Mending the Heart [Paperback]

John Claypool (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 1999

In three meditations John Claypool speaks eloquently of the wounds all of us carry through life—the wounds of grievance, guilt, and grief—and how they can be healed. The wound of grievance comes from our suffering at the hands of others, we are pierced by guilt when we inflict pain in return, and we suffer grief when we are hurt by loss. By anecdote and personal example, Claypool helps us see that all these wounds can eventually be healed through the gifts of insight, forgiveness, and gratitude. With the help of scripture and Claypool’s own pastoral wisdom, Mending the Heart is a powerful tool for reflection. Each meditation begins with verses from the psalms and ends with a prayer. This book is a wise resource for pastors and caregivers, especially in times of crisis and bereavement, but its simplicity and insight also make it a good guide to prayer and discernment as well as a fine gift book. Mending the Heart is the fourth in our series of Cloister Books: smaller format, gift edition books designed for meditative and devotional reading.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

JOHN CLAYPOOL served as rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Widely known as a speaker, preacher, and pastor, he authored numerous books, including Mending the Heart.

JOHN CLAYPOOL served as rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Widely known as a speaker, preacher, and pastor, he authored numerous books, including Mending the Heart.

Product Details

• Paperback: 68 pages
• Publisher: Cowley Publications (January 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561011657
• ISBN-13: 978-1561011650
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt indeed, July 25, 2003

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mending the Heart (Paperback)

'Mending the Heart' is a gem of a book that really touches the soul. Written by Fr. John Claypool, an Episcopal priest, this book has insight and inspiration about how to deal with some of the crucial hurts in life.

The book is very short, but do not let its brevity deceive. In a mere 68 pages of text, Claypool looks at the wounds of Grievance, Guilt, and Grief. These are primarily interpersonal situations - what happens when someone hurts us? When we hurt someone else? When we lose someone?

'Grievance, guilt, and grief are all part of our human journey from womb to tomb,' Claypool asserts, and as such assume a central importance in our lives. Combining personal stories, parishioner tales, stories from colleagues and other ministers (Frederick Buechner is one of his favourites), as well as a grounding in the liturgical/Book of Common Prayer tradition, Claypool navigates some of the various emotional responses an individual is likely to have due to such situations.

In each instance, Claypool invites us to examine our past realistically, while maintaining a perspective on the present and hope for the future. Claypool does not offer easy fixes or quick remedies, but realistically approaches the fact that some things cannot be repaired or put back the way it was.

With respect to the section on Grief, I have used this many times as chaplain at a retirement centre. Looking at life as a gift rather than a possession, we can gain a perspective in which to give greater thanks for what we have had, and despite the fact that grief is a very real and sometimes dangerous condition, there are periods of inspiration in which God can enter and lead out of the wilderness.

Published by the Cowley Press, this book bears the imprint of Cloister Books, so called as they fit the sense of meditation and slow journey that a monastic cloister can conjure. Despite the relatively few pages, this text nonetheless can take a long time to read, mark and inwardly digest, and is a little book that calls me again and again.

It is a true blessing to read.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for dealing with grief issues, February 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mending the Heart (Paperback)

I got this book because a friend recommended it as a gift for another friend who lost a child recently. After reading the book, I wanted it for just about everybody I know and I'd like a copy to keep for myself. John Claypool has such a wonderful spiritual insight!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic on grief, guilt and forgiveness!, January 29, 2003

By 

Fred W Hood "barbara377" (Fayetteville, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mending the Heart (Paperback)

If there is anyone who is more qualified or more compassionate to write about forgiveness after two chapters on Grievance and Guilt, then I hope to find that person! John starts with his friend Frederick Buechner in the utter despair of living with his Father's suicide. In one of his more recent sermons in Athens, GA. he refers to despair as the ultimate sickness of the soul. This can only be spoken as truth by one who has been in despair! I have heard John tell of his personal despair in the passing of his beloved young daughter, Laura Lue in traumatic years of 1968-1970.

That is his final story in this little jewel of stories. Three others stand out for me...the story of Sam Keen and his Father, his childhood puppy, Jiggs, his friend telling about Charlie's passing. When John repeats these stories in sermons or teaching classes it is like reliving the emotions of those experiences! As he often says it is not simply the experience... "it is the reflecting upon the experience!"

This intimately personal collection of stories makes for an incredible gift to someone in grief or despair! Positively his best yet...from an old friend: Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood