God, Our Safe Harbor

Drawn By The Current by Jocelyn Green is a simply marvellous Christian historical novel that is grounded in fact. It is the third book in The Windy City Saga series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The novel is set in Chicago in 1915 and has its’ focus on the real-life Eastland disaster. We witness characters suffering from PTSD, although that was unheard of at that time.

To survive the sinking was a matter of luck. “She would never understand why she had been spared.” Sometimes there are questions, to which we will never know the answer this side of heaven. After a trauma, it is necessary to talk it out. “Surviving wasn’t as simple as it sounds. Talking helped.”

We see the power of prayer. “Not that I can think of a single thing that might be of use to him, aside from prayer. That, he’ll need in spades.” Prayer is simply talking to God. We need to lift others up to God. We can trust that God always has our back. “Please, Father … send help.” There are times when we have no words but God knows what is on our hearts.

We see the patronizing attitude of some men. “You’re a nurturer. It’s what women are good at.” Women were seen as inferior to men by some. In contrast, others saw their equality.

There is the difficult topic of domestic abuse. This is sensitively portrayed. We see the need for love and support of friends. It takes courage and/or desperation to break free.

We follow a forward-thinking young woman who stands on her own two feet. “Part of her longed to beg God for help, while the other part felt she needed to navigate her own way out.” We can trust God to do what we cannot. He longs to help us.

There is the theme of identity. “You were made in the image of God, and who you are is bigger than what you do.” A character struggles with self-worth. She feels invisible if she is not hiding behind a title of daughter or friend or employee. “The job title on the business card doesn’t define who he is… What we do is not the sum of who we are.” We are all children of God. We are who He says we are. God says we are loved and we are His.

Family is important. Family is not just blood related but those who love and support us. “We were an unconventional little group, but I felt like we were family.”

There are times in life when we feel like we have no strength. It is then that we must press into God. “Whatever she did, it was through God’s strength alone.”

A major theme is that of loss. Loss comes in many forms. When we wander from God, we become lost, but we may not realise it. “I was lost… I didn’t know I’d been lost until I was found.” All heaven rejoices when a prodigal returns home.

I absolutely loved Drawn By The Current and never wanted it to end. All the characters were well drawn, realistic and likable. This was a powerful story of survival despite the odds and of realizing our identity in God. We need to know Whose we are.

I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

JULIA WILSON