Zondervan, 2014, 272 pp., $15.47
Having grown up in a county where the production and use of crystal meth had ascended to first place in the state, I was captivated from the first page as I read Barbara Stoefen’s first-person account of her daughter’s addiction. The plague of crystal meth, which is now one of the worst epidemics among American youth, may touch youth ministry in a variety of ways. Barbara Stoefen’s book is one resource that would be helpful to youth leaders and parents for its frankness and solutions.
A Very Fine House provides the type of information and practical advice that many parents and ministries would be seeking when trying to help a young person who’s addicted to meth. Stoefen takes us on a journey through Al-Anon, to heartfelt discussions with her daughter, Annie, and eventually to those places where faith intersects with life’s tragedies and triumphs. This is a book filled with as much gratitude as pain, making it a balanced and honest book on all counts.
Stoefen’s account of her daughter’s addiction is a juggernaut of information for the struggling parent. Lists, bullet points and Scripture references make this a book that is accessible to those with questions and offers steps toward solutions. The postscript of this book contains a solid theological footing from which parents can begin to make sense of addiction.
As Stoefen wrote: “Addicts aren’t unique to having the feeling of ‘I’m not good enough.’ It’s a hallmark of the middle school and high school years, and I remember feeling it too.”
Indeed, this is a grace-filled book—and anyone who is struggling with an addicted child, has an addiction ministry, or simply needs to have this resource available for those who do, will discover ample help from this book.
