10 Interview Questions About Messy Journey

Friends,

My book Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home will be released May 1! (The book can be pre-ordered on Amazon.) 

I have had the blessing of being interviewed about the book  and thought perhaps you might like to have the answers to these questions as well. So here are 10 of those questions.

With faith, hope, and love,

Lori

10 Interview Questions About the Writing of Messy Journey

1. How would you describe your writing in general to someone who hasn't read any of your books?

My books are written for moms and dads in the trenches of parenting. They are for parents who are looking for another way to raise kids other than simply behavior modification or natural consequences. If families seek to encourage grace, responsibility, and interdependence my parenting books will provide faith-based,  practical, and easily applicable help and support. My mission is to help families build connections that last a lifetime. My parenting philosophy is not only to encourage desirable behavior but to raise kids in a way that encourages character development and spiritual growth. It is best to work from the inside out rather than the outside in; grow the heart, adjust the behavior.

 2. What inspired you to write Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home?

Life doesn’t always go the way we expect. As parents, we can do everything “right” and still have a child who veers off the expected path. With my daughter’s permission and input, I share our journey— the struggles a prodigal child brings and how to live life in the middle of the mess.

3. How would you describe this book to someone in a 30 second blurb?

Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home is for parents walking the difficult road with a wayward child. This book is filled with stories from dozens of Christian parents and some prodigals. It includes my personal journey with my same-sex attracted daughter. The book is vulnerable and honest. No matter why a parent has a prodigal (or if you love someone who does) this book will bring comfort, help, and encouragement.  Practical grace- and truth-filled ways of navigating a relationship with a detoured child who is rejecting faith, dabbling in sin, or wholeheartedly embracing sinful behavior are given. There is hope.      

4. How did you research or plan your book?

Both personally and professionally I have experienced the messy journey.I have personally lived-out the journey and walked alongside many families who are heart broken and weary because their child has taken a detour. 

5.  Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book?

Messy Journey is for the wounded and weary parent and for those who love them. It is also a resource for counselors, pastors, and support group leaders.  This book offers biblical truth, helpful strategies, prayers, and hope for the hurting and often lonely parent.

 6. What sparked your interest in this topic?

This is a book I didn’t want to write. Having a child who has gone astray not only causes heartache it can be isolating and shaming. No one wants the hurt, the pain that a prodigal brings. But as only God can do, in my grief He tenderized me and moved me to reach out to bring comfort and encouragement to other families facing major struggles with their child.

7. What do you hope readers will gain from the book?

My prayer is that the moms and dads reading this book feel encouraged and less alone. My hope is that by reading the stories of others and implementing the suggestions presented they feel empowered to get through the day and to never give up.

 8. How did personal experience impact writing this book?

My personal experience provides the overarching feeling of connection from the reader to author. Even if the reader’s struggle looks different from mine there are common threads and truths when one is the parent of a prodigal.

 9. How much of your own life goes into your books?

This book isn’t only about my daughter and me, it is filled with many parents and their stories. The prodigals’ substance abuse, sexual sin, and/or rejection of faith are all topics that are addressed. As society normalizes sin, Christian parents feel as if they are constantly fighting the culture. But we have a God who always wins and never gives up!

10. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a teacher and a mom. I am thankful I have been able to wear both hats. I am passionate about helping parents be the moms and dads their kids need. I never considered becoming an author. In the first parenting course I developed and taught, a few of the participants told me I should put the information in a book. I told them I was too busy raising my four kids, they could take notes. Messy Journey is my fourth parenting book. God can do the impossible, even with a resistant and rebellious heart.

Lori Wildenberg is a  licensed parent and family

Click here to get to Amazon

educator, co-founder of  1Corinthians13Parenting.com,

 Lori's newest book, Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home (New Hope Publishers) can be ordered on Amazon or found at your favorite bookstore. If you are a parent of a child who has strayed or know a family in this situation, this book will provide comfort, help, and hope.
Click here to   Contact Lori to speak at your next event. She is also available for parent consulting and parent training courses. Lori can also be found mentoring over at  MOMS Together community on Facebook. 

Head over to Amazon to get your copy of Raising Little Kids with Big Love  

or Raising Big Kids with Supernatural Love.