A Family for Luke by Carolyne Aarsen

Michelle: Being a single mother, I long to give my son a father. I pray for it everyday, and this book gave me hope...

The story of Janie was touching. She'd been a rebellious teenager and it got her into some trouble. And now she didn't want help from anyone. Her teenage daughter was so like her. The independence Janie held onto was affecting her daughter, Suzie. There is one place in the book that I especially liked. When Luke stepped in and offered a punishment when he realized her mother wasn't going to do it. He laid it all on the line. Janie's unhealthy guilt had caused some of Janie's problems, and from things Luke said later in the book I've a feeling that Luke worked hard at correcting those mistakes by using a firm hand on the teenage girl.

Being a single parent is hard. Personally, I feel bad that my son doesn't have a father, and I may be a little more laxed than I should be at times. It's hard trying to be both a mother and a father. I can totally see why Janie wanted to take her daughter in her arms and just be thankful that she's okay - that's called nurturing. But I also see why Luke did what he did - someone had to be the disciplinary in this situation; and though it wasn't really Luke's place I think he was right in stepping in.

I must admit that Janie did tend to get on my nerves. I think it was mean her trying to pay Luke for replacing the flowers when it was his responsibility to do so. I think it was mentioned in this book, and an old church member used to say it all the time: Don't take away the blessing.