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Thursday, February 11
Today, I am honored to be a part of the book blog tour for Mary DeMuth’s Thin Places. I’ll be giving away the book, so if you would like to be in the drawing for it, please leave a comment at the end of this post. Tell me a little bit about your background and your family.
You can read my testimony on my website (www.marydemuth.com). I came from a difficult upbringing, but Jesus saw fit to find me at fifteen. He has utterly changed my life.
I’ve been married 18 years to my husband Patrick (who’s been told he looks like George Clooney on more than one occasion). Interesting side note: I’ve been told I look like Laura Dern, and we share the EXACT same birthday. Twins separated at birth? Possibly. If you’re reading this and you’re chums with Laura, could you probe a bit?
George (er, Patrick) and I have three kids: Sophie, Aidan and Julia. Sophie’s learning to drive—and what’s interesting is that I’m not worried about it. She’s a careful driver. My son Aidan is thirteen. He’s passionate about finding water for a small village in Ghana. We got to go on the trip of a lifetime to meet the village of Sankpem last summer. Our daughter Julia is ten and is deeply kindhearted, beautiful inside and out. We also have an overly needy (farting) dog and a fat and fuzzy (sometimes cranky) cat.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
This may sound strange, but I wanted to be a doctor. But even then, the writer in me came out because I liked the cadence of my maiden name with the title doctor. Mary Walker, Medical Doctor.
What trials did you face as a child?
Childhood sexual abuse at five
Parents with addictions
Feelings of being unwanted
An unsafe home
Neglect
Death of a parent
Loneliness
Suicidal thoughts
Three divorces
It’s hard to write all that out and not feel bad for little me. But even in the recounting, I’ve been able to see the thin places in my life, those snatches of moments where God came near. That’s the message and hope of Thin Places, being able to see the nearness of God amidst heartache.
What compelled you to write Thin Places?
I felt sufficiently healed from my past, which had been a long, long journey. And in that healing, I knew I had the perspective I needed to be able to communicate my story with hope. In the past, I’d vomit my story of sexual abuse and neglect on any poor soul who’d listen, not with the intention to help her grow through her story, but to gain empathy.
But now I marvel at the path God’s brought me on, how gently He’s led me to this place of wholeness. From that abundance, I share my story. Why? Because I believe sharing the truth about our stories helps others see their own stories.
While I recorded the audio book for Thin Places, the producer asked me why I’d splay my life out this way.
“Because I don’t want folks to feel alone,” I told him.
“You’ve given a gift,” he said.
I sure hope so.
What do you hope readers gain from reading your memoir?
I hope they see hope.
I hope they realize how profound and surprising and radical God’s redemption is.
I hope they’ll see the irresistibility of Jesus.
Thin Places may be purchased from Amazon for $14.99.
Mary's sites...
Website: marydemuth.com
Personal blog: Relevantblog
Writing sites:
The Writing Spa
So You Wanna Be Published
Recipe blog: A Daily Recipe
My Family Secrets
I've heard nothing but amazing things about this book. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Great interview, Lynn.
Lynn, I am so excited to have a chance to win this book. I have looked forward to reading it ever since I heard about it several months ago. I have a similar story to Mary's and look forward to hearing her story and seeing how God worked redemption in her life. Thanks for participating in the tour!
I have also heard great things about this book! It's definitely on my "to read" list. Your interview makes me even more eager to get it. Thanks!
I would love to have a chance to win this book. I am always looking for great new books to read.
As a Christian Writer I have been inspired, encouraged and enlightened by Mary's writings for many years. I hope she would publish a new book. I am so glad she did and I would love to win it.
Angela Posey-Arnold
Lynn, Thank you so much for interviewing Mary DeMuth. I also have suffered some at the hands of those who were supposed to nurture me. I look forward to reading Thin Places.
In Christ Alone,
Berta
www.bertadickerson.com
Would love to read this book!
Whether or not I win, I'd just like to add: the Lord works in great ways. It's always for the best.
I have heard great things about this book. Looking forward to reading it. :)
Thanks for the chance to possibly win it!
Lynn, thank you for sharing this interview! Mary, what a blessing that God has worked in your life to heal you and use you to help in the healing of others through your gift of writing! I knew what a wonderful writer you are but didn't know much about your family. It's interesting to learn a little more about you! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Thin Places!
well, I would love to read the book and sign it,pass it on to someone else who could do the same. Each leaving a new "chapter" on the blog as to how it touches us, or how we can relate our own life to the author.
Thanks for sharing!
In Christ, Bro Jer
Bridget, Stonefox, Melissa, hip chick, Angela, Berta, Lionel, and Mary...
Bless you all for visiting. Will post the winner tomorrow, Feb. 13.
Connie, Thank you so much for your gracious comment...as always!
Jerry, What an awesome idea! Thanks for stopping by! I think I'll pass your idea along to Mary. Bless you!
Jerry, really cool idea!
All: thanks for your kind comments!
Lynn: thanks for hosting!
I'm reading Thin Places now and just finished the chapter called "Raggedy." Beautiful writing.
Dearest Lynn, Sometimes we have to read about pain in someones life that was also in our own to realize we are Loved. God has a plan for each of us and often pain and trauma hone us into fierce fighters for an important reason. Thank You for this amazing book review.
Love You,
Lee
Many say my son looks like George Clooney too.
I am anxious to read her book. From her interview, I learned that our life stories parallel in many ways. I would love to see how she found closure and healing for the tough stuff. It's fun having her as my FB friend! And love to you my good friend Lynn!
Mary DeMuth is an extremely talented writer who not only paints pictures with words but leaves you continually captivated with each turn of the page.
While many of us have thin places of our own, I believe Mary's willingness to be so transparent will lend healing to hurting hearts.
I can't wait to read it myself.
Thanks so much, Donna, for dropping by. I hope I can read some of the book before I send it out to the winner. But I'll probably have to get one of my own! Blessings to you!
Lee, I'm always honored to have you visit. Blessings to you, dear one!
Hey, Bill! Thank you for stopping by and commenting! So nice to have you as a visitor! Blessings to you!
Hey, Stephanie! I'm so glad to see you here. Thanks so much for your kind comment. Be blessed!
this book is going to bless so many people. I am so thankful Mary was able to write it.