A Crazy, Holy Grace is a release of a lecture given some time ago. Its message has never appeared in print before. But it's as timely as this morning's news. The world is rife with human suffering -- written in the news scroll across my television screen, but as real and burning as the person's life whose story makes the lead on that news.
We all have known this loss and the pain associated with it. That pain has its own unique memories. And in this little book Buechner does again what he has done so many times before: He writes with the poignancy of a spiritual friend who can guide us through that grief and into healing.
Even when God seems the most silent, Buechner advises, he is always the nearest. He gives wisdom about "stewarding" our pain, and about the grace of God that is never arbitrary and consistently quiet -- in the way that love is often quiet but resolved.
Letting go and the faith of resurrection are difficult things, to be sure, but I know of no better guide with them than Frederick Buechner. And this book confirms that belief. It's a must-have for every self.
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I received a free copy of this book as part of the Handlebar blogging tour in exchange for my honest review here.