This sunday is Valentine’s Day and I am enjoying waiting on the young men in their teens at the retail jewelry counter where I work part-time.  Last night I waited on a very thoughtful young gentlemen somewhere around age 16.  He spent an inordinate amount of time selecting a diamond heart necklace.  He was very cautious of the price as he pondered and looked over all the jewelry including rings for that perfect gift within his range of affordability.  Most youth his age pull out a rumpled mess of bills, mostly one dollar bills mixed with pocket change and painstakingly count the cost. 

I was fully expecting this young man to do so as well because of his careful selection of a sale item.  I assured him leaving out that small detail of discounted cost would be a good thing, and would not be lying by omission to his girlfriend  in any way, nor reflect a lack of his affection.  His father then showed up from what seemed like thin air and paid for the sterling silver pendant and chain he selected. 

His Dad and I exchanged the normal pleasantries to include “I’d love to hear the insights you glean from teen boys as they seek your advice on selecting  jewelry for their sweethearts”.  We laughed and my only insight from these quiet young giants who stop by my counter is that they want to purchase something on sale, but conceal the matter from the girlfriend. 

I don’t know what I think about the Father buying the sons gift.  The imprint left powerfully on me this day though was a reminder of the price my God paid for my sins.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have ever lasting life.” (John 3:16)   God the Father sacrificed his Son, and  Jesus Christ, the Son, in an act of remarkable humility and obedience to the Father, paid the ultimate price, once for all.  Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe…

Happy Valentines Day,

Trish