Thin Places by Mary DeMuth

Readers to Pollywog Creek know my favorite place for coffee and good books is on the backyard swing under the sweetgum trees, and if you had recently come for a visit, that is exactly where you would have found me - with a large hazelnut creme latte and mesmerized by Thin Places, Mary DeMuth's poignant memoir.

As Mary describes her captivating autobiography...

"It’s the story of a little girl who faced sexual abuse, neglect, drug-using parents, fear, death of a parent, and a host of other malevolence."

Thin Places is a heartrending read, but an important one. A master story-teller, Mary bravely takes us into some of her deepest, darkest pain, but she doesn't leave us there despairing, broken without hope. Much more than the story of Mary's grievous suffering, Thin Places is...

"...a hope-filled story, where the bright light of God’s climactic redemption outshines the dark places. It’s a story of God’s nearness when I thought I’d nearly lose my mind and will to live. How grateful I am for the beautiful love of Jesus, how dearly He chose frail me to shame the wise. It’s really His story after all."

Mary's story is tragically not unique, but resonates with many of us who have either been abused, neglected or mistreated, or have ministered to others. Thin Places is a beautiful and powerful example of 2 Corinthians 1:3,4...

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

With her gift of story, Mary comforts others with the comfort with which she was comforted. She reminds us that we are not alone - that there is hope and healing in our brokenness, and she helps us see the thin places, those "snatches of holy ground" where God was and is near.

I was provided a review copy of Thin Places by the publisher in exchange for a review. Though I usually pass my review copies on to others, I'm keeping my copy of Thin Places and purchasing copies to give away. I encourage you to do the same. Buy (at least) two copies - one to keep, one to give away.

If you suspect that Thin Places is a book you need to read, but you are unable to purchase it, please let me know.

Mary DeMuth

Other stops on the Thin Places Blog Tour

Jeanne Damoff's Review of Thin Places is a MUST read. By the way, Mary dedicates Thin Places to Jeanne, who she says "dances on Jacob-shaped thin places with joy." You MUST get to know Jeanne and you will understand what Mary means.