THERE once was a little boy who wanted to meet God.

Anticipating a long trip to where God lived he packed his suitcase with sweets, a pack of orange juice cartons and started his journey.

When he had gone about three streets, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his bag. He was about to take a drink when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry so he offered her a sweet.

She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her an orange juice. Once again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted.

They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As it grew dark, the boy realised how tired he was so he got up to leave but before he had gone more than a few steps; he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face.

She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen."

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate sweets in the park with God." But before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

The first people to follow Jesus Christ discovered that he was full of grace. Grace – an authentic, attractive way of being which wins over the human heart inspiring people to take fresh confidence and begin all over again.

The loving kindness of God really does have a human heart; mercy a human, smiling face and… God has come closer than you'd think. You'll find he has moved into your neighbourhood.