Just Released!
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Just Released! 〰️
Show Them Through Me: Unfiltered Grace is a candid, faith‑driven memoir about learning to stop managing life and finally start living it. Chris Smith traces the long arc from emotional survival to spiritual awakening, offering an honest look at what healing really requires when you’ve spent years hiding your heart behind humor, silence, and self‑protection.
Growing up in the shadows of generational trauma, Chris became an expert at staying small and staying quiet. But when the life she built could no longer hold the weight of what she carried, she encountered a God who wasn’t interested in her polished version—only the truth. What follows is a story of surrender, restoration, and the surprising grace that meets us in the places we least expect.
Written with warmth, wit, and unfiltered honesty, this memoir speaks to anyone who has ever felt unseen, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns they didn’t choose. It’s a testimony of redemption that doesn’t pretend healing is tidy—but insists it’s possible.
Show Them Through Me: Unfiltered Grace
About the Author
Her writing blends humor, honesty, and spiritual clarity as she explores generational patterns, family history, and the quiet moments that shape a life.
Rooted in Arkansas, Chris writes with a voice that is vulnerable, direct, and deeply human. She doesn’t preach, teach, or fix. She simply tells the truth of her own story and invites readers to consider their own. Her work reflects a belief that healing often begins in the ordinary places where courage and grace meet. When she isn’t writing, she’s creating spaces for community, reflection, and real conversation.
"This book has already captivated me!! I can't wait to get home and read more. May God bless you for having the courage to follow His prompting." -J. Hartz
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"I'm so moved and I understand now why we got along in our quirky ways." - K. Buck
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"I just finished reading your book. Parts of it were hard to imagine you having to live through." -C. Peterson
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"It's one of those reads that keeps me wanting more. It's well written." -F. Taylor
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"I need more!! I could not put it down!" -S. Willis
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"This book has already captivated me!! I can't wait to get home and read more. May God bless you for having the courage to follow His prompting." -J. Hartz ✳︎ "I'm so moved and I understand now why we got along in our quirky ways." - K. Buck ✳︎ "I just finished reading your book. Parts of it were hard to imagine you having to live through." -C. Peterson ✳︎ "It's one of those reads that keeps me wanting more. It's well written." -F. Taylor ✳︎ "I need more!! I could not put it down!" -S. Willis ✳︎
Invite us to speak at your next event!
We bring a shared heart for Jesus and a unique blend of messages that meet people right where they are. Eric teaches on abiding in the Vine and living a life rooted in Christ, along with other messages that call people deeper into relationship with God. Chris speaks on hope, grace, and restoration — and also ministers through music.
We travel together and serve together, and depending on your event, we can speak individually or as a team. Whether it’s a men’s gathering, women’s conference, church service, retreat, or community event, our desire is the same: to point people to Jesus through real stories, honest faith, and the transforming power of grace.
We’d love to come alongside what God is doing in your community.
The Grace Collective is a small, intentional publishing family dedicated to voices that value heart and honesty. We believe the most powerful stories are the ones that haven’t been polished to hide the rough edges, because that is where the most profound grace is found.
We are highly selective, choosing to partner with authors who share our heart for restoration and the truth of a life transformed. We view each book as a curated testimony—a raw look at how grace works in the messy middle of real life. While we may not publish every story we read, we are always looking for the next one that needs to be told.
Who We Are
We are a community of people learning, growing, and walking together with intention. Through shared conversations, and meaningful relationships, we create space for hope, dignity, and transformation to take root. From cars to conversations, we believe restoration happens when we walk together and we look to Jesus as the One who leads the way.
We are a nonprofit built to serve the people who’ve been overlooked, underestimated, or left behind.
What we do
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We give cars to families who are rebuilding their lives.
Every vehicle we are given is given to someone walking through a season of transition, recovery, or new beginnings.
We walk with each recipient through budgeting, community support, and next steps.
Our goal is long‑term stability, not a one‑time gift. We come alongside families as they grow, heal, and move forward.
We create spaces for learning, discipleship, and real conversation.
We find places where people can grow spiritually, learn practical skills, and walk together through the challenges of everyday life.
We equip people to minister to their own communities.
We host worship, testimony, and jam‑session nights.
These gatherings create a safe, joyful space for people to share what God is doing, build relationships, and experience community in a real and meaningful way.
We partner with churches, nonprofits, and recovery programs.
These relationships help us identify families who are ready for the next step and allow us to walk with them in a way that honors their dignity and story.
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The car we give isn’t a quick fix or a replacement for something that broke. It’s a piece of a much bigger restoration story. We walk with people who are already rebuilding their lives — people showing courage, commitment, and a desire for long‑term stability. The restored car simply becomes one of the tools God uses to help them keep moving forward. It’s a doorway, not the destination.
And honestly… there’s something stirring in all of this.
Every time a family receives a reliable vehicle, every time someone steps into a new beginning, it feels like a small spark of revival — hope rising in places where it once felt out of reach.
This isn’t about handing out cars.
It’s about walking with people as God restores what was broken.
The car is just one part of the story — a practical piece of a much deeper work.
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In the summer of 2025, everything changed.
We set out to restore a few worn‑out cars so families in our community could avoid the weight of a car payment. But before long, God made it clear this work was meant to be more than mechanical.The turning point came in an ordinary parking lot.
One of the cars we had restored still sat with its “for sale” sign fading in the sun. That’s when God told us — unmistakably — to give it away. Not just that one, but another we had already repaired. So we did.Those first three cars revealed the deeper story God was writing.
The first went to a mechanic rebuilding his life. We sat with him, looked at his budget, and helped him take steps toward stability. We also helped him get connected to a local church so he could have community around him. He eventually chose a different direction, and that’s okay. We offer what we can with open hands, trusting God with the rest.The second went to a man who had been homeless and had nearly lost hope. After entering a recovery program, he rebuilt his life piece by piece. He rode an e‑bike to work every day and didn’t miss a shift, following the strict schedule and budget required by the program. When he received a car, doors opened for him to see his children again and step into a better job — one he likely earned through the strong reference he built by showing up faithfully.
The third went to two sisters who had faithfully served their church and community for years. Restoring a car for them restored their ability to serve — to pick people up for church, run errands for others, and continue being a blessing in the place they love. Today, they help care for our food and hope bags, pouring back into the mission that once poured into them.
Since then, generosity has multiplied.
Families, neighbors, and even strangers have donated cars — with more on the way. Every vehicle is being restored to reliability and prepared for a new beginning in the hands of someone walking through a season of rebuilding.This is the heart of our mission.
Cars are donated.
We restore them with care.
And we give them away — freely, faithfully, and with open hands.Because we are called to carry one another’s burdens.
Galatians 6 shapes the way we serve: gently, humbly, and side by side. We simply show up, trusting God to bring hope, dignity, and stability to the families we walk with.Show Them Through Me is growing — one car, one story, one restored life at a time.
And we invite you to help light the way for the next family ready for a new beginning. -
• Restoration: We believe in renewing what’s broken in cars, in confidence, and in hope.
• Walking Together: We grow in community, choosing to walk beside one another with intention and compassion.
• Dignity: Every person carries worth, and we honor that through respect, encouragement, and care.
• Practical Love: We serve through action offering dependable vehicles, meaningful conversations, and steady presence.
• Jesus at the Center: His love guides how we serve, restore, and walk with others.
• Community Participation: Everyone has something to offer, and we create space for people to learn, share, and grow.
• Hope: We believe small acts of restoration can open the door to new possibilities.
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Our mission is to restore hope, dignity, and opportunity by providing reliable vehicles and the love of Jesus — because restoration is a journey we take together.
How you can help
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Every vehicle becomes a doorway to stability for a family rebuilding their life. We evaluate each car and determine the reliability. All reliable cars and cars that can be easily restored to reliable condition are given to someone ready for a new beginning.
Show Them Through Me is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 39-4658492.
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Your generosity helps cover parts, repairs, tools, and the practical needs that make restoration possible. Every gift — big or small — helps move a family forward.
Show Them Through Me is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 39-4658492.
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Help prepare food and hope bags, support our classes and groups, lend a hand in the shop, or join us for worship and testimony nights. There’s a place for every gift and every heart.
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Prayer is one of the most powerful ways to support this mission. Pray for wisdom, provision, protection, and restoration for every family and volunteer.
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Tell someone about what God is doing here. Invite a friend to a gathering. Share. Spread hope.
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Every act of generosity becomes part of someone’s restoration story. A donated car becomes a way for a parent to get to work, reunite with their children, or step into a new beginning. A financial gift turns into parts, tools, and repairs that make a car safe and reliable again.
Your support also fuels the spaces where people grow — classes, discussion groups, worship nights, and moments of real community. And when someone takes a food or hope bag to a neighbor who’s struggling, your generosity becomes a ripple of encouragement that reaches far beyond our shop.
You’re not just helping us give away cars.
You’re helping people rebuild their lives, reconnect with community, and experience the hope that comes from being seen, supported, and loved.Restoration takes all of us.
And your help truly matters.
Show Them Through Me is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 39-4658492.
Join the Movement
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Join the Movement *
Something is happening here — something simple and steady and full of hope. It’s not flashy. It’s not complicated. It’s just people showing up for one another, carrying a little light, and trusting God to do what only He can do.
If your heart beats for restoration…
If you believe in walking with people, not judging them…
If you want to be part of something that grows one story, one car, one conversation at a time…
Then you’re already part of this movement.
Come serve.
Come give.
Come pray.
Come be a small piece of someone’s new beginning.
Hope grows when we carry it together.
Join the Movement
Get in Touch
Frequently Asked Questions
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Recipients are nominated by churches, nonprofits, and recovery programs who walk closely with them. These partners help us identify individuals and families who are rebuilding their lives and are ready for the next step. We trust their insight because they know the person’s story, progress, and needs in a way that honors their dignity.
We don’t take direct applications at this time.
Instead, we work through trusted community partners so we can walk with each family in a healthy, supportive, and sustainable way. -
We’re honored you’re asking this question.
Our vehicle program works through nominations from local churches and community organizations here in Garland County. We partner with leaders who walk closely with individuals and families throughout the year and can see when someone is truly ready for the responsibility of a restored vehicle.Here’s how someone becomes eligible:
They are nominated by a church or local organization.
We do not take direct applications. Instead, we rely on trusted partners who know the person’s story and growth.They have completed a restorative program.
Many of our recipients have finished a year‑long recovery program, life‑skills classes, or other intensive programs that support long‑term stability.They have shown faithfulness and commitment.
Some are devoted members of their church community—serving, learning, and consistently taking steps toward a healthier, more stable life.They have demonstrated real change over time.
Over the course of a year or more, they’ve built new patterns, made courageous choices, and reached a place where having a vehicle again will help them continue moving forward.
When a partner organization nominates someone, we review the nomination and, if selected, provide a fully restored vehicle at no cost.
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We partner with churches and local organizations who walk closely with individuals and families throughout the year. These partners help us identify people who are ready for the responsibility of a restored vehicle and who have shown steady growth over time.
Here’s how the nomination process works:
1. Become a community partner.
Churches and organizations can reach out to us to learn about our mission, our expectations, and how the nomination process works. Once connected, they can begin submitting nominations when appropriate.2. Walk with the individual or family.
We rely on partners who have a real relationship with the person they’re nominating. Most nominees have completed a year‑long recovery program, have completed or teach life‑skills classes, and/or have been faithfully serving and growing within their church community.3. Submit a nomination form.
Partner organizations complete a detailed nomination form that helps us understand the person’s journey, their progress, and why a vehicle would support their next steps.4. We review each nomination with care.
Because each restored vehicle represents a significant investment, we look for nominees who have demonstrated consistency, responsibility, and readiness for long‑term stability.
If your church or organization would like to become a nominating partner, we’d love to connect and share more about how we can work together to restore hope and opportunity in our community.
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Donating your car is one of the most impactful ways to support our mission. Every vehicle—running or not—helps us restore reliable transportation for individuals and families in our community.
Here’s how the donation process works:
1. Contact us to start the donation.
Reach out through our website and we’ll gather a few basic details about your vehicle.2. We schedule a pickup or drop‑off.
If your car isn’t running, we can arrange a tow at no cost to you. If it is running, you’re welcome to bring it to our shop.3. Complete a simple donation form.
We’ll walk you through the paperwork, including the title transfer, so everything is handled correctly and easily.4. Our team restores the vehicle.
Your donated car will be repaired, inspected, and prepared to be given to a nominated family who is ready for the responsibility of a reliable vehicle.5. You receive a tax‑deduction receipt.
As a registered nonprofit, we provide documentation for your charitable contribution.
Your donation becomes part of someone’s restoration story—opening the door to work, school, and everyday life with dignity and hope.
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Short answer: no.
We’ve retired our pilot program that offered low‑ or no‑cost repairs for ALICE families.We do not do for-profit car repairs in exchange for donations. Please do not ask.
We do accept donations and financial support to further the mission from cheerful givers with no strings attached!
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Our vehicle program is designed to do more than meet an immediate need. We partner with churches and local organizations who walk closely with individuals and families over the course of a year or more. By the time someone receives a restored vehicle, they’ve already built the habits, support systems, and personal stability needed to move forward with confidence.
Here’s how the program supports long‑term stability:
We work through trusted partners who know each person’s journey.
Churches and organizations nominate individuals who have shown steady growth, responsibility, and readiness—not just short‑term need.Recipients have completed meaningful restorative work.
Many have finished a year‑long recovery program, life‑skills classes, or other intensive programs that help them rebuild their lives from the inside out.We look for consistency over time.
The people who receive our cars have demonstrated faithfulness, commitment, and real change across many months—not just a moment of crisis.A reliable vehicle becomes a tool for continued growth.
Transportation opens the door to work, school, medical care, church involvement, and everyday responsibilities that support long‑term stability.We restore cars with care so they can be depended on.
Each vehicle is repaired, inspected, and prepared to give the recipient a strong, safe start.
By the time a car is given, it’s not a quick fix—it’s the next step in a much larger story of restoration, responsibility, and hope.
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Our approach is built on relationship, restoration, and long‑term growth, not quick fixes. We partner with churches and local organizations who walk closely with individuals and families over the course of a year or more. By the time someone receives a restored vehicle, they’ve already done the deep work that supports lasting stability.
Here’s what sets our program apart:
We work through trusted community partners.
Instead of taking direct applications, we rely on churches and organizations who know each person’s story, growth, and readiness. This ensures that every vehicle goes to someone who has been genuinely supported and seen.Recipients have completed meaningful restorative work.
Many have finished a year‑long recovery program, life‑skills classes, or other intensive programs that help them rebuild their lives from the inside out.We focus on long‑term stability, not short‑term relief.
A restored vehicle is given at a point when it can truly help someone move forward—toward work, school, family responsibilities, and community involvement.Every car is restored with care and intention.
Our team repairs, inspects, and prepares each vehicle so it’s safe, reliable, and ready to support the next chapter of someone’s life.We honor the dignity of every person we serve.
Our process is relational, not transactional. We walk alongside our partners and recipients in a way that reflects hope, respect, and shared community.
In short, we don’t just give away cars—we invest in people who have invested in their own growth, and we join their story at a moment when a reliable vehicle can help them keep moving forward.