It is a joy to introduce you to my friend, Debbie Taylor Williams, as she talks about her new book, The Plan A Mom in a Plan B World. Debbie and I met years ago as women’s ministry writers and speakers and have been friends ever since!
And if you’d like a chance to win one of Debbie’s books, just leave a comment this week and you’ll be in the drawing! Be sure to return next week to see if you’re the winner! And don’t forget to check her impressive bio below. 
Vonda: Let’s dive right in. Debbie, moms can sometimes feel like they’re going to pull their hair out if one more glass of milk spills, Susie refuses to go down for her nap, or Brett doesn’t get home by curfew. What do mom challenges have to do with raising “faithful” kids?
Debbie: We live in what I refer to as a Plan B world. In other words, this isn’t the Plan A Garden of Eden that God pronounced “good”. We live in a world Jesus described as being under the rule of Satan. However, most moms have a Plan A heart. They want to raise their children to know and love God and to relate to others in positive ways.
Vonda: If we have Plan A hearts, why is it so difficult to raise faithful kids?
Debbie: Part of our parenting struggles may be the result of how we were raised. We may not have had the best role models. Other times our struggles are self-induced. We may stay up watching our favorite late night show and then are too exhausted to parent effectively the next day. In addition, Satan’s influence is prominent in shows, music, and social networking.
Vonda: What hope is there for moms who want to raise faithful kids?
Debbie: That’s the good news! As Christians, we have a second citizenship: one in heaven. We can live under Christ’s rule and raise our children accordingly.
Vonda: How do we do that?
Debbie: Through both Biblical and current day Christian moms we discover that there are parenting land mines to avoid and parenting choices to adopt. Every mom can learn what those are.
Vonda: What’s an example of a parenting land mine?
Debbie: Guilt. If we as moms live under a weight of guilt for things we’ve done wrong, it will affect our countenance, decisions, and actions. Satan will use that guilt against us. Christ died to remove the guilt of our sins.
Vonda: What is an example of a parenting practice to adopt?
Debbie: Rejoicing in grace instead of languishing in guilt. Imagine the difference between a mom who lives under the mantle of guilt and how she is likely sullen and over-indulgent with her child. Contrast her with a mom who has a healthy respect for God, confesses and repents when she sins; then lives in the joy and peace that she’s been forgiven. She will relate to her children in a totally different way than the mom who lives with guilt.
Vonda: You said you use current day moms as examples in your book. Why and who did you use?
Debbie: I feel that it’s important for authors to “show” and not just “tell” readers what they’re attempting to communicate. In other words, it’s easy for an author to write, “You should do this and this to be a good mom.” However, often moms are doing all they can and Plan B still happens. A husband has an affair, a child gets run over by a car, or mom gets diagnosed with a terminal disease. Therefore, I asked moms to share their Plan B parenting stories and how God provided a way for them in and through their situation. Both my close friends and author friends, such as Thelma Wells, Dena Dyer, and Janet Thompson show us how to parent effectively in the midst of Plan Bs.
Vonda: I take it this is a serious book since it’s such a serious topic?
Debbie: It is a serious topic, but moms also need to laugh. Therefore I conclude each chapter with a section called “Laugh Out Loud.” Here’s how one reader describes The Plan A MOM in a Plan B World: “a practical, humorous, easy-to-read, incredibly important book on raising Godly children in a difficult world. I am a mother of 3 young children, and this book hit me right where I am. I started reading and couldn’t stop. If you are anything like me — best intentions, trying hard, and often struggling as a Mom — you will want to inhale this book cover to cover.”
Vonda: Is it written primarily for moms of young children?
Debbie: Moms of all ages will “take home” practical points. The section, “75 Pointers for a Sane Family,” relates to all ages and stages of families.
Vonda: Is this something that could be studied in a church setting?
Debbie: Yes! In addition to the “Live Out Loud” section in which the reader has the opportunity to see moms live out positive parenting practices, there is a section called “Love Out Loud” that has Scripture based discussion questions.
Vonda: Why is it called “Love Out Loud”?
Debbie: It’s important for Christians moms to encourage one another with the Scriptures. It’s one of the ways we love one another. Rather than pointing the finger at what each other is doing wrong, we can encourage one another with the Word in small group settings.
Vonda: What final word of encouragement do you have for moms and for authors?
Debbie: For moms: You can parent in God-honoring ways and raise your children to be faithful. Educate yourself on these parenting land mines and then adopt their counterpart positive practice. For authors: Keep writing and encouraging your readers!
Vonda: Thank you for joining us, Debbie! And readers, be sure to leave a comment so you’ll have a chance to win Debbie’s newest book, The Plan A Mom in a Plan B World.
Debbie’s Bio: Debbie is a sought-out Christian speaker and author. Best known as a passionate Biblical expositor, Debbie uses humor and practical illustrations to communicate spiritual truths on a variety of topics and has presented her P.R.A.Y. with Passion Conference in 22 states.
She is a religion columnist for the Kerrville Daily Times and has published articles in numerous magazines. As well as enjoying Debbie in print, you may have seen her as a television guest on Life Today with James Robison, At Home Live!, Family Net, The Harvest Show, Atlanta Live, Rejoice! TCT World Network, Friends and Neighbors, and God Answers Prayers; or heard her as a guest on radio programs throughout the
nation.
Debbie and Keith, her husband of more than 35 years, live in Kerrville, Texas. They have two married children, one grandson, and two other grandchildren on the way. To invite Debbie to speak or learn more about her ministry, visit her website at or call .
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How’s Your April MoGo7000 Coming? It’s Not Too Late to Join!
We still have a week to go on this month’s MoGo7000 challenge, so don’t give up! So far, we have 23 entries for this year’s $100 cash give away. But even more important, almost 250,000 words have already been written by MoGo7000 participants and that’s just through March! There’s no telling how many words–and BOOKS–could come out of this challenge!
And you can still join us! Check out the MoGo7000 guidelines here. It’s never too late to join in!
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Send Me Your Kudos!
Signed a contract? Had an article published? Created a new blog or website? Won an award? We want to celebrate with you! Send me your good news and it’ll be announced in next week’s blog!
But you MUST follow this format to be included:
Your name
Link to your blog/website, if applicable
Your state
Your good news
Link to your good news, if applicable
Lo res jpg of book/magazine cover, if applicable–must attach & send to vondaskelton (@) gmail (dot) com
And if you’ve sent me something that hasn’t been posted yet, please send it again. I had email issues a couple of months ago and may have lost a few things.
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Want to Learn How to Build a Blog?
My friend and cohort, Edie Melson, will be presenting another Build a Blog workshop. But you must hurry–the workshop is this Saturday! In this hands-on class, participants will come away with a finished blog site, as well as insights into how to build a community online. Here’s the scoop:
Date: Saturday, April 30th
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Lunch is included)
Location: Edie’s home at , Simpsonville 29681
Price: $150 (10% discount for AAWC members) – must pay in advance
Number of students: Limited to 10
You can register online at or send Edie a check, payable to AnAuthor World (but the check must be received before the class). You must register and pay in advance.
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Parting Words from The Word… 
This verse should encourage us as parents. Praise God, He doesn’t leave us on our own as we raise our young. He leads us.
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11
I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
