Stained Glass Hearts: Seeing Life from a Broken Perspective

by Patsy Clairmont

Stained Glass Hearts reminds us just how brightly the light of God can shine even amidst our darkest moments, uncovering the promise and possibility of redemption and transformation.

Comparing people to stained glass windows, Patsy Clairmont explains the power of God to restore and redeem that which seems devastated beyond repair, and she does so with the quick wit and deep insight of someone who has been there. And back. Themes of art and creativity are woven together with stories from Patsy’s own life. And special features include quotes, suggested scripture readings, sample prayers, and recommended music.

With candor tempered by wind-whipped wisdom, Patsy provides a new lens through which to view our lives. Stained Glass Hearts is a perspective that gives us the chance to see our potential for color, sparkle, and great purpose through the grace of God.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living

208 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2011

About the author

Patsy is a bookish woman who loves words and has a penchant for dark chocolate sorbet. Since spelling bees in grade school, childhood Scrabble games, right up to her current addiction with Words with Friends she has been known to spell it out, to say it like it is.

Much to her surprise Patsy has written a stack of books that continues to light her passion for the printed page. And nothing pleases her more than to share her faith through laughter and tears and to encourage others to flourish.

A former agoraphobic Patsy never imagined the expansive plans God had in mind for her. She just wanted to make it to her neighborhood grocery store and safely home again. Instead, for the past 35 years she has been traipsing throughout the U.S. and Canada, interspersed with trips to Israel and Africa and she has even spoken at the Pentagon for the Flag Officers Bible Study. Patsy has spoken to millions of women (and men) offering spiritual and emotional hope.

Patsy has written books in several genres including devotional, fiction, children’s, and gift offerings. She is one of the founding speakers at Women of Faith and trains people for the platform.

Patsy is the author of over 35 books best-selling books and currently lives in Franklin TN.

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A number of years ago while browsing in a book store, (one of my most favourite activities), I noticed a book: “God Uses Cracked Pots”. As I stopped and picked up the book, (who could resist that title?), I noticed the author’s name was Patsy Clairmont, at the time not an author with whom I was familiar. I would come to realize it was my lack of knowledge that was at issue, not the popularity of the author! However, that day, I was more caught on the title, than on the author. I flipped through it, checked out the cover, and decided it was not for me – as it turns out, not my best decision! I am now on the lookout for this book.


The author’s website, (www.patsyclairmont.com), shows that the book “God Uses Cracked Pots” has been re-released, and I think I know at least one customer! My memory does not give me a synopsis of the book, but the title is drawing me in!!

With all that said, this review is not about Patsy Clairmont’s book “God Uses Cracked Pots”; it is about her book “Stained Glass Hearts”. I received “Stained Glass Hearts” at no charge through the Booksneeze Book Review Program, which means I will be also posting this review on their website.

“Stained Glass Hearts” is what I would call, a pretty title; and the book cover is very pretty, in colour and in design. I would come to find out that this book is so much more than pretty. With a book subtitle of “Seeing Life from a Broken Perspective”, I quickly learned that, all prettiness set aside, this book would have meaningful words to share. Patsy Clairmont would have meaningful words to share. And Patsy did.

At the end of each chapter, Patsy has what she calls ‘The Art Gallery’. ‘The Art Gallery’ consists of a variety of interactive and reflective topics for the reader. For example, at the end of Chapter 3, ‘The Art Gallery’ consists of a Museum reference for lookup on the internet, a Poem, a Prayer, and a Music suggestion that can be found on iTunes. These elements link together, and combine with the Chapter topic itself, bringing the reader to a personal place on the road to light and redemption. The place of light and redemption – on which Patsy has a personal focus, and on which she has written previous books. Patsy’s ‘Art Gallery’ was excellent. I know because I found myself pulled toward the interaction – and did follow-up that pull!

The chapters in “Stained Glass Hearts” focus on directing the readers to find out what is true about themselves, where the darkness is, where the light is, and how all that must come together to be where God is, and where He wants the readers to be. While that sounds rather serious and somber, Patsy has a gift for making her reader feel good along the way. As a new reader of Patsy’s work, I found her tone to be serious, yet light. Early on in the book, Patsy herself states that this book exposes the solemn side of her personality. I’m not sure that I would describe what I saw of Patsy as solemn, but maybe that is because I am a new fan.

As you might expect from the title, “Stained Glass Hearts”, the emotions of the human heart are explored in the chapters. Ranging from darkness to light – just like a stained glass window, (to paraphrase Patsy). Patsy lets us into her own heart, her own time of deep darkness, and her journey out of that darkness. I always think authors are so brave when such personal emotion is exposed in such a public forum as a book. And Patsy is one such author.

Patsy brings us into her family life, time with her friends, and times when she goes to work, speaking at conferences around the world, mainly focused on events sponsored by Women of Faith, an organization Patsy has been a member of since its very beginnings. (Information can be found at: www.womenoffaith.com).

Patsy Clairmont’s generous sense of humour is spread throughout this book. Patsy reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously, but to also honour and accept who we are, and where we are, on our journey of life.

As the book progresses we, the readers, are given many opportunities to share stained glass experiences with the author – looking through something, or at something, as though we were looking at or through stained glass.

I am not a big ‘nature girl’, (that is probably an understatement), yet one of the chapters that most vividly caught my attention was Patsy’s chapter titled: ‘Stained Glass Nature’. I learned, or re-learned, a number of things from Patsy’s viewpoint of ‘Stained Glass Nature’. One of the biggest is my tendency to overlook the beauty of nature. I learned that one of the reasons I overlook nature’s beauty is that I do not take enough time to stop and pay attention to the beauty around me.

This, in my personal belief system, means I am not stopping and paying enough attention to God. It also means I am not really participating in the world around me; rather I am just moving through it with some unknown agenda of my own.

For me, that has been one of the clearest themes in this Patsy Clairmont book: stop and look around ourselves, through or with a stained glass window, at all the broken pieces, at all the little pieces, at all that is us, and at all that is given to us in this world.

Stop and appreciate, stop and renew, stop and see the moment.


For a person new to the world of Christian non-fiction, I think this book would be an excellent beginning. Free of deep theological words and intense phrases, this book will appeal to individuals at the early stages oftheir faith journey. For the same reasons, this is also a book I would recommend to someone well along in their faith journey, but someone wishing to take stock of where they have been and where they have now come. Not only did I find “Stained Glass Hearts” to be a good Christian writing, it was also a pleasure to read, and to review.

[Elizabeth M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book in 2011. I had intended to return to it often, but as life does, life got in the way. I recently found it again after unpacking at our retirement home. So much has changed in my life in 11 years and this book once again spoke to me. I enjoy Ms. Clairmont's casual way of writing, as if I am sitting across from the table with her, and her inspiration at the end of each chapter for the arts. This time I will return to this book often as it is now on my nightstand.

[Beth Vogt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed Patsy Clairmont's books and I appreciated the idea of seeing life from a broken perspective. At times, I felt as if I was sitting across from the author having a conversation with her. Then there were times when I felt as if the chapters rambled a bit too much -- and my attention did, too. All in all though, this is a positive, uplifting book, and Patsy Clairmont paints vivid word pictures. I also appreciate the sections at the end of each chapter where she invites you to examine different pieces of artwork or music to deepen the points she's written about in the previous pages.

[Aileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartfelt book by a favorite Women of Faith speaker.

I love her transparency about the broken parts of her life and how God gently guides her to better places of healing and transformation.

At the end of each chapter are references to churches, museums, artwork and music that underscore the beauty in the world fashioned by people's God-given gifts.

It's a slim volume, but I felt renewed, challenged and hopeful.

[Denise Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapters titled based on different methods for spiritual growth. I loved the chapter on books because I can relate to it. She also gave suggestions of art on spiritual things. I liked majority of song recommendations

[Catherine Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love!!!

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny spunky lady. I liked her sense of humor.

[Dana Rongione · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can people be likened to objects? Best-selling author, Patsy Clairmont, seems to think so. Clairmont likens us to stained glass windows, molded together into something beautiful despite the shattered fragments we possess. In fact, the subtitle of Stained Glass Hearts sums it up masterfully: "Seeing Life from a Broken Perspective." We've all experienced brokenness of some kind -- broken hearts, broken dreams, broken families, etc. In her witty style and conversational tone, Clairmont discusses the issues of brokenness and the beauty that can be attained when we allow God to re-create us using those jagged shards.

This was not one of Patsy Clairmont's most humorous books. In fact, because of the seriousness of the topic, there were times I found myself crying rather than laughing. Nevertheless, the book brought a smile to my lips and peace to my heart. Through her heartwarming tales and personal revelations, the author reminded me that I'm not alone in my journey through the Christian life. Her stories of struggle and triumph encouraged me to face my own troubles head on instead of running away in fear.

In addition to her delightful writing, Patsy included an "Art Gallery" at the end of each chapter. Each gallery contained information and links to paintings, sculptures, music and Scripture related to the topic of the chapter. I discovered some new favorites and was reacquainted with some old. Each time I set the book down, I felt renewed and refreshed, and while I would have loved to have read it all in one sitting, I found that reading only one chapter at a time gave me time in between to meditate on what the chapter taught me.

If you've ever experienced brokenness, you'll be able to relate to the stories within this book. It's a must read for every Christian who's ever asked the question, "Am I the only one who feels like this?"

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa... : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patsy Clairmont has always been one of my favorite authors. She has found joy in situations where I was sure thee couldn't possibly be any. In this book she compares people to Stained Glass Windows, expressing the power of God in everyday life. As well as the not so everyday. Her sub title is Seeing life from a boken perspective.

The largest church in Charleston has the most beautiful stained glass windows. Wonderful impressive pictures of Biblical scenes, and people. Looking closer, though, stained glass is broken glass. Magnificently put together and colorful, but pieces of broken glass glued back together.That is pretty much how all of our lives are.

Patsy speaks candidly of people and events, tempering her thought with wisdom and humor. But also to the point, crisp and honest.

The ultimate message is His light and only His light will show us beauty, on the other side of the not so beautiful. We also need to read out, and claim his promises. We miss so much by waiting for Him to bestow them. If we don't ask we don't receive; why are we so afraid to ask?

She speaks about her Grandson, Noah, who is seven. Noah is in the second grade. He asks his mom every night, "How about I don't go to school in the morning?"

It isn't becaue he doesn't, like school she explains, but because it serisously cuts into his play time, it interferes with the time he has to play with his brand new puppy, Sammy. and from his perspective priorites are out of whack.

I get Noah's perspective. It gets to the heart of things.

I have read many of Patsy Clairmonts books, and have yet to meet one I didn't like. It has a deep spiritual message, and encouraging one. As well as the most prevelant one we all forget: God Loves Us.

I recommend this book highly, I suggest you pour cup of tea and a plate of cookies, curl up and be prepared to be carried away. You will expeience, laughter, tears, while pondering some very deep thoughts.

at the lend of the book, you wil want to take your life in a new direction;one of peace and resilience.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patsy Clairmont's, Stained Glass Hearts takes you on a journey of how God uses our brokeness to create a life that reflects stained glass art, becoming something of beauty rather than shattered pieces. Our broken pieces fit together, each complimenting the other to create our own stories. And, like stained glass, when turned in the light a new image is created.

Clairmont uses stories from her own life to illustrate how God restores and redeems. At the end of each chapter she includes internet links to music, museums, art to help visually bring us a new perspective on what we consider to be broken in our lives.

Clairmont is an excellent word-smith. Her descriptions are breath-taking and often I needed to pause, reflect on the imagery she was creating. I also enjoyed the links after each chapter that truly expanded my world, exposing me to art pieces, poetry and prayers I may otherwise have never known.

Somehow, though, Clairmont does not go deep enough. When opening the book my expectations were to be given tools on how to mend brokeness. Instead, full stories that range from her struggle with depression to her husband's singing to how she resolved her fear of flying, I felt like I was reading creative non-fiction which is usually not the intent of a women's faith-based self-help.

I'd recommend this book for those looking for a light read, maybe one you place on your night stand to pick up from time-time when looking to make your world more colourful.


I received this complimentary copy from the publisher through their Book Sneeze Bloggers program. A positive review was not require and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is about how God makes the broken pieces of our lives into something we can use to change us. We are broken people, but we need God's perspective on what He's doing and how He's working in our lives.

Patsy encourages us to focus on gratitude to God for where we are and what He has given us, looking for God in our circumstances, and thinking Biblical thoughts. She shares personal stories of troubling seasons in her life and how God gave her His perspective through them.

Although Patsy is quite a humorous speaker, this book did not use humor as you might expect from her, except for one chapter where she talks about aging. I enjoyed that one the most because that's the Patsy I am familiar with. Beyond the humor, though, Patsy does have a way with words and describing beauty around her. You can tell she loves words and puts them well to use.

As for the spiritual impact of the book, I was left feeling like something was missing. It doesn't delve deeply into spiritual truths as much as I would like, and I probably won't remember much from the book in days to come. It was a bit on the "fluffy" side, in my opinion. I also don't go in for "self-esteem talk", which was mentioned a couple times.

I probably would not recommend this book to a friend, simply because I believe there are better resources available for women who need encouragement in their spiritual growth.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stained Glass Hearts by Patsy Clairmont is a wonderful book for those of us who need a new outlook on life. Trough this book I learned that I need to not dwell on the bad points of my situations but to embrace them and look for the good in them. Sometimes it is difficult to see how God can take the broken pieces of our lives and put them together, like a stained glass master, to create a whole and strikingly beautiful masterpiece. Often we don't understand how our own selfishness impacts others, but throughout this book, she shares how this impacted her family growing up and then later in her own marriage and family. At the end of each chapter is a section called the Art Gallery, where you can find additional questions, places to explore, poems to read, prayers that go along with the chapter themes and music to listen to.
This was my first book by Patsy Clairmont and I am looking forward to reading her other books. I really enjoyed reading this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[Carrie Padgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though Stained Glass Hearts' subtitle is "Seeing Life From a Broken Perspective," I feel it speaks more to the stale and stagnant. Each chapter includes art, music, poetry, and scripture to give the reader a renewed or different perspective of God and His grace. I loved the suggestions and the quotes sprinkled throughout the book. Patsy's stories of brokenness add her unique personality to the pages.

Broken glass can be pieced together to form beautiful pictures and Patsy shows how broken lives can be healed and shaped into something grace-filled and God-glorifying. She talks about the importance of having a new perspective and seeing our brokenness as opportunities for growth. With examples from her own life, Patsy encourages the reader to start small, believe big, and emerge strong.

I will be shelving this book right next to my copy of Madeleine L'Engle's Walking on Water and Luci Shaw's The Crime of Living Cautiously. I turn to these when I need a fresh perspective, a renewed vision, or to kindle my creativity. Patsy Clairmont's Stained Glass Hearts is a worthy companion to those volumes.

I received a free copy of "Stained Glass Hearts" from Thomas Nelson's Book Sneeze program, but it did not influence my review.

[Nikole Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

BookSneeze chose me as one of a handful of bloggers to tweet, Facebook and blog about Women of Faith. To celebrate that moment, I chose Stained Glass Hearts by Patsy Clairmont to review and to use as a book giveaway. Like her excellent speaking, Clairmont didn’t disappoint me. The book matches her personality. It’s quirky, fun and real.

“’Make your bed’ was a divine doorway for me to reenter life.” She says on page 10. Clairmont was agoraphobic, and depressed among other things. She is a popular speaker at Women of Faith conferences now sharing her pain and humor so that other women going through the same things can also ‘make (their) bed.’ I like her outlook. I like her sarcasm and her love of all things art. At the end of every chapter, there are fun exercises to view art, music and poetry through the eyes of one who has been broken.

I first sat with her book in my favorite chair, nursing a cup of tea, while my husband watched baseball, and the first page made me feel as if she, too, sat across from me. We were sharing tea, laughs and tears. I felt as if every page lived up to my expectations of Patsy Clairmont’s speaking.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

People have glass hearts. They shatter. And in STAINED GLASS HEARTS, Patsy Clairmont explains how the power of God can restore and redeem that which seems devastated beyond repair.

STAINED GLASS HEARTS is more solemn and serious than most of the other books by Ms. Clairmont that I’ve read, but there is still some of her trade-mark humor.

The stories are personal, heartbreakingly real, and after the tales are told, Ms. Clairmont uses quotes, scripture readings, sample prayers, and recommended music or youtube videos to listen to or watch.

This book wasn’t quite what I expected. Not that I was disappointed in it. It is full of chances for us broken women to see potential for color, sparkle and purpose through the grace of God.

This is not a book designed for small groups, unless you feel comfortable letting it all hang out—and most of us don’t. STAINED GLASS HEARTS is a book that you will want to read slowly, on your own, and absorb everything that God is using Patsy Clairmont to show you.

[Sunflower · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The puzzling pieces of our lives, like the misshapen glass pieces in a stained glass masterpiece, don't seem to fit until the Creator sands, foils, and solders them into place. Then we see, and what looked hopelessly missing is pieced together in such a way that the picture appears seamless" (pg 137, "Stained Glass Hearts")

A menagerie of personal thoughts and perspective, Patsy Clairmont shares a heart felt book, about how though we maybe imperfect, God can can use us in many ways. Filled with recommendations to paintings, music, scripture, poetry or even videos, at the end of each chapter, reader will find, "Stained Glass Hearts" to be a reminder how God can turned brokenness and darkness into light that lifts and edifys His name.

"Stained Glass Hearts" read like a personal journey and it was heartfelt in that it really exposes Patsy Clairmont's heart to the reader and the open heart words she shares, really lifts the reader up to be encouraged in hard times.

Mixing themes of art and creativity with personal ancedotes, "Stained Glass Hearts" was a very unique read.

[Karie Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Patsy does have a way with words and describing the beauty around her. You can tell she loves words and puts them well to use.

something was missing. It doesn't delve deeply into spiritual truths, it is not what I expected, I expected more from it than I got. It is another version of chicken soup for the womans soul I should say. I believe she had all the right points just somehow got lost in the middle somewhere.

[Lorri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short book, but it took me longer to read because it seemed to go all over the place. The author added humor, which I love in a book, and mentioned events in her life. At the end of each chapter, she lists art and books she enjoys, prayers, and includes scripture. It wasn't bad, but as I mentioned, it seemed to go all over. I know it was meant to encourage, but it left me a little confused at times.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were interesting ideas put forth in this book. I liked how the author gives the reader ideas of works of art that demonstrate the beauty around us. For my full review, see http://eagleswingsbooks.blogspot.com/...

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book of Patsy's that I have read and this is by far my favorite one. So many lessons learned from her in this book. I encourage you to pick up this book and learn these lessons as well :)

[Christy Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspirational book, loved it.

[Stephani Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, uplifting book. Patsy writes just like she speaks. I adore her! I love that at the end of each chapter she shares scripture, artist, poems, etc. It gave me a few things to google!!!

[Jonelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you need a new perspective on life, Patsy Clairmont is the funniest way to get it! She definitely makes lemonade from the many lemons she gets! She is a hoot and I love her humor!

[Karen (Living Unabridged) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of essays. Encouragement, art & music suggestions, and Clairmont's trademark sense of humor.

[Jana Luellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her and this book. Love how she brings in famous art & literature to teach her lessons.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read after a Women of Faith conference. Wisdom. Patsy has so much to share.