Inspired by a peaceful evening on Margate beach, watching the sunset and listening to the gentle waves with Alice, Christopher explores how easily we can become distracted from the beauty that surrounds us. A visit to the Turner Contemporary introduces the words, “Please awake - asked nature kindly”, prompting a reflection on what it means to wake up to the world around us, put down our phones and become more present.

The episode also considers a deeper meaning behind those words. Perhaps waking up means not only recognising the beauty of creation, but also becoming more aware of the ways we can damage it and our responsibility to care for what God has entrusted to us.

Christopher reads a short extract from his book, Searching For Grace: Finding God in the Ordinary, reflecting on “the grace of noticing what was always there”, before turning to Psalm 19 and its reminder that “the heavens declare the glory of God”.

Ultimately, this is an episode about gratitude - noticing the beauty that was already there and allowing it to draw us closer to God.

Reflecting on the Gospel of the feeding of the five thousand, Christopher explores the grace of being filled in abundance. The episode begins with a bacon and sausage sandwich-inspired reflection from Fr Stephen, who challenges Christopher to notice the Eucharistic moments that happen when people gather in love, friendship, joy and fellowship.

From an evening of singing at the Catholic Fellowship, including yet another rendition of “Everlasting Love”, to sharing meals, drinks and laughter with family in Margate, Christopher discovers that being filled isn’t always about food. Sometimes we are filled spiritually through the ordinary moments we might otherwise overlook.

The Gospel then offers a deeper perspective. Jesus takes five loaves and two fish and somehow there is enough for everyone, with twelve baskets left over. Christopher reflects on what it means to trust God with what little we have and to recognise the abundance already present in our lives.

And for those who feel empty, there is reassurance too. Jesus knows what it is to grieve, withdraw and feel weary.

Through Scripture, humour and a little northern tangential wandering, this episode invites listeners to notice where grace is filling them too.

As the first week of the summer holidays brings a welcome change of pace, Christopher shares how slowing down has helped him notice God’s grace in the ordinary moments of life. From a simple afternoon of bubble painting at Alice’s studio to a chance conversation during a massage, he explores how quickly life can change when we create space to pause and pay attention.

Drawing on Jesus’ words in Matthew 18, Christopher considers what it really means to “become like little children.” Rather than calling us to be childish, Christ invites us to rediscover childlike trust, joy and freedom from worrying about the opinions of others.

With gentle humour, personal stories and honest reflection, this episode explores the pressures of comparison, the challenge of speaking openly about faith in modern Britain and the invitation to embrace a little more wonder in everyday life.

Perhaps this week, the Gospel’s challenge is wonderfully simple: worry a little less, laugh a little more and, just maybe, be a little more Amelia.

After finding himself running from Stockton to Darlington in the summer heat, Chris encountered an unexpected grace and source of refreshment - a bramble! What may seem like a completely normal moment of thirst quenched by a handful of brambles , soon led him to wonder whether there may have been something more.

In this episode of Grace Actually, Chris explores the grace found in fruit, divine providence in the ordinary and Jesus' invitation to remain in the vine. Through laughter, memories and a little Lectio Divina, Chris asks what fruit God may be growing in our own lives and, maybe more importantly, who may need to receive it.

Through cards, gifts and a beautiful school Mass, he discovers grace in being appreciated and in finally finishing something. 

Together, listeners are invited to sit with Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians and explore what they might be saying about endings, encouragement, peace and trusting God in whatever comes next.