of love and they both knew they had some growing to do.

Sometimes Grace was upset when she didn’t hear from Steve for days on end. She had to learn to accept the fact that he was a very busy person and didn’t do it out of spite or neglect. She was getting much better at accepting this and she was growing.

Sometimes Steve was too busy to even say thank you, but she knew he really did appreciate her and all she did. Sometimes he believed all she did was negative in thought and action. It had been in the past and she understood why he might still think that without looking at the facts.

All in all their friendship was growing stronger as each of them grew and matured. They trusted one another more easily and relied on one another to get them through the daily hassles. They had each other’s backs and whole heartedly prayed for one another. They enjoyed the times they shared and it was comfortable.

After Grace had headed home, Steve opened his dictionary and read the definition of agape love…agape love is unconditional and selfless and the purest of all three types of love. Christ showed agape love. The more he thought about this definition he realized he had this in his life. His life was made rich by love and Grace.

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