A Promise Is Forever

Christy bowed her head, closed her eyes, and pursed her lips. Perhaps Dr.. Benson thought she was praying. She was really trying hard not to cry. It all hit her so hard and fast. His rapid-fire itinerary seemed overwhelming. Plus this was her worst nightmare, having to make split-second decisions that might affect the rest of her life. She knew the need was great, but what about Belfast?

Book: A Promise is Forever (The Christy Miller Series #12) by Robin Jones Gunn, Focus On The Family Publishing, 1994

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 15-20

Subjects: Dating Relationships, God's Will, Missions, Sacrifice, Friendship

Summary: It’s a neat opportunity for Christy and the others. Christy is hoping, not just to be able to share the Gospel on this missions trip, but to make some decisions about her future. Her parents have been quite clear on the fact that it’s time to start deciding what she wants to do with her life. It’s not as simple as she had hoped though. First there are troubles between Katie and Tracy. Then about the time Katie finally comes around and things calm down, something strange seems to be happening with Doug, leaving Christy quite confused as to what is going on with her boyfriend. Then suddenly someone wants to quit their team. And when tragedy calls someone back home, a void is left that Christy is requested to fill. She wants to serve, but it means traveling alone through a foreign country to go join a team she doesn’t even know! How can she figure anything out with all this chaos? This is not what she thought a missions trip would be like!

Notes: A Promise Is Forever is the twelfth and final book in the original Christy Miller series. In this book Christy wrestles with the issue of trusting God even when things are out of her comfort zone. Katie does as well. It also continues the theme from the last book of being willing to let go of dreams and rely on God alone to bring joy and peace. Spoiler alert: It ends on a beautiful note that will bring tears to those who have followed the character all through the twelve books.

Teen girls can relate to Christy and her struggles throughout the series, but also see a character who learns, sometimes the hard way, what the Biblical perspective should be. This is the 11th book in the Christy Miller series. This series has been republished multiple times and is available in multiple forms. This book was supposed to end the story, but later continued with the Sierra Jensen series, the College Years Series, the Katie series and the Married Years series.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 55

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 86:11-12 – Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.