INTERVIEW | Linda Massey Widdle
By editor on Sep 21, 2009 in Featured, Interviews
Linda, describe yourself for our visitors.
I am a child of God, a parent, grandparent, a writer, a voracious reader, a curriculum designer, a too-long-every-day-commuter, a good friend, an avid learner, a collector of U.S. counties and of books by and about first ladies. I love to talk, to be silent, to write, to think, to play ping pong, to take pictures and laugh. I’m a workaholic, but I love what I do, so it seems right. I am a Chicago girl through and through (yes, I’ve been a Cub fan since sixth grade.)
At age five, I told people I would someday be a pastor’s wife (like my mom) and a writer (like my dad). I grew up and did both. I was a pastor’s wife for 35 years until my husband passed away from cancer 3 years ago. I have written a couple thousand devotionals, articles and short stories. This is my 13th book. I am senior curriculum designer of U.S. Programs for Awana which means I have written a lot of material for our clubs and teen ministries.
How do you find time to connect with God?
I like to connect to Him multiple times during the day. Often before a meeting or project or even a social event, I’ll take time to be quiet, pray and read a few verses and think about how I can live out those verses in my life. I enjoy researching a Bible character, concept or event. I like looking at the Hebrew or Greek meanings of words to understand the full meanings.
Do you have a favorite bible verse and or quote you wish to share?
My favorite verse is Ephesians 2:10 – We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
NIV The word workmanship comes from the Greek word for poiema which is the same word from which we get the word poem. So in a way, that verse is telling us we’re God’s poem. As a writer I like the connection.
A favorite quote is from my dad: Do something of eternal value every day.
Tell us about your current book, How To Raise a Modern-Day Joseph.
Ok – here’s a parenting book out there with thousands of other parenting books. How is it different? My goal is to encourage parents to forget the magic formulas, forget the sit-down-for-30-minutes-each-day-and-preach-to-your-kids commands, and live out your faith 24/7 by being excited about your relationship with Christ. The book is based on five master life threads – or key godly characteristics in the life of the biblical Joseph. Each of these life threads is connected to an age of a child’s life: preschool – respect for God, early elementary -wisdom, older elementary – grace, middle school – destiny and high school – perspective. The book literally has 100s of ideas for incorporating those life threads into a family’s daily life. But the church needs to support the parents, so there is also a section on how the church can come along side the family
What influenced you to write this book?
I am a PK and then I married a pastor and became a pastor’s wife. I’ve seen lots of parents ignore the spiritual aspect of training their children. They think church is fine as long as church doesn’t interfere with soccer, basketball, homework, camping trips, etc.
Memorizing Scripture is fine as long as a child isn’t too busy watching TV, playing computer games, playing sports, etc. Even though we don’t say it, we’re communicating to our children that the Lord is not a priority. Then parents are surprised when the kids don’t have an interest in making God a vital part of their own life.
At the same time, I’ve seen pseudo-spiritual parents who are praising the Lord every two words to the point where it almost seems fake. Our relationship with God should be a natural, everyday part of our life. Not ignored, but not acted out as if we’re playing an artificial role to impress others with our spirituality.
What’s next for you?
Hmmm … several ideas floating around my brain. Maybe a similar book on grandparents?
Where can visitors find you online?
A few places: www.awana.org – Awana is where I work and where I have a parenting blog (apPARENTly blogging) and contribute to the corporate blog); www.thepracticalpw.wordpress.com (my personal blog – the pw stands for pastor’s wife) and on Facebook.
Don't Miss ...
Thank you for joining us today! Subscribe to Christian Bookworm Reviews & Podcast.
Post a Comment