If you knew how prideful I really am, you wouldn’t like me.  It’s disgusting.  I hate it – but continue to struggle with it.  And I’ve tried multiple strategies of fighting pride in my heart: I’ve tried self-loathing – doesn’t work.  I’ve tried making mental lists of all the things that I fail at and am terrible at – doesn’t work.  I’ve tried telling myself over and over, “Consider others better than yourself.”  But, at the end of the day – these may be momentary fixes, but don’t create real change in my life.

And then I’m confronted with Grace.  And Grace is a crazy thing, because it really has a way of turning your life upside down.

If I’m able to cook an edible meal – Grace.

If I’m having a good hair day – Grace.

If I respect Halim or love my kids – Grace.

That my lungs can breathe this breath or my heart can beat this beat – Grace.

If I understand a single word of Scripture – Grace.

If I have the desire and ability to pray a prayer to God, sing a word of praise, speak a word of Truth – Grace, grace, grace.

The first day that I believed in Christ, and the fact that I believe in Him still – Grace.

That I’m able to live by faith, or die and go Home – Grace.

And I find that I’m left with nothing to praise myself for, but much for which I must trust in God.  So, by His Grace, I am able to fight against pride by the Truth that I have accomplished nothing good apart from Him and – little by little, I become free from self-exaltation.

Grace is pretty great.