Susan May Warren has demonstrated the profound by using the simple in her book Finding Stefanie, showing how God brings beauty out of brokenness and healing out of pain. This is shown in all of the characters, but especially in Stefanie Noble, who deals with the family ranch, a desperate boy and his two sisters, and a movie star who has enough problems of his own. The result is characters who are not just names and facts in a story, but real people with real lives that keep you turning page after page wondering how things will turn out for them in the end. Through Warrens insightful, attention-grabbing, and sometimes witty writing, a connection is formed with the people who live in a small town in Montana.
As I read Finding Stefanie, I found myself being taken back and forth from character to character, little by little, until the separate stories become one and they all have a common tie. I saw Stefanie struggling to stay strong, Gideon do all he can to keep his family safe, and Lincoln come to terms with the curve ball life has thrown at him. Then I found out whos been posing a threat to them, and everything came down to that one moment when a surprising but satisfying ending presents itself.
Much about the book can be found in the title, for much discovery of Stefanie happens as the story progresses. Not only does Stefanie find herself, but the other characters find themselves as well. All of their separate lives intersect with Stefanie at the center, and the result is an example of how God uses His people for His glory. One verse that comes to mind is Ephesians 2:10, which says, For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (NIV). God has ordained the good we are to do in this world, and our lives are a preparation for when the time comes for that good to be done. Warren demonstrates in her book how God takes brokenness, pain, and hurt in the lives of people and uses it all for good works planned in advance. He knows the ending of every story, and He is the one we can trust when everything seems to be going wrong.
Finding Stefanie is a book that I will look forward to reading again in the future. Susan May Warren has a gift of words and uses that gift for Gods glory, creating a story that most people will want to read, be they man, woman, or teenage girl. This is a book that every church library should have on its shelves, and a book that should also be placed where it will reach the non-Christian as well. It is a testament to Warrens faith, as well as a welcome representation of what it means to have faith in God, no matter what your circumstances are. - Karyn Roe, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com
