Books for Christian Girls: "Safe All Along" by Katie Davis Majors

About this book:

  “As a missionary, wife, and mom of fifteen, Katie Davis Majors knows how hard it can be to receive God’s peace instead of giving in to fear and worry. Family emergencies, unexpected life-shifting events, and the busy rhythms of family life have at times left her reeling.
   In Safe All Along, Katie offers reflections and stories from around the world and from her own kitchen table about her personal journey toward living from a place of surrendered trust. Every chapter leads us deep into Scripture as we learn what it looks like to break free from anxiety and take hold of peace.
   Rich in biblical explorations of lament and praise, forgiveness and hope, service and surrender, Safe All Along asks, What practical choices can we make to experience the peace Jesus promised amid disappointment and uncertainty? How can we live with joy and confidence even when we’re pulled into the rapids of life?
   Our God has promised us a peace that transcends all understanding. And we can accept His promise, trusting that in Him we are safe all along.”

Series: A non-fiction book.

Spiritual Content- Each chapter starts with a Scripture and has many Scriptures referenced, quoted, and/or discussed within the chapter; About half of the nineteen chapters end with prayers; All about God, Jesus, trusting Him, knowing Him, making time for Him, being honest with God, anxiety, peace, & laments; 'H's are capital when referring to God (unless the Bible version quoted does not); All about many mentions of those & events in the Bible, books of the Bible, Bible reading, & Bible studies; Mentions of prayers, praying, praising, & worshiping; Mentions of Heaven; Mentions of churches, church going, pastors, & church events; Mentions of hymns & worship songs; Mentions of missionaries, missions, ministries, & service; Mentions of blessings, being Blessed, & miracles; Mentions of sins; A couple mentions of youth groups & Sunday school classes;
             *Note: Mentions of the enemy’s lies; Mentions of idols (anything that turns our eyes from Jesus) & fake god statues; Mentions of Christian pastors & speakers (Curt Thompson, J. I. Packer, John Piper, Robert Murray M’Cheyne, Jim Elliot, & C. S. Lewis); A handful of mentions of contemporary Christian authors (Tara Leigh Cobble, Morgan Harper Nichols, Ann Voskamp, & Dr. Bryan Loritts).

Negative Content- Recalling almost drowning & the fear of it (from the author’s perspective, including it almost happening to her daughter as well, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of deaths of loved ones & grief; Mentions of crimes, violence, cattle raiders, being shot and killed by them, gunshots, & stolen cows and items; Mentions of arrests, beatings, torture, being stoned to death, jail, slavery, & slaves (in the Bible); Mentions of threats (in the Bible); Mentions of homelessness; Mentions of lies; A few mentions of injuries & pain; A few mentions of addiction; A couple mentions of abusive or toxic relationships; A couple mentions of animal sacrifice (in the Bible); A couple mentions of wine (one being a mention from the Bible); A mention of the possibility of finding a loved one’s body; A mention of war; A mention of bomb shelters; A mention of racism; A mention of jealousy; A mention of eye rolling;
             *Note: Mentions of anxiety, depression, other mental illnesses, seeing a therapist, & taking medication (the author shares “I also want to acknowledge that you may be dealing with a clinical anxiety disorder, depression, or some other real, chemical mental illness. This is not the same thing as worry. There is a difference between situational anxiety or nervousness about the future and a true chemical disorder.” And “If you are struggling in a similar way, I am so sorry. I see you. This is not your fault, and it does not make you less faithful. There is no shame in seeking the help you need through therapy or medication or both. As I venture to share some things God has used to help me with my own battle with anxiety, I would never want to suggest that simply thinking differently or forming new habits will be a “fix-all.” He sends “fishermen” to help us on our journey, and therapists have often been mine.”); Mentions of social media & technology (iPhones, FaceTime, Siri, Google Maps, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Airbnb, & Netflix); A few mentions of stories (Kroger, Target, & Tractor Supply); A few mentions of brand names (Lego); A couple mentions of Helen Keller.

Sexual Content- A couple mentions of affairs and marriage struggles; A mention of pornography;
             *Note: A couple mentions of miscarriages & infertility; A couple mentions of nursing.

-Katie Davis Majors
                                Non-Fiction
                                                        272 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

Non-fiction books have always been hard for me to review—especially with ones like “Safe All Along” which hit so many cords in myself as I read it. There were so many parts I related to and honestly can’t put into words how I felt. Hence why non-fiction books are hard to review. I’d love to leave it just as “It was great. Related to about 80% of what the author was saying. Easy 4 stars.” But I suppose I ought to write a little bit more than that.

I think my only real negative is that when most of the Scriptures are mentioned or quoted, the actual reference is marked as a footnote and they are all listed in the very back of the book. I would have preferred to have them right then and there within the actual Scripture and what Katie was sharing, personally.

I’m touched by this book and heartened in a lot of ways, thanks to the author sharing her personal thoughts and struggles—but yet always pointing back to Christ and your relationship with Him. I love that and really enjoyed this book.

See y’all on Friday with a new review!