The Jacket

I now have a garmet known only as "The Jacket". Certain friends and family know that when I ask for "The Jacket" they know exactly what to get from the closet. I have only had "TJ" for a week but it is known in the house nonetheless.

Here's the story. While shopping with some friends this last week, I tried on some clothes that were a little out of my comfort zone. My fashion sense consists of OU sweatshirts and jeans. I'm happy that way really but sometimes I feel the need to do my own little "What Not to Wear" and so I go shopping with a friend with more fashion sense than I. Ok, let me be completely honest....this has happened once since college....this last week. I hate to shop with friends. My friends know this and accept it. They love me anyway.

Ok...so clothes...out of comfort zone...well, most of them were also out of my price range. After trying on several outfits and finally trying on "TJ" One friend said, "hey I think this jacket (which I did look pretty cool in I might add) is on sale, you keep trying on clothes and I will go find out if it is on sale". How nice I thought to just myself!!!

When she came back she commented on the cute top I had on and I said, "Thanks, but I can't get it AND the jacket!" and she said "Well, you already own the jacket!", and she handed me a hanger wih a bag covering my new jacket that she had purchased for me.

I didn't even know what to say. What in the world do you say to such a labor of love. I in no way could ever repay her for this gift. If I could I certainly would but I just don't see it ever being possible.

Throughout the week I kept thinking about this unconditional gift from my friend. I can't imagine being able to do this for someone else. The jacket wasn't cheap and I wouldn't have bought it myself. I even contemplated returning the jacket at one point and called my mom to ask her if that would be rude. I didn't want to hurt my friend's feelings or insult her in any way but at the same time I felt as though I couldn't receive such a loving gift.

Now to her this may not have been that big of a deal. She had the money-she bought the jacket. Case closed. But to me it was very touching and has left me this week with deep thoughts:

1-I have great friends.
2-My friends have great taste.
3-The gift is such a beautiful picture of Christ's love for us. I don't mean to get cheesy or anything but think about it. We have such an amazing gift in Jesus Christ that we don't deserve and that we could never pay for and we aren't asked to. We are only asked to accept it with no strings attached as a gift. How cool is that?