Allow me to introduce “Chandon” by Noritake, the fine china I registered for when Paul and I married in 1995. At one of my bridal showers, my mom and sister gave me a place setting, along with a note that said, “What you think you want.” In another package, they gave me a package of paper plates, with a note that said, “What you really want.” I laughed because I was certain I would be using this beautiful, affordable, and practical solution for the many fine dining experiences I was sure we would have in our married lives. In the past 27 years, I’ve probably used it less than a dozen times. This year, on Good Friday, I was thinking about the gift Jesus gave us by dying on the cross for our sins. He voluntarily experienced the most gruesome death possible so we could be reconciled to him when we mess up. It was the greatest gift ever given, and Jesus meant for us to use it. He wants us to come back to Him every time we miss the mark, walk away from Him, feel “less than” or just need a friend. The gift of the cross isn’t just to be used for breaking one of the Big 10. It’s not something we should sit on a shelf and admire from afar. It’s not reserved for special people or circumstances. Yes, like china it is precious and needs to be handled with the utmost care, and every time we hold it we need to celebrate the gift and its giver, and we should never take it for granted, but for this gift to go untouched, out of sight, and out of mind would be the greatest waste of a gift imaginable. We can’t break it and we can’t lose it and sharing it with others only multiplies its value. We wake up each day with new mercies and a fresh slate of infinite forgiveness and love. On this day after Resurrection Sunday, and every day, let’s take our sins to the one who died for them, repent, give thanks, and move forward in righteousness to be the people He’s called us to be. Use the fine china.