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All Alone?

Solitaire's the only game in town

ALL ALONE?
By Jill Worth & Christine Tufnell
Spring Harvest. 138 pages
ISBN 1 85078 439 6

All Alone? is an easy read which discusses many of the major issues with which single parents struggle - emotions, forgiveness, the grieving process, finances, sexuality, loneliness, helping the children, and good advice about remarriage. It principally addresses parents who are widowed or divorced, but rarely mentions unwed mothers - a serious omission.

The back cover says it is from a Christian perspective, but the book nowhere claims this. Rarely is God mentioned. Nowhere is the Bible referenced for backup for the authors' opinions. Not being clear on whether the authors are seeking to help Christians or non-Christians makes it difficult to access.

Lacking is a discussion of the Christian's need to understand God's good providence so they trust him more in their suffering; that he is the source of Life, not themselves nor their hard work; and mentioning Scripture that can comfort and guide them. For the Christians, what God says about divorce in Matthew 19 and 1 Corinthians 7 should also have been included.

Lacking for the non-Christian single parent is reading that Jesus being Saviour and Lord is their most important relationship and the only proper foundation for their healing.

Loss of faith, a common problem, is briefly discussed, but in a very shallow way and it not addressed biblically. For example, the reality of personal sin and the sin of others, God's loving sovereignty in all things, the need to trust him, and his purposes for our tough times are not tackled.

The advice is too often very self-centred and leaves out God's priorities. For example, single parents are encouraged to turn to the government for financial help. Glossed over is the responsibility of the Body of Christ to help these parents financially and in practical ways. A church attender having the need for a trusted friend is a common problem, and is especially true for someone who is divorced, separated or an unwed mother. This issue is not brought up.

In summary, there would be only a few mature Christians to whom I'd recommend this book.

Merrily Richie, DivorceCare