A Crazy, Holy Grace: The Healing Power of Pain and Memory

(Paperback)

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When pain is real, why is God silent

Frederick Buechner has grappled with the nature of pain, grief, and grace ever since his father committed suicide when Buechner was a young boy. He continued that search as a father when his daughter struggled with anorexia. In this essential collection of essays, including one never before published, Frederick Buechner finds that the God who might seem so silent is ever near. He writes about what it means to be a steward of our pain, and about this grace from God that seems arbitrary and yet draws us to his holiness and care. Finally he writes about the magic of memory and how it can close up the old wounds with the memories of past goodnesses and graces from God.

Here now are the best of Buechners writings on pain and loss, covering such topics as the power of hidden secrets, loss of a dearly beloved, letting go, resurrection from the ruins, peace, and listening for the quiet voice of God. And he reveals that pain and sorrow can be a treasurean amazing grace.

Buechner says that loss will come to all of us, but he writes that we are not alone. Crazy and unreal as it may sometimes seem, Gods holy, healing grace is always present and available if we are still enough to receive it.

Reviews

Frederick Buechner brings the reader to his knees, sometimes in laughter, sometimes in an astonishment very close to prayer, and at the best of times in a combination of both. * - The New York Times Book Review *
Frederick Buechner has inspired me not only with his writing, but with his generosity of spirit. Im incredibly thankful. * Rachel Held Evans *
Frederick Buechner is a beacon. When we cant remember what is true and what it all means, hes the person we turn to. * Anne Lamott *
He isnt trying to persuade hes trying to understand what he himself believes and thinks. And that honesty is more persuasive than the most polished argument. * John Ortberg *
Frederick Buechner doesnt just show us how to write; he shows us how to live. * Philip Yancey *
Frederick Buechner is not just a wordsmith but an image-smith hes the bridge between Gutenberg and Google. * Len Sweet *
To each new generation, his work is a revelation. * - The Lutheran *
Frederick Buechner gives new life to Christian truth. * Katelyn Beaty *
With profound intelligence, Buechners novel does what the finest, most appealing literature does: it displays and illuminates the seemingly unrelated mysteries of human character and ultimate ideas... One of our finest writers. * - Annie Dillard, Boston Globe *
If Frederick Buechner subordinated his nature and chose to write on naughts and nothings, he would still exalt his readers. When he is in representative harmony and writes of the accessibility of God to humanity and of humanitys agreement with its potential divinity, we, the readers, are lifted up, buoyed up, and promised wholeness. * - Maya Angelou *
You dont have to be in the habit of going to church to listen to such a literary minister; you dont have to be a believer to be moved by Mr. Buechners faith. * - John Irving *
He raises the bar not only for Christian writers, but for all of literature. * Mako Fujimura *

Author Bio

An ordained Presbyterian minister who has been hailed by the Boston Globe as "one of our finest writers," Frederick Buechner is the author of 30 works of fiction and nonfiction. His work has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize (Godric) and the National Book Award (Lion Country) and he has been honored by the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. He divides his time between Vermont and Florida.