February 15th is one of my favorite days of the entire year. Yes, I said the 15th, not the 14th. That is because I can get flowers, chocolate and balloons at half price. Yes, the retailers over-purchasing is my reward.
Moreover, I really like the sales after any major holiday. I usually find amazing offers on sweaters and jackets the last week of December. The day after Easter brings on my beloved Cadbury eggs. November 1st fills the candy jar for the entire year. I love half price anything!
Then, of course, there are even better sales. Kohl's often has some of my favorite clothes marked down 50-70%. Hobby Lobby seems to always have one of their store's sections marked down by 88%. I frequent Good Will stores because I know it won't cost much. And if I am really lucky, the item I want is half off their already incredibly low prices. That's a deal!
But, of course, free is even better! But you have to be careful. Just like the saying goes, “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” Most of the time “free” does not always mean you get it for nothing. Sometimes it means you have to buy one at full price to get the second free—usually referred to as BOGO sales. Or the door-to-door salesman will offer you a free estimate only if you choose to have his company fix anything they find wrong. Recently, we won a “free” cruise for our anniversary to find out that we “only” had to pay about $1000 in hidden fees and taxes. Sometimes free can really be expensive.
But I do know something that you can get for free. Genuinely, free. It has been offered to all of us at no cost. No hidden fees. No taxes. No fine print. A gift for the taking. And the best part is that it is not only free it is also wonderful. I guarantee the best gift you will ever be offered!
“But God gives his people a free gift—eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Eternal life! That is way better than a box of chocolates or discounted roses. Getting to live in heaven forever, for free. That is an amazing deal. An amazing grace.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the (free) gift of God” Ephesians 2:8
If you don't have this gift yet you need to put it on your wish list. Ask someone about it. Call your pastor. Call a friend. Call me. You'll be glad you did. Then after we get eternity taken care of we will go find some other great deals.
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