Christ's Love

This picture is one of my favorite pictures of Christ. I also love the story behind it:

Del Parson says:

"For a long time, the idea of painting Christ with a smile has been in the back of my mind. I’ve wanted to show a very friendly, personal, and loving portrait—one that children especially can relate to.
One Sunday, our ward was having the Primary Sacrament meeting program. The children were singing and reciting their parts and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a man with this wonderful smile on his face. That smile just drew me in. After the meeting, I looked back and said something like, “I noticed your smile.” I told him that was the kind of smile I was looking for to use in a painting. I don’t even think he realized he had been smiling, but he told me the story behind his expression. His little boy had been afraid to go up on the stand and participate in the program. He was scared to sing and do his part in front of that big congregation because he was new in the ward. The father knew his son was afraid and didn’t want to go up there, but he did it anyway—and he did a great job.
That man’s smile was a very genuine, loving smile. It was a father proudly watching his son accomplish something that was very difficult."