Book Review: Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Grace

For many women, our actions do not seem extraordinary. If we are parents, we might be packing lunches or driving our children to their activities. If we are active in our churches, we might be volunteering in the church office or in one (or more) ministries. We might be supporting our spouse’s career or caring for aging parents. Many of our actions seem ordinary. 

Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Grace, by Martha Van Buskirk (published by Concordia Publishing House) reminds us that God notices our everyday obedience and will quite often work through it. Our ordinary actions in our ordinary lives are opportunities for us to shine the light of God to others. And that light might be just the hope someone needs.

The author points out that “the Bible is filled with inspirational stories of imperfect, ordinary people who were chosen by God to be His extraordinary instruments as he accomplished His will here on earth.” We can be encouraged that we too are imperfect, ordinary women, but that God can mightily use us to fulfill his purposes. In ordinary ways. With extraordinary grace.

This book would work well as either an individual read or as a small group study or discussion. Each of the 10 chapters starts with a Biblical Anchor verse, a Key Takeaway, a thoughtful discussion of the chapter’s theme, some Points to Ponder, some Action Challenges, and finally an encouraging Prayer. The tone is encouraging, rather than academic. It is reassuring and calls us to trust in God because He is at work on our everyday lives. Our ordinary lives.