Sisterchick is “a friend who shares the deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and gives you a reality check when you’re being a brat.” A great definition; my only change would be that she loves you even when you’re being a brat! But Robin Jones Gunn’s Sisterchick definition has served her well as she has been delighting readers with her wacky adventures around the globe. From Sisterchicks on the loose in Finland to Sisterchicks down under in New Zealand, the concept of women having fun, solving problems and enjoying life has resonated with female fans and made her a popular “chick-lit” author.

TAKE FLIGHT! seems like a natural rest stop, a place for us and the author to take a break from whirlwind adventures and simply reflect. Robin’s own Sisterchick, Cindy Hannan, had just returned from doing a Bible study series in Indonesia, which inspired her to think about collaborating on the devotional that God had been leading her to write. Cindy agreed, and TAKE FLIGHT! took flight, with Robin telling “God stories” and Cindy providing thought-provoking questions that spur self-awareness, honesty and a desire to know Him more personally.

The resulting book is filled with stories of encouragement, love, hope, wisdom and whimsy. The stories come from “Robin’s Nest” and the focus questions and highlights come from “Cindy’s Perch.” These are but two of the unremitting bird references that could be annoying in less loving hands. But because they are done with such a sweet spirit, we not only enjoy them but add a few of “owl” own!

Each section of the book has several chapters that can be read in order, out of order or straight through. The first section, “Bird’s-Eye View,” includes Sunset Worship, Love of Strangers, and A New Dream. Robin intermingles her “God stories” with stories from the Bible, both Old and New Testament, to show how God has always known the needs of His children and how He has always provided the answers they need. The most obvious and difficult being: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love one another as you love yourself. As we ponder the concept of love, the longing for it grows…it’s a God thing.

While most women can relate to having a best friend when they were girls and teens, and even as young marrieds, many have lost that joy with the onset of career chasing, numerous moves and outrageously busy schedules. It’s not easy to make friends with all of that going on, and somehow the fear of rejection and disappointment keeps us from taking the risks necessary to do so. And how much simple joy we miss as a result.

TAKE FLIGHT! and the Sisterchick stories themselves put a longing in the heart for unconditional friendship. The words that Robin and Cindy use to inspire us to take the risks are precious and encouraging, and are sure to spark our spirit to TAKE FLIGHT!