Download the FREE Hope & Kindness Cards Here

In the little increments of time that tick past in our fast-paced and increasingly me-focused world, how often do we take a moment to think of where others—family, friends, or total strangers—might be in their hearts and lives? Maybe they have silent struggles from personal hardships they’re facing, or they might feel a little hopeless and troubled by current events unfolding around us.

But what if we could bring a little hope and kindness into their day? In Cathy Liggett’s newest novel, The Sisters of Sugarcreek, three women cross paths after tragedy strikes and form an unlikely friendship. As the Secret Stitches Society, they are dedicated to bringing a stitch of hope to others, and they sneak around in the night to anonymously drop off gifts that let those who are hurting or in need know someone cares.

“A stitch of hope, Rose would always say, was just the thing that could get a person through. . . .”

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, let’s all take a cue from the Secret Stitches Society. Dedicate the entire month of February to opening your heart and brightening the day of the person next to you, and then take it one step further: inspire him or her to pay that hope and kindness forward. Imagine the beautiful tapestry we could stitch together through little acts of kindness, woven full of hope and love.

Here’s how you can extend a message of hope and kindness to others:

PREP

Print and cut out the Hope & Kindness Cards, and carry them with you.

ACT

Perform random acts of kindness throughout your days or weeks. You can follow some of the suggestions below, or you can come up with your own:

– Buy coffee for the person behind you in line.

– Tape change to a vending machine.

– Donate books to the library.

– Leave Valentine’s Day cards for strangers.

– Leave a happy note for someone to find.

– Send flowers to a local nursing home.

– Attach a small note of kindness to a flower. Leave it on someone’s car.

– Donate children’s books to your local church, homeless shelter, or food pantry.

INSPIRE

Encourage others to pass along a token of hope and pay it forward. Leave a Hope & Kindness Card with your random act, and watch your actions spread.

SHARE

Encourage your friends, family, and community to get involved. Share your stories and experiences on social media and tag with #stitchinghope.

We can’t wait to hear about the amazing joy you’ll spread. After all, little acts of kindness can go a long way. And you never know how far they’ll reach.

The Sisters of Sugarcreek by Cathy Liggett

Many lives were changed the day a fire burned down Faith Community Church, devastating the small town of Sugarcreek, Ohio.

Now a young Amish widow, Lydia Gruber faces an uncertain future. Her husband, a craftsman and volunteer firefighter, always took care of everything, keeping her isolated from others in their community. Without anyone or any skills, how will she survive?

With the death of her beloved aunt Rose in the fire, single mom Jessica Holtz inherits Rose’s Knit One Quilt Too cottage. Though determined to keep the shop open in her aunt’s memory, she doesn’t know the first thing about knitting and quilting and begins to see her aunt’s dream slip through her fingers.

When Liz Cannon lost her dear friend Rose, she also lost her partner in the Secret Stitches Society—the name they gave themselves while delivering gifts of hope to troubled folks in the dark of night. Liz convinces Jessica to keep the anonymous society going, despite the younger women’s inadequacy with knitting and sewing needles. But soon Liz has problems of her own as the life she has rebuilt for herself begins to crumble again.

When Liz and Jessica choose Lydia for their first mission, the three women cross paths and form an unlikely friendship in the aftermath of tragedy. As they walk together through triumph and heartbreak—through grief and new chances at love—they begin to discover that with friends by your side, a stitch of hope can be found anywhere.

Learn more HERE.