Deal of the Day!

Every morning at 8:15 my smart phone receives the Groupon for the day—I love to check it out to see what bargain waits.  Don’t know what Groupon is?  Groupon is a deal-of-the-day website that offers localized discounts.  The website claims you can “receive 50-90% off the best stuff your city has to offer.”  Since I don’t live in a major city, I am signed up to receive deals from DC and Richmond.  Many times I have found great deals.  A couple weeks ago I purchased 2 movie tickets for $4 each!  Around Christmastime, my mom paid $12 for a $24 gift card to Old Navy.  There are really some awesome deals to be had. 

With that being said, I have to say I have found myself either shaking my head, or laughing out loud at a few of the more recent deals.  For example, singing Justin Bieber toothbrushes and a huge reduction toward purchase of the Shake Weight.  A few of today’s offerings showed wine-infused whipped cream (52% off), night vision goggles (44% off), and a sock monkey hat for $9.  Now, I’ve never had wine-infused whipped cream, maybe it’s good.  I don’t really need Justin Bieber singing to me from my toothbrush while I remove plaque, but I do find myself intrigued by the deals!  Many of the deals are service offers.  One I saw the other day was 86% off a chemical peel in Reston.  Am I really going to drive all the way to Northern Virginia for such a deal?  Probably not…however, the funny thing is I found myself saying “that’s a pretty good deal.” 

I think the folks at Groupon are pretty darn clever.  In an era when extreme couponing exists (even enough to create a reality show about it!), and we are carefully spending; we need deals like Groupon to offer us a discount on food, fun, get-aways, and products. 

It made me also think about when Jesus fed 5,000 men with 5 loaves and 2 fish.  Imagine if that sort of “deal” could be offered on the daily Groupon.  What would the discount work out to be??  I’m kidding. :o)

I do think the best offer we have is the grace that’s given to us daily for FREE.  There will never be a coupon or offer better than that.  No matter how many times I mess up.  No matter how crummy I may feel about the choices I have made.  Each day when I wake, there is grace.  There’s no app or email delivery needed.  Anne Lamott wrote, “Grace works like water wings when you feel you are sinking.” 

So, the next time you get your Groupon update take a moment to remember the best deal you have already received.  And, if they ever offer one on water wings I may make the purchase just to have a visual.  Sort of makes me look at their silver “G” in different light.  “G” may be for Groupon, but think also “G” for Grace.

Thanks for reading.