Alyssa Bethke’s “Satisfied” – Gentle Hug in a Book

A gentle, whispering hug

Today, I’m sharing my review of Alyssa Bethke’s Satisfied. My first review in ages! Welcome home, book blog. 🥰

First of all, let me just say this: us grown ups don’t read enough picture books. There, I said it! Satisfied is an atypical book in that it physically looks more like a Joanna Gaines cookbook. It is hardback, massive, and filled with dreamy, beautiful full color imagery. It felt a little strange toting this book around with me to coffee shops, but I did it regardless and was better for it. And every page that features an image made me smile. Adults need more picture books. That’s all I’m saying!

The book’s subtitle, “Finding Hope, Joy, and Contentment Right Where You Are” is a perfect description of the heart and intention behind this book. Alyssa brings to the table an authentic heart filled with vulnerability. It didn’t really feel like I was reading a book, but instead a good old fashioned letter from a friend. A few times, sitting in the coffee shop reading, I was holding back tears. Other times I was smiling so widely that I thought I was going to burst out in laughter. In the moments that I read at home, I found myself nodding my head in agreement, whispering affirmation and praise for the gentle whisper of hope that Alyssa was sharing with my spirit.

Honesty time

So, I was supposed to have read this book a long time ago. Like, in the summer of 2021 when it was released. I was selected for the launch team, so I was supposed to provide a review in the first few weeks after it released. But I fell short of the terms I agreed to, and my completion date looked more like December 29, 2022. Whoopsies. (I’m really sorry, launch team! I started it on time, I promise!)

I wish I had read this book way back then. However, in all honesty, Alyssa’s words were much more powerful to me now than they would have been back then. I needed to hear what she had to say in this season of my life.

Usually, I struggle with books written for Christian women. They tend to reinforce misogynistic, patriarchal values that make my skin crawl. As an advocate for women in ministry, and as a woman in ministry myself, I am usually disturbed by books about being a Christian woman, wife, or anything resembling the topic of contentment. Often, “contentment” in books written for Christian women looks more like accepting borderline or straight up abusive, toxic behaviors from unhealthy men on power trips. And frankly, I’m not cool with that. But I already knew Alyssa’s writing, her family’s dynamics and their structure, and I felt confident that I would not have to worry about how she would write on contentment. I was right, too: I had nothing to worry about. I was safe in Alyssa’s hands.

Wherever you are, this is for you

Alyssa is a wife, mother, and ministry leader who lives in Hawaii. My life looks almost nothing like hers! However, even if I had read this book before I was married, I would still have been able to glean so much from it. She speaks about grief, body image issues, consumerism, job woes, and community in such an accessible and relatable way. All of this is through the lens of a faith that is truly lived. That’s what I mean by accessible: nothing feels too big to reach for. Alyssa calls us to a higher faith, a deeper faith, but it doesn’t feel impossible to reach. It’s tangible, earthy, and natural. It’s deeply honest, too. Alyssa’s heart is so kind and gentle, and I know I have a lot to learn from her.

This book felt like a warm hug. I wanted to curl up with my coffee under a cozy blanket while reading it. I’m contemplating mailing my copy to a friend who I think will benefit from the gentleness of it. If you are in a time of pain, questioning the goodness of God or where you are at in life, then seriously — this is the hug you need.

And it’s not just a hug lacking sound theology. Alyssa is delivering a hug based in good, Holy truth. She is speaking a message I have taught so many times over the last several years in my work in ministry; how beautiful it was, though, to have the message spoken over me.

Summary

10/10 would recommend. I give Alyssa Bethke’s Satisfied (not an ad, just a link to help you find the book) my full recommendation!

More than just the book, I fully recommend Alyssa Bethke and her husband Jeff. You may have unknowingly encountered Jeff, as he had several viral spoken word videos back in the early YouTube days and is also a New York Times Best Selling author multiple times over. They have cowritten several books as well.

Their family values, mission, and ethos is one that Garrett and I strive to learn and grow from heavily as we structure our family in our marriage. Their family mission statement is one of my favorite things ever, and it was something that I told Garrett I wanted to do for ourselves when we got married. So we did! (Want to know more? Let me know in a comment!)

As I read, I underlined places, took photos of entire pages to send to my husband while he was at work, and earmarked pages I wanted to return to time and time again. I think I will reread Satisfied sooner rather than later probably, and that speaks volumes, as I am not much for rereading books.

If you are in need of a gentle read that you can work through slowly, Alyssa Bethke’s “Satisfied” is the book for you. It would be perfect to journal through on your own or with a friend. You absolutely must stop and enjoy the photos along the way. It’s a requirement to read!

I hope to see you all again soon with more book reviews, faith topics, Harry Potter content, and more. But until then, I send my love!

Nikki Shover