Kristen Strong

The author's tone is too casual for my personal taste. The book is very repetitive. The message is, in a nutshell: You belong somewhere; trust God to bring you there.

There's not much in the way of practical help; "trust God" and "keep reaching out to others" is about the gist of it.

There are several other minor things I don't love:

- The author frequently utilizes The Message paraphrase of the Bible, instead of the actual Bible.

- She cites a 'secular' study (I don't know why she needed to clarify that it was secular, as it wasn't a study about religion.)

- She uses the word 'toxic' when referring to a friendship.

- She uses the incorrect word 'helpmate' at one point. (The actual word in the Bible is 'helpmeet.')

- She states that we (Christians) read the Bible because it makes Satan back off, as if this were a good thing. But the Bible is really how we get to know God better! Yes, God is able to use it as a weapon against the enemy, but surely that shouldn't be our driving motivation to read God's Word...

There's certainly some good in the book, as well; judging by the Goodreads reviews, it encouraged a lot of people. I was encouraged at several points throughout, too, but overall, it just wasn't for me.… (meer)

If you have ever felt like you are not fitting in or are continually standing outside the circle this book is for you. Kristen Strong shares scripture and many of her own personal experiences to show us how she worked through finding her place. She is the wife of a retired Air Force officer and has moved many times in her life. Each place brought a new challenge for her and she shares a great deal of wisdom from lessons learned.

I loved the format with each chapter. Kristen shares in three basic sections... wandering with purpose, finding places and people to belong to, and inviting others into your circle on the journey. She shares chapters 19 chapters with personal experiences and practical advice. She ends each chapter with a small vignette from someone else on the journey either from scripture or from modern day women she knows and then closes out each chapter with a Belonging Blessing for you to meditate on.

She includes some excellent resources that have helped her along the way in the back of the book.

There was really only one thing that I did not absolutely love about the book that I think is worth mentioning. She, like so many writers in this genre, chose to use the Message as her scripture source. I mention it because I know others feel this is something that would bother them, too. As I read I just looked the scriptures up in a more trusted source like the NASB or the HCSB. Her ideas are biblically sound and they do glorify God. I am just not a fan of this trend.

Overall, It is a beautiful book and I feel that Kristen Strong has a lot of wisdom on this particular topic. She has lived everything she shares with us and is a great one to come alongside those of us in the trenches of finding where we belong in this world.… (meer)

Sweet, personal, and honest.

I saw the cover of this book first (yes, I've always got my eye toward design) and I just loved what it represented. The seasons, change, new life. All of it! Then I got around to reading the title and thought this was something I should read.

Right off the bat I connected with what Kristen was saying--how she pinpointed what I'm sure a lot of women feel. Change is hard. You may be one of those women who loves change (as I'd say I do in some cases) but Kirsten pointed out that change for change's sake isn't really good change. It's all in how we view and meet the change that matters.

From a devotional standpoint I did enjoy the book, though it took me much too long to finish it. I think this was somewhat due to busyness, other reading/work I had, and some what do to lack of extreme connection. For me, a devotional book really needs to speak to a need that I have. While I feel like there is a lot of change in my life now and coming in the future, I didn't feel as gripped (if I can use that word) to Girl Meets Change. Not for lack of wanting though.

I found Kirsten's writing to be strong and to the point--both things I love! And I think she did a good job of seeking out stories to add here and there along with her own personal anecdotes. I did enjoy that she used examples of Biblical characters, but I found that they were "typical" characters. Esther, Jacob, Abraham...Now there is nothing wrong with these examples, and for those who haven't grown up in the church or don't know the Bible well, these may have pointed out "light bulb" ideas, but I found that I wasn't challenged to see their stories in a new light.

To me, there wasn't a moment of awakening where I realized something new about myself - which is often why I read devotional books (aside from my own Bible reading, of course). Don't get me wrong, I did my fair share of highlighting and Kristen had some amazing gems that I took to heart. But I just didn't connect in a "wow, this book changed me" type of way (ironically). And that's okay. Not all books will.

I would still be confident in recommending this to women who know they have a difficult time with change or those who are facing an upcoming change that could be difficult, scary, exciting, or crazy-new. Kirsten's attention to scripture and her constant encouragement will mean a lot.

Originally posted on my blog:
http://eahendryx.blogspot.com/2016/02/girl-meets-change-by-kristen-strong.html
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I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.… (meer)

Girl Meets Change: Truths to Carry You through Life's Transitions by Kristen Strong relays the message that change is a constant in all of our lives but how we choose to meet change can make all the difference in how we get through it.

Ms. Strong's writing style is warm and cozy. It embraces the reader and makes you feel as if you are at the kitchen table with her talking over coffee. She offers hope and help to those who are tired of going through change kicking and fighting it every inch of the way. (Um ... yep, that's me!)

Her stories, faith and helpful insight gently guide the reader to understanding that it's all about consciously choosing how face change, a willing heart and faith in God. With those tools in hand, transition through life's changes can be navigated and at times, even a blessing!

She reminds us that God is always with us and often times, the change we experience is His way of bringing us closer to Him.

I found Girl Meets Change to be a helpful and inspirational book with solid advise that I can incorporate as I learn to face life's changes with a more positive attitude. If you are weary and facing the process of change and all the chaos it can bring, take some time to read this book. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

A big thank you to Revell Reads for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)