Hands Of Grace by Brenda Anderson

Redemption And Restoration

Hands Of Grace by Brenda Anderson is a delightful contemporary Christian novel surrounding grace, forgiveness and second chances. It is part of the Potter’s House series of books but can be read as a stand-alone.

A focus of the novel is dementia. Brenda Anderson has sensitively portrayed this whilst showing the difficulties faced daily by those caring for their loved ones. “Nothing was tougher than watching your loved ones lose themselves.” Patience and love radiates throughout.

Forgiveness and grace are major themes. “I’ve done too much to be forgiven.” No one is ever so far from God that He casts them out. No matter where we’ve been, no matter what we’ve done, God longs for each and every one of us to return to Him. He longs to welcome us home. In Him we can have a new beginning because of His free gift of grace.

There is the theme of trust. We develop trust issues when people let us down. “One more person lying to her, building up her bank of mistrust.” We do need to open ourselves up to trusting others again. Not everyone we meet is out to deceive us. Some huge characters give out of the goodness of their hearts.

Faith in God is important. “God is good even when bad things happen.” We need to remember this when we face the valleys of life. We were never promised an easy life. We were promised that God would never leave us nor forsake us. “I wasn’t too happy with God, but He never gave up on me.” No matter where we wander, God will never give up on us.

Within the story there is a house in need of some restoration. This is a motif for lives in need of restoration from God. In Him we can have a shiny new beginning.

Brenda Anderson has drawn some wonderful characters who are easy to empathise with. I loved Rita, the lead character, with strength, vulnerability and lashings of love and patience. In her insecurity she tried to work her way to love. This is in complete contrast to God’s love… we do not earn it. At times, we do not deserve it but God loves each one of us unconditionally. There is nothing we can do to make Him love us any more or any less. He just loves us with an everlasting love.

I adore all Brenda Anderson’s novels. She creates wonderful stories with godly themes and flawed characters who are so easy to identify with.

Hands Of Grace is a bright spot and perfect read at any time of year.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON

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