How do you put a price on Jesus?

Here I am at my first Gratitude entry.  I’m wondering if it is ever going to be hard to think of one every day of the year. I’m thinking it will be more like, “How do I choose just one?”

Of course there are probably hundreds and hundreds of things I am thankful for, however The #1 that I must say is  my love for my Savior. I have had so many times in my life when I have seen his hand in things - Big miracles and small. I am grateful for his sacrifice and for the power of the atonement. I have a funny story about this picture that I am posting.

I frequent the Goodwill by my house about once every other week or so. A couple days ago I dropped by to see what little treasures I couldn’t live without, and I was shocked when I came across this. A beautiful painting of Christ. Ok, so the frame is a little shabby, but replaceable. So many thoughts - Who did this belong to? Why would someone give this away? Have they lost their way? I was kind of sad a little for some reason to see it at the Goodwill. I didn’t want to feel sad when I looked at it so I told myself,  “they bought a bigger one and wanted someone to enjoy it as much as they did.” There, that will be the story. How was I so lucky to find it?

I brought is up to the counter to a girl who was quite, hmmm how do I put this. tatoos, pearcings in some odd places, not that that determines the person, but she was also really grumpy and cold. So maybe she was having a bad day. As each customer in front of me came to the front of the line she would take their items (no how are you) shove them in the bag tell them how much they owed Throw the bag to the end of the counter, take there money and say next - All without looking any one in the eye or saying anything nice. So I get up and again she takes the picture of Christ and stops. Yes stops for about 60 seconds, which seemed like a really long time when you have customers behind you. She smiled. Yes smiled at the picture, and then smiled at me. Then she said the sweetest thing, “I haven’t seen this since I was a little girl. My grandmother had this picture in her family room. This is beautiful.” She couldn’t stop looking at it. Then she went to ring me up and said, “I feel a little funny about this… It feels strange to charge for this. How do you put a price on Jesus?” I laughed out loud and so did she. She softened and I felt VERY guilty for judging her. I had a smile all day.

I know Jesus is my savior, and I know that he lives.