Small Acts of Grace by Alice Gray is a wonderful book. It is packed with heartwarming and encouraging stories that make a difference in the lives of those around us. In this easy-to-read book, the stories explore spreading hope, encouraging others, being a wonderful neighbour, friendship, mothers, and much more. It’s a book that requires intention to act on our part.
In addition to the wonderful stories, it includes thought-provoking questions you can use for discussion or journaling. It also offers creative, practical ideas to spread hope, love and encouragement. Plus plenty of quotes, Bible verses, and prayers to fulfil the call.
A few chapters stood out to me. Chapter 2, When Daisies Dance, made me realise many needs are long-term and ongoing, so our offers of love and encouragement need to be long-term too—not only at the beginning, but through follow-through. We must remember to do what we say we would do. Sometimes we don’t know who needs comforting, and it’s good to know we’re not on our own in this effort because God will also give us the “nudge.” Be sensitive to God’s gentle tug, then obey and take action.
Chapter 3, Day Brighteners, is my favourite. It is about spreading sunshine and brightening a person’s day through spoken words, a caring touch and a helping hand. We are not to be discouraged when our acts of kindness do not seem to make any difference. We should keep showing love and compassion. At the end of the chapter—as in every other chapter in the book—there is a wonderful story from other writers. In Chapter 3, something as simple as homemade cookies made a huge difference in another person’s life.
I’ve read the book. The question to ask myself now is: What can I do to make a DIFFERENCE today?
