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“Pieces of String Too Small to Save” – the personal stories of
giving and receiving that unfold and immerse Jane Knuth in her long-time
volunteer role with the St. Vincent De Paul thrift store in Kalamazoo,
Michigan. The small, concrete block
building nestled among abandoned houses and a troubled neighborhood welcomes
volunteers as students, customers as teachers and God’s gentle hand in
providing unforgettable life lessons retold and shared in Jane Knuth’s Thrift Store Graces: Finding God’s Gifts in
the Midst of the Mess.”
Seventeen years of volunteering introduces Jane Knuth to a
vibrant clientele, each bringing God’s much needed graces into the small shop
and beyond. From listening to client
stories and desperately trying to see the truth therein, “People need to be
believed,” to hardening her heart against implied threats and the theft of her
wallet, Knuth depicts the trials and triumphs with light-hearted humor and a
good dose of faith as she struggles to act out of love despite confusion and
frustration. A semi-voluntary pilgrimage
to Medjugorje, Bosnia offers greater challenges, and arguably opportunities, as
Knuth endures “morose, trudging prayers” throughout a two hour muddy mountain
climb only to be rewarded with “tomfoolery.”
A sequel to Knuth’s Thrift
Store Saints, Thrift Store Graces
is a patchwork for Knuth’s touching experiences in both her small Michigan town
and her pilgrimage to war zone Bosnia. A
leisurely read with compassionate characters and unexpected humor, Thrift Store Graces reminds readers to
listen, “All I [Knuth] know for sure is if I try to act out of love for the
person, if I attempt to listen and have sympathy for their situation, then it
usually works out for the best.”
Another timeless, unhurried and uplifting tale of Knuth’s
life lessons given and received from unexpected sources in unforeseen settings,
Thrift Store Graces pulls the reader
into the gift of a “jumble of community.”
From your review I have to add to my list of books to read. I don't usually read this types of books, but this looks like it
ReplyDeletewould be an interesting read during a summer vacation.
It's a funny, quick read. I've also purchased this as a gift. It's a fun book, with heart-warming stories. Thank you.
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