God is Grace

Today, I am just so in awe of God. I am amazed by His continual mercy and grace in my life. Recently I have begun to understand that God's grace is without conditions. So easily do I fall into the mindset, when God blesses me, that because I have leaned on God and have not strayed during a time of great trial that that is why God is showing me grace. Apparently I am a little slow. Grace by definition is something undeserved. So the fact that I even think that my "good" behavior contributes at all is ridiculous. In Exodus 33:19 God says " I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious...". Grace is in the very essence of God. One of my favorite quotes is " God does not look outside of his own will for an impulse to move his grace." I always knew that I did not have the ability to manipulate God with my actions, but somehow I still always thought that when I was NOT trying to manipulate God, my actions of humility (typed with sarcasm) would put me into God's favor. How earth shattering to know that God's grace is not inspired by my "good" behavior, nor constrained by my failures and wretchedness. Grace is just who God is. And that is something I am extremely grateful for!