Into the Fire

In Thin Places Mary E. DeMuth has bared her soul and sacrificed herself on the altar of confession. The horrendously ugly events which soiled the young life of this lovely and achingly honest woman lay raw and bleeding on the pages of Thin Places. I’ve read three of Mary’s novels, all well-scripted in her unique voice and style, but for me this memoir is her very best book.

Some will undoubtedly ask why Mary agreed to tell her story, cringing and shuddering at the revelations of her life, but others will sink uncomfortably into the knowing of such sadness and the terrorization of a little soul and thank God for Mary’s courage. Those readers will learn they are truly not alone in the struggle to find an end to the memories which can’t be fully extinguished no matter how hard they try in so many different ways to achieve “normal”.

Rarely are people this honest in even their closest relationships, fearful to admit the most common of shortcomings borne out of selfish ways or acquired bad habits. Mary cuts to the very core of her being and gives the reader a real look at the sources of her fears and what she considers her worst weaknesses and unlovable traits. Her truthfulness is just one of the attributes which makes her so lovable and so genuine.

Gracing the cover of this memoir is a picture of Mary herself which only serves to accentuate the injustice of her horrible abuse. The title comes from a beautiful and appropriate Celtic reference and is explained in the third paragraph of the book with examples of those “thin places” used throughout to demonstrate Mary’s keen insights and willing perceptions of God’s purpose and residence in her life.

I know Mary received one insulting review of this memoir, and I can only say to the person who wrote it: Shame on you. My guess is that person experienced something terrible in his/her own life and figures he’s overcome it. No one overcomes this kind of thing in this life. It remains like the hint of a ghost across the room only visible to the one who feels its presence. Yes, Jesus heals and delivers, but scars remain to remind. Most people push these things down so deep they suffer physical illness throughout their lives. Mary exposes every symptom, every malady, physical, spiritual, and emotional, that she’s suffered as a result of the pain she knew at a very young age. To criticize her journey or how she’s chosen to express her experiences is at the very least cruel.

Thin Places is a very well written, truthful account of one woman’s efforts to reach Jesus in her pain, to accept the love of God in spite of the fear and doubt, and to forge her way through her scar tissue by “turning trials to triumphs”.

Highly recommend this memoir for a variety of readers.

Father, soak Mary in the waters of your Spirit, the cleansing of your love. Continue to hold her close and maneuver her to those thin places that you provide to give us glimpses of divine purpose and comfort. This woman is invaluable to you—please remind her of that daily so she can experience more triumph than trials in the next portion of her life. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.