The Unmerciful Thief by Mary Causey is a powerful story as Mary chronicles the story of her son’s battle with addiction. This book views addiction through the eyes of a loving parent. Mary shares the heartache of a parent who seeks to help her child as he battles his addiction.

She shares the lessons she’s learned in how to best help without being an enabler. The book is filled with many heartfelt poems that Mary has written. Mary gives wise parental advice that she has learned in the crucible of adversity, “I would like to encourage you to love your children every day. Love them in the way God loves us, unconditionally. From the time they are born until they walk out your door to start their own homes, love them by investing in their lives. Find out what they enjoy, and be a part of that. Do not let them seek out friends to fill the void that a parent should fill” (p. 71).

If you know someone who has a family member struggling with an addiction, you may find comfort in Mary’s book. When the sorrow seems to be more than one can take, Mary points the reader to God. She has also included a Prayer Journal for addicted loved ones. May this book bring encouragement to those who have loved ones caught in the snare of an addiction.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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