I love surprises.  The other week I came into my office to be greeted by a wonderful surprise.  The thing that was so cool about this surprise was that it was something I really wanted but was impossible for me to get.  Only someone at the right place at the right time could obtain this treasure.  What was is it?  It was a Felix Hernandez bobble head.  You had to be one of the first 20,000 people at the game that night to get this one-of-kind souvenir.  I did nothing for this awesome gift– someone just gave it to me.  I didn’t earn it and I didn’t deserve it, but I love it!
It’s kind of like the grace and mercy of God.  The Lord abundantly pours out His grace and mercy on us when we don’t deserve it.  He does it because he loves us– grace no strings attached, mercy no strings attached… You don’t even have to be one of the first 20,000 people in line.