Gentle Grace: Reflections and Scriptures on God's Gentle Grace

This companion gift book to Gifford's inspirational album of the same name expands upon some of the themes taken up in her CD, which is her first Christian recording in a quarter century. The book, like the music, is explicitly Christian, and not generically spiritual or soft-pedaled in any way. Gifford talks about the cross, the atonement of Christ and redemption from sin and pain. She mentions that she has been through quite a bit of pain, much of it endured publicly. In 1996, she was accused of abusing children in foreign sweatshops, a charge she denied and which made her cry out to God in anger. Soon, however, she realized that she should stop focusing on herself and concentrate instead on helping children who work in appalling conditions (although she clarifies that""those children had no connection to me""). She speaks poignantly of her father's death and what she has learned from her children. The book's design features pastel colors and soft-focus photographs of Gifford with her family alongside Scripture verses, song lyrics, prayers and reflections.