Dr. Jessica Peck prescribes Hope for Healthy Families on American Family Radio
Hello and welcome to the Dr. Nurse Mama show prescribing Hope for Healthy Families here on American Family Radio. Here's your host, professor, pediatric nurse practitioner, and mom of four, Dr. Jessica Peck.
Dr. Jessica Peck Hey there friends, and welcome to my favorite time of day, getting to spend time with you, prescribing Hope for Healthy Families. Today, our prescription is to look for the goodness of God in the middle of the storm. Now that may be a literal storm, it may be a figurative storm. Whatever you are going through, we can find hope in resting our lives and building our lives on the foundation of God's word, of God's truth.
In September of 1900 Galveston was devastated by the deadliest natural disaster
Now for all of you out there, you know that I'm a native Texan and looking at, I, live in the Houston area and In September of 1900, Galveston, Texas, which is just south of Houston. And in 1900, 125 years ago, it was then a bustling port city and it was actually the jewel of the Gulf Coast. Now those of you who have been there and think I've seen that beach, I don't know that it compares beach wise. It really was a metropolitan, like no other. It was growing. There were wealthy people there. It was thriving. But In September of 1900, Galveston was devastated by the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. At the time, a power powerful Category 4 hurricane slammed into the island. Winds estimated at 145 miles per hour, storm surge over 15ft high. That island is basically at sea level, was less than 10ft above sea level. And with no modern warning systems in place, residents had little time to prepare. We're talking about mass devastation now. I lived and I'd worked in Galveston for 15 years, going to school there. I'm very, very familiar with the city. I have been to museums. I have seen and been in storm survivor houses and seen the impact of that. But we are talking about devastation on a scale that's almost unimaginable, except it seems like it continues to play itself out when we see devastation continuing to happen by storms where entire neighborhoods are flattened. And in this storm, more than 10,000, maybe as many as 12,000 men, women and children lost their lives in a single night. And the city was forever changed, both in landscape and in spirit. It was never quite the same. And again, the story resonates deeply with me because of my personal connection to Galveston. It's a place that really is shaped by its history. I've walked the seawall, I've walked the streets that were impacted by the flood. There was a hotel there, the Tremont Hotel. I actually stayed in there after I was married. I've stayed there many times since. And I visited many of those places where the storm left its mark, both physically and spiritually. There is actually a haunting, beautiful monument at the seawall depicting a family that's seeking refuge. It's a father. He has one arm extended to the sky, one arm around his wife, her arms around their small child. And we're talking today to an author who wrote a story about this. But I would be remiss before I get to that. That's why we're talking about it.
Recent floods in many areas of the country have left families displaced
I would be remiss if I didn't talk about the recent floods that we've had in many areas of the country. But for me, particularly the same summer we saw the Hill country in Texas. Those communities faced devastating floods where roads turned into rivers. Families were displaced. We saw the loss of life, especially, the loss of life on a very big scale from a camp, camp mystic. And we're just reminded of how quickly our sense of security can be shaken. But Jesus offers us a promise in the midst of chaos. In Matthew 7, he says, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise who built his house on the rock. The rains came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house, yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. And whether it's the hurricane of 1900, the flood waters of today, the storms of life are inevitable. But we are not without hope. And when we build our lives on the firm foundation of God's word, we can stand strong even when everything else feels like it's swept away. And so you might be asking, what does it take to keep going when life shatters unexpectedly like that? So we are welcoming today acclaimed, author, historical fiction writer Jennifer L. Wright, whose newest novel transports readers to Galveston, Texas, that I've been sharing with you. On the eve of the deadliest natural disaster in US History, and through the eyes of a character named Kathleen McDaniel, who was a woman fleeing heartbreak, seeking refuge, Jennifer explores not just the historical events, but timeless truths about grief and hope and spiritual resilience. So we'll talk about how reading well crafted fiction can serve as a healthy habit for emotional restoration, spiritual reflection, even healing. And it offers us an invitation to strengthen our faith. Because fiction doesn't just entertain. It helps us feel deeply, see more clearly and imagine what resilience and redemption can look like. So, Jennifer, so glad to have you. Thank you so much for joining us Today.
Jennifer L. Wright Thank you so much for inviting me. I am just thrilled to be here.
Dr. Jessica Peck I am thrilled to have you here, too.
Your newest novel is set during the 1900 Galveston hurricane
I am an avid reader, always have been. I've always been that girl with my nose in a book. And historical fiction is my favorite genre. I think it's so encouraging, especially Christian historical fiction, to imagine what life must have been, been like throughout different moments in time, and yet to see the same principles of faith there. So your newest novel is set during this 1900 Galveston hurricane, and what inspired you to write about this?
Jennifer L. Wright Well, you know, it's funny. I heard you earlier talking about Galveston and the beach at Galveston, but I live in New Mexico, so for us desert dwellers, like Galveston island actually is a really nice beach. my kids and I were just there earlier this time, spring, and they had a blast. I just. I love Galveston. I think it's beautiful. As a history nerd, the history just absolutely leaves me breathless. So I've always kind of had a soft spot for Galveston. I've always been a little bit of a weather nerd as well. I live in New Mexico now, but I grew up in the Midwest, and so I was that kid that you get a tornado warning, and I'm running outside to look at the sky. You know, go inside, Go inside. I'm like, no, I want to see it. So I've always been very interested in weather. And so I actually picked up a nonfiction book, just by chance, at my local library about the Galveston hurricane. And, you know, it's funny because it is the deadliest and costliest natural disaster in United States history to this day. And yet I don't feel like it gets the recognition that it deserves. and so when I was reading that nonfiction book about it and just learning about it, I thought, I have to write a book about this. I just have to. It felt like all of my passions converging into one, and I knew there was a story there.
Dr. Jessica Peck Well, I'm so glad that you did, because as someone who worked every day in Galveston, it's a constant reminder. My sister actually went to school there, too. She lived in, a house that was a 1900 storm survivor. This is very common knowledge and language. You can see high water marks, you know, which buildings were there, which weren't. And it was just really wonderful to see someone from New Mexico to pick that up and to tell that story, because there are lessons that we can learn. So I want to know, Jennifer, what surprised you most during your research into this storm and life in Texas at the turn of the century.
Jennifer L. Wright I think what surprised me most and really what drew me to the story is because, you know, you look at it was a monster hurricane, and you look at the year that it happened, 1900, and it's so easy to just chalk it up to history. And, oh, they didn't have the technology. Oh, they didn't have the warnings. They didn't have this and that that we have today. And that is why so many lives were lost and the island was destroyed. But that's not the whole story. So much of what happened with the Galveston hurricane lied with human error and arrogance. you know, there was. The leading scientific minds at the time did not believe hurricanes could reach Texas. That was the scientific, verdict at the time. They also didn't believe that even if the sea swelled, that it would ever pos. A threat to Galveston. They did a whole study and decided against building a seawall because they simply did not believe it was possible, even when the storm was coming. And they were hearing reports from Cuba, hey, there's a hurricane coming. It's a bad one. They ignored it. They absolutely ignored it because they thought the Cuban scientists were overreacting and that, oh, it was just a thunderstorm. So I think that the human aspect of this storm is what really drew me to it.
Dr. Jessica Peck And you did. You represented a real character and of course, a fictional account. Isaac Klein is the guy's name who was. And I may be saying this a little bit imprecisely, but he was basically in charge of the weather service here in Galveston. And as I was reading the account, as you shared what he had done, because you're right, you said he believed that hurricanes could not reach Galveston. Scientific improbability, impossibility even. And it reminded me like, you know, not even 15 years later, we. The Titanic that sunk because of that overconfidence in science. And, you know, of course, I am a scientist by profession, and so I believe that God, you know, created science and science is just catching up with God's knowledge. But I, want you to lean into that a little bit more and talk about this non fictional, this real person that you put in your fictional account and why you felt that was such an important theme to explore.
Jennifer L. Wright Well, I do believe, you know, I don't think it's a black and white issue. And I hope in the book it doesn't come across as me blaming Isaac Klein or anything like that, because obviously he didn't create the hurricane. It wasn't his fault.
Dr. Jessica Peck He was human, but.
Jennifer L. Wright Exactly, he was human and he did make errors, that I believe cost human lives. does that mean that I think he was an evil person or a bad person? No, not at all. He was a flawed man and he had flawed science at the time. And. But I think so much of that plays into that spiritual foundation that you were talking about at the beginning. If we put all of our hope and all of our trust in man, it's never going to end. Well, not saying that you can't trust science because obviously, you know, not anti science by any means, but our ultimate hope needs to be in God.
Dr. Jessica Peck It is very true that that is exactly how I feel. And it's got to be rude. It's just all about what you. I really do think that you conveyed in the book is having that foundation of faith and you integrated some other real life happenings into your fictional account, your fictional story. And one of those was particularly tragic. And as you and I were talking even before we started it, it was just. It's heartbreaking to me. Heart wrenching. And the story in Galveston was there was. Well, actually, I'll let you tell it. Tell about the orphanage that you wrote about. The real life orphanage and the nuns who took care of orphans on Galveston Island. There was.
Jennifer L. Wright Yeah. So unfortunately, like so much in Galveston, that orphanage was built right on the beach. I mean, they could step out of there and they were right on the beach, right on sea level. And when the storms came, the waters rose so quickly that there was no time for these nuns to evacuate these children that lived there. I believe it was approximately 10 nuns and approximately 100 children, that were in these buildings. And. And, the horrible thing is that the waves came up and I believe there were only three or four children that ended up surviving. the orphanage was just completely swept out to the sea. And in Galveston now, there is a marker that marks the spot of the original orphanage. And I know the last time we were in Galveston, I visited it and it made me feel so heavy, just thinking of the innocent lives that were lost in that place. it's just. It's a very, very tragic story. And it was. I included it in my book, that it was definitely not one that I took lightly, knowing that these were real people.
Dr. Jessica Peck Absolutely. And as I said, I just couldn't help but just feel heartbroken over the similarities of the girls that were lost at the camp. And then, of course, all of that loss of life and there were just some similarities there. And Jennifer, I think it's EAS to think in those Kinds of situations like where is God in the middle of all of that tragedy? But I think one of the encouraging things is that you find him and you share that. How we find God in the middle of a storm, in the middle of something that just seems so tragic. We just have to have that firm foundation knowing that we don't always know why things happen, but we know that God knows and we and some of those things are just beyond our understanding. And so when we come back, I want to talk a little bit more about faith and that foundation, that resilience and redemption and how you weave that through your writing and how you found examples of that in history. And I think it's encouraging to see that all throughout history we live in a broken world where we will face trouble, we will face trial, we will face tragedy of immeasurable proportion. But we can have hope in a God who's promised us eternity. We'll talk about that and later on. I also want to talk, Jennifer, about what it's like to be a Christian author and how things are changing with digital content and the value of still reading a book. And not only a good book, but a good Christian book. We'll talk more with Jennifer L. Wright when we come back.
An ultrasound provided by preborn helped Candace hear her unborn baby's heartbeat
Candace talks about finding out she was pregnant. Thankfully, an ultrasound provided by preborn allowed her to hear her baby's heartbeat. The sonogram sealed the deal for me. My baby was like this tiny little spectrum of hope and I saw his heart beating on the screen and knowing that there's life growing inside, I mean that sonogram changed my life. I went from just Candace to mom. Thank you to everybody that has given these gifts. You guys are giving more than money. You guys are giving love. PreBorn currently has clinics that do not have ultrasound machines. Would you consider a leadership gift and sponsor a machine today? These life Saving machines cost $15,000 more than most centers can afford. Your donation will save countless lives for years to come. Dial pound250 and say the keyword baby or go to preborn.com/AFR.
Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for you are who you are no matter where I am and every tear I cried you hold in your hand you never left my side though my heart is. Torn. I will praise you in the storm.
Dr. Jessica Peck Welcome back friends. That song is Praise you in this storm by casting crowns.
Historical fiction can help us reflect on challenges of our time
And today we are taking a moment to think about the 1900 of storm that hit Galveston Island. That is in Texas 125 years ago this month. And we're talking about the power of historical fiction to shape perspective, to stir your soul, and to strengthen your faith. We're talking to author Jennifer L. Wright. She's the author of many books, and her latest book, Last Light Over Galveston, is a historical fiction account that brings that year, 1900, vividly to life. And there is some nostalgia there. It talks about bathing costumes and telegrams and some of the city that I still see, because I don't live too far from there. But more than nostalgia, her storytelling is giving us a window into the hearts of people who faced incredible adversity and clung to faith. And fiction can help us reflect on the challenges of our time, just like the recent floods in the Hill country in Texas, through the lens of history, how seeing what others endured can anchor our own spiritual and emotional responses today and strengthen our faith. Because the past has a way of reminding us that the human spirit, when it is anchored in something eternal, something unshakable, something that's beyond our understanding. I say all the time as a quote I heard as a teenager, if God was small enough to be understood, he wouldn't be big enough to be worshiped. We find how we can survive the fiercest storms, whether those are real physical storms or metaphorical storms. And so, Jennifer, thanks for so much for joining us today.
Matthew 7 talks about building your house on the rock. How did you weave that through historical fiction account
I want to pick it up and talk about this, the theme of this foundation. I shared that verse from Matthew, the importance, the guidance that we have to build our house on the rock. How did you weave that through the historical fiction account? And even though the story of your main character here wasn't real, the story of that faith and resilience is real. How did you use that to encourage the heart of your reader?
Jennifer L. Wright Well, I think, you know, that theme really was self evident. you Talked about Matthew 7, where it talks about building your house on the sand. And the rains came and the winds came, and to me that sounds like a hurricane. So it absolutely just lended itself to that. But then I also wanted to go deeper. And so without giving away too much of the book, my main character, Kathleen, her backstory, you learn a little bit about it as you go through the novel. And it wasn't so much a physical house. It was her spiritual, ah, house. It was her foundation. What did she build her identity on? What did she build her life on? and we find out, out that it was built on, her father. It was built upon. She was wealthy. she lived in a great big house. She had all these. These benefits and advantages. And so that was where her identity came from. That is what she built her life on. But when something like that is taken away, what do you have left? And the scary thing is, I think all of us have to reckon with it sometime, that everything around us is temporary. Everything that we have, even every person that we are in contact with, that we love, that we, include in our lives, they can be taken as well. And so if you build your life upon any of those things, it can easily be shaken. It can easily be like that house that's built upon the sand. The only true and lasting thing is God.
Jennifer writes about the Galveston hurricane in her new book
Dr. Jessica Peck And as you were writing this, Jennifer, how did it inform or influence your own faith? Because we can, you know, look at these stories that are written. But you found real stories that, as we said, you've integrated some of those into the stories. I'm sure you did a lot of research. And how did it change the way that you think about your own faith?
Jennifer L. Wright Well, you know, it's funny. God never does anything by accident. And when I was writing this book, I was going through a time of profound changes in my own life. my husband retired from the air force after 20 years of active duty. That was all we had known in our entire marriage, and kind of came to that reckoning of, well, now what? Now what are we going to do? And as I was writing this book, I was coming to realize that a lot of my identity and a lot of the stability of my life, I had built that upon my husband's career. just this is how we do life. We move every two or three years. And this is who my husband is, so this is who I am. And it was slowly God showing me that, okay, that chapter of your life is over. And now what? And it really was an eye opening for someone like me who has, you know, professed Jesus, I am a Christian. I am a Christian. And. Oh, wow. But that wasn't really what I was putting my hope on. That wasn't really what I was building my life on. I was building it on our life as a military family. And so it really helped me to, kind of repent of that sin and truly surrender and just say, you know, God, I. I don't. I want you to be the foundation of my life. No matter what my job is, no matter what my husband's job is, no matter where we're living or what we're doing. You need to be truly that firm foundation in my life.
Dr. Jessica Peck I think that's really brave of you to say, Jennifer, because We were talking about storms, whether it's an actual hurricane, like happened in 1900, or it's a, proverbial storm that's going on. And those kinds of life transitions can certainly feel like that. And really, when you wrote in the book about the storm, it really was a metaphor for a spiritual reckoning for Kathleen, for the main character there and rebuilding. How did you write that into your story so that readers would have a takeaway about God's presence in the midst of suffering? Because, again, without giving away too much of the story, for those who want to read the story, there is a spiritual reckoning that happens in the middle of that storm. How did you work to convey those truths, the ones that you were learning in your own life and your lessons that you were learning from m others. How did that. How did that show up in the story?
Jennifer L. Wright Well, I. You know, I know in my life personally, and in all of my books, I seem to see God the clearest when things are the hardest. you know, there's an old saying that you can't see the stars until it's dark. And so most of my books tend to be a little bit darker. They tend to be a little bit harder. and, you know, the Galveston hurricane, I don't know that you can get much darker than that with the loss of life and just the sheer destruction. But I've also noticed that, you know, I read a lot of actual news clippings from the Galveston storm. And what struck me the most was that so many people that were there, they still had their faith. And. And I think that if you're willing to do it, you know, if you don't allow your heart to get hardened, you can see God so clearly in the midst of tragedy, if you allow your heart to be soft and open and God just show up, you know, speak, move, let me see you. You're going to see them in those hard moments. And with Kathleen, I really felt like what she just needed was for everything to literally and metaphorically be washed away. And once all that is washed away, then you're really faced with, what do you have left? And hopefully it's God.
Dr. Jessica Peck M. Well, you.
How do you make historical fiction powerful and relevant for readers looking for spiritual lesson
When you're writing historical fiction, you've been praised for writing historical fiction, and I'm quoting here from one of your reviews, historical fiction as it is meant to be told. What does that mean to you, and how do you make that historical fiction powerful and relevant for a reader who's looking for that spiritual lesson? How does that all come together, together for you?
Jennifer L. Wright Well, I Think for me, the biggest thing is, and I speak, I have a 13 year old son and he hates history. He absolutely hates, which is crazy for me. but you know what he says is it's boring. It's boring. He's reading history out of textbooks. And when you're just reading facts and figures, I agree it is boring. But what I try to do in my books is I try to make history real. Because I think sometimes it's easy to forget that these were real people living through these historical events. They were people just like you and I that were living through these, you know, world changing events that are happening in history. I, for example, I wrote a book about the Dust Bowl. I wrote a book about the Trinity test here in New Mexico. And these are all things that you're going to read about in history books. But again, they're real people. And so what I try to do is put the human element back into history. And not only the human element, but also the element of faith. Because the church has endured for thousands of years now. And so there have been good and faithful servants living through all of the things that we have read about in our history textbooks. And I think it's imperative and it brings modern day readers hope if you can see their faith through these historical events.
Dr. Jessica Peck I completely agree. And that's one of the reasons why historical fiction remains my favorite genre of book to read. Because it's so interesting to make those events come to life. And there's something really powerful about, I even think about, you know, of course we all know, most of us know the story of the Titanic, of the band who played a hymn as the ship was going down near my God to Thee. And I think here we are more than a hundred years later, still singing that song, still singing that truth. And I think when you can look at people who have experienced unimaginable tragedy and yet their faith is unshaken because God has been real to them. His presence has been real in their life. He has showed up in, in supernatural ways. And even though the outcome wasn't what we would want here on earth, they are somehow unshakably reassured by his care. I think those stories are really powerful. And even when we look at, you know, movies over the last century that have been most resonating, you think about movies like, like Schindler's List or think about Saving Private Ryan or Wartime movies that are based on his history that really give you an idea because you can read about what it was like, but then to see that suffering come to Life. And yet in the middle of it, see faith that is there. I think that's really encouraging.
How do your readers respond to your book? Jennifer says it's subjective
So how do your readers respond, Jennifer? Because you're writing like you said, about brokenness, about real world, world, world pain, about tragedy, but you're still pointing to hope and truth. How do you think, how have you seen this resonate with the heart of your reader?
Jennifer L. Wright You know, books, are very subjective. So, there are some readers who maybe it's a trigger point, maybe they just don't enjoy, dark stories. So I will put that out there that maybe my books aren't for everyone. especially maybe if you've experienced something similar in your past and it's, it's not what you're looking for. But overall, generally I am getting letters from readers every week that are saying, you know what, I went through this hard time and I read this book and it gave me hope. It gave me hope to see that, hey, these people survive this with their faith intact and I can too. And that absolutely means the world to me. You know, whenever I release a book, I always pray, God, please just get this book into the hands of people who need it. because I think that's something that only he can do. Once the book is out in the world, there's not too much that I can do with it aside from m, just pray that people read it. But my biggest, my biggest prayer is that it just goes to the people who need to hear what I'm trying to say, the people who do need hope, who are maybe going through a difficult or dark time. And I hope I'm bringing a little bit of light to them.
Jennifer L. Wright talks about being a Christian author in today's modern landscape
Dr. Jessica Peck Well, let's talk a little bit about being a Christian author in today's day and age because you've got some challenges, Jennifer, because this day and age kids are raised on digital content. They're also being trained by social media to have shorter and shorter attention spans. Like, can you give me this book in a 45 second reel? You know, it's basically where they are. We see a, big demand for self help books, which I think can be helpful to some extent. But also for me personally, Jennifer, I know myself, I don't need more help from myself. And we see, just a decrease in reading. And so how do you see the challenges of a Christian writer in this modern landscape?
Jennifer L. Wright It's, it's extremely difficult. not only are we dealing, like you said, with, with shortened attention spans and just a general lack of readership overall, but you're also really competing with the general market that's, that's pushing subjects that are distinctly anti biblical. so it's really very hard sometimes to reach the readers that we are trying to reach. But I, I genuinely believe in the power of story, as I always tell people. Jesus. There's a reason that Jesus spoke in parables. there's just, there's, there's power in telling a story and I think it presents truth in a way that's easier for people to understand. And so, at least for me personally, I have to view being a Christian writer as a sort of ministry. And I know that just like any other ministry that's out there, I'm not going to be able to reach everyone. As much as I wish that I could, I know it's not going to happen, but I can, can do, using the tools that God has given me, I can reach as many people as I can and just do what I can to not only promote my books, but just promote Christian fiction in general.
Dr. Jessica Peck And you're actually a member of something called the American Christian Fiction Writers. It's a group. I want you to tell us about that community and what kind of support it's been for you and how it shaped your work because we may have some other writers out there who may want to join.
Jennifer L. Wright it is an amazing organization. And you know, I came into this career thinking it's going to be. My background is in journalism. Actually, that's what I was for for a little while. I was a reporter. And it's a very cutthroat, a very competitive business. So coming into this, that's kind of what I was expecting. We're all going to be competing with each other for readers and bestseller lists and this and that. And I have really just found fellowship. We are these people that are a part of acfw. They are some of the most supportive people that I have ever met. We are genuinely just there trying to build each other up and advance Christian fiction as a whole. I think most of the people who are in this organization are very much like me in that they view a win for Christian fiction as a win for all of us. If we can get one Christian fiction book into a hand, who wouldn't normally pick up a Christian fiction book, whether it's my book, whether it's someone else's, that is going to open doors. And so that is our goal. And I highly encourage anyone who is interested in Christian fiction or who's dabbling in Christian fiction, maybe wants to try to break through the market to join your local chapters. You do not have to be a published author to join.
Dr. Jessica Peck That is really encouraging. And that organization is again, again is called, American Christian Fiction Writers. When we come back, Jennifer, I want to ask you more about being discerning about what you read and the importance of, Christian fiction and how we can be mindful, making sure that we're reading what is edifying to us and not what's going to bring us down. Because sometimes we just thoughtlessly consume media. We'll talk about being more intentional about that and talk more aspiring writers when we come back.
When you think of God speaking to humans, that is necessary because of his character
Dr. John Oswalt from the American Family Studios documentary, the God who Speaks.
Dr. John Oswalt When you think of God speaking to humans, that is necessary because of his character.
Dr. John Oswalt He is not this world. Yes, the world of nature reflects him. And Paul can say that we have no excuse. The world has shown us there is a God and that he rewards those who believe. But if we're really to know this God who is not this world, the only way he can do it is by speaking to us. And that's the great character of the Bible. It is speech. Visit thegodwhospeaks.org.
Rest For Your Soul by Austin French Are, you tired and troubled? weighed down by a heavy load Praying for change Searching for faith Waiting on a miracle I am drowning in questions can't believe where the road has led there's one who knows the heavy you hold and he says come to. Me. Oh who are weary And heavy burden All who are hurting Come to me I'll be your shelter My yoke is easy My load is. Light. And you can find Rest for your soul Rest for your soul
Dr. Jessica Peck Welcome back, friends. That is rest for your soul by Austin French. And we are talking today about that very thing. How do we find rest for our soul when it seems like everywhere in the world there is unrest, upheaval, there is trauma, tragedy and trial. We're talking today about how do we find that? And we're talking about the power of story and especially fictional stories. Reading, writing, edifying fiction isn't just a pastime or a hobby. It can be a practice that can strengthen us from the inside out. And in this final segment, we're talking to author Jennifer L. Wright, and she's sharing with us how writing and reading redemptive stories can become a spiritual discipline and really strengthen our faith. We talking about the importance of choosing books that lift our hearts, challenge our thinking, and draw us closer to the truth. And in this story, that, Jennifer's latest story, Last Light Over Galveston, she's Talking about the 1900 storm, catastrophic, most deadly, most costly natural disaster to date here in the United States. A very tragic story. But looking at how do we find hope in the middle of that? And when a story stirs our soul, it often opens the door for God to speak into that moment. And we need to remember from Philippians 4, whatever is true, whatever is noble. and all of those things we need to think about those things that are praiseworthy, that are edifying to us. And when I look at the landscape of childhood, as I always think about children who are growing up in today's day and age, I see them, their generation being shaped to look at shorter content, shorter form content, more digital content. We don't see kids reading as much. But I will tell you, I have seen a trend, especially among teenage girls, to read more. And what concerns me is a lot of the most popular, the best selling fiction in their genre does not meet those qualifications that are laid out for us in Philippians 4. And many times because they are reading words and think that they're not consuming images or media, that somehow it's okay when a lot of times the words that are written on those pages are really not okay. And we see a lot of, what, what I'm seeing is a genre called fan fiction where girls can generate their own stories and insert themselves into celebrities lives and kids just have access to this. Now I remember when I was growing up, when I was a teenager, Robin Jones Gunn had written a series that I still recommend to this day, called the Christy Miller Series for teenage Girls. It was a great coming of age, timeless story. But I would have to wait until that physical book was released, released, and somebody would drive me to the bookstore and I would have the money to buy that book and then read it. And now we just have instant content at our fingertips. And I think as mothers we need to be really careful about what we are reading to make sure that it is edifying.
You started out as a journalist before deciding to write Christian fiction
So Jennifer, I want to invite you back into the conversation. Let's back up a little bit and let's talk about your own journey as a writer. You just talked about it a little bit. You started as a journalist. What gave. And I think you said, and I read in your bio, that you aspired to be Jane Pauley at one time. So some people in some generations will know who that is. That gives us a little frame of reference. How did you decide to say, I'm going to step out and write Christian fiction? What was your conviction in that?
Jennifer L. Wright You know, it's when people ask me about that, I always, I can sum it up in one sentence in that it just didn't sit right with my soul. there's a certain callousness that you have to possess to be a reporter. I will never forget. I had a professor in journalism school tell me that, you know, if there's a house burning down, you need to be okay with sticking a microphone in the homeowner's face and asking them how they feel about their house burning down. and I just thought, but I'm not okay with that. You know, I want to give them a hug, I want to sit with them, I want to pray with them, I want to care for their, their heart in that moment. And, you know, so I worked in journalism for a while and I just was very unhappy and it was a spiritual thing. It made me spiritually sick. so I just knew that this was not a career that I could, sustain long term, if I wanted to continue to walk in my faith and be healthy in that manner. So, took a step back, had my babies, and as I was a stay at home mom with my two kids, I still have that desire to write. It was just, I honestly feel like that was a gift from the Lord. It's just something that he put in me that I've always had. And so I just decided to start writing books. So in between nap times and preschool drop offs, I started writing and, I got my agent and, you know, I didn't actually start out writing specifically Christian fiction. It was just a general fiction book. And I had someone read it. And she, she said, you know, there's a spiritual theme running through this story. And I said, what? And she goes, yeah, if you pull that to the front, the story is going to be that much stronger because it's just there. Which I guess makes sense because I am a Christian. Makes sense that that would find its way into my writing. And so the minute that I pulled that to the forefront and made that the core of the story, I found a publisher.
Dr. Jessica Peck Wow.
Jennifer L. Wright It was like God was waiting for me to finally get it together and click those buttons together in my head and realize, this is I want you to do.
Dr. Jessica Peck You know, for me, as someone, I'm constantly appraising culture. I'm looking at the media that teenagers are consuming and what's popular, what's selling, just to give me a pulse on the culture and how do we respond, what are the threats that can come from that and all of those kinds of things. And, when you look at Some of the fiction work that's out there. Jennifer, you're talking, I mean, you talked about writing themes with, with writing stories with heavy themes, things. But we read the Bible. There's definitely some heavy stories in the Bible. There is definitely some trauma, some trials, some tragedies that happen there. And looking at those through a lens of faith, what do you think is the danger of not having that, of reading those things and, and just maybe even having something that's harmful, that you don't even recognize it? How do you encourage readers to be, be discerning about what they read and, and not just to, kind of think, oh, it's just a story? Like, what. What's the big deal?
Jennifer L. Wright Yeah, well, you know, it tells us in Proverbs 4:23 to above, all else, guard your heart. And I think most Christians, they would agree with that. They understand that, but I don't think they translate that into the media that they consume. you know, you talked about TV and movies and social media, and I think even if they, they recognize the first, they might. Again, just like you were saying, I don't think they really, truly realize, the danger that lies in books. But I think the danger in books is very unique because, no, you're not seeing an image projected on a screen. You're creating that image in your head. a story is what kind of sets your imagination loose. And that, I think, can even be more dangerous than something you see on a screen because you're creating it yourself out of your heart and out of your head. And so there is just a very distinct lack of what you were talking about in Philippians 4. 8. What is true, what is noble, what is pure, what is lovely. There is a distinct lack of that in a lot of the secular fiction that we see out there. And not just a lack of it, but a dangerous push in the other direction that I don't think a lot of people comprehend or realize.
Dr. Jessica Peck You know, I remember when my son was in high school and he had been at school and they were doing, I think, some sort of testing. And my son, as you said, your, your child does not like history. My son does not like reading. And so that is something, you know, that is my thorn in my side. I'm continuing to work on that. But, but he did not read, bring a book to read after the testing, and the girl in front of him had brought a book. And so he got bored and he was just kind of shoulder surfing, which is a term that kids use to say I'm just, you know, consuming the media that you're consuming over your shoulder. And he came home and told me about this book that she was reading. And I'll tell you, the hair raised up straight on the back of my neck, I was really shocked. And his impression was, this wasn't anything that was hidden. It wasn't like she was doing it in secret. It was just very normalized just to open up this book and just to read it. And I think what you just said is so wise there, because like I said, people think, oh, well, it's just words. But you're creating that own image, which is actually neurological, more risky as far as, you know, just taking you into temptation and sin. And so I want to know, Jennifer, what are books that you reach for? What are books that have encouraged you in your Christian walk or influenced your writing?
Jennifer L. Wright Well, I would say, you know, when you say the word Christian fiction, I feel like there is, there's a little bit of balking against it. people have this idea of Christian fiction of maybe the 70s or 80s, that it clean or it's harm. Yeah, exactly, exactly. It kind of has a bad reputation, which, is unfortunate, but it is what it is. I would say that nowadays there has been a distinct push back against that. And there is such a wide variety of genres across Christian fiction that anybody. Because I myself, I read across a variety of genres. I like a little bit of everything. You know, if it's a good story, I'm going to read it. I don't care what the genre is. And the great thing about Christian fiction is that you can find, books like that all through it that still have that message of hope and that still keep God at the center. I know that some of my favorites nowadays, one of my favorites is Jamie Jo Wright. She writes books that are a little bit spooky, which you wouldn't think that a Christian fiction book could be spooky. But she weaves these amazing threads of hope and Christ in the center of it, and I just think she's absolutely brilliant. She is a huge favorite of mine. another is Amanda Barrett. when you talk about Christian historical fiction, as much as I would love to adjust my crown and say I'm the best out there, I believe that she is writing the best Christian historical fiction out there. Her books are deep and they are meaningful and they are beautiful. And then you also have authors like Katy Powner and Amanda Cox, who are writing beautiful contemporary stories that showcase God's love throughout modern day.
Dr. Jessica Peck And one of the things that you've been doing, Jennifer, throughout our whole conversation is integrating scripture. And it's so important to be discerning because even in Christian fiction, you know, there can be some, some concerning things there. And so just I would encourage parents out there listening to be discerning about the media that your kids consume. We've been talking a lot Jennifer, about digital media and visual media, audio, visual, you know, video content, and how it's so important for parents to co view that media. Not just to let kids just stream things, you know, on their own without having previewed it. And I think it's really important too for parents to read the books that their kids are reading. And even when you're talking about spooky books, you know, if you look at some of the the options that are out there for media that have a fascination with, you're talking horror genre, grisly, like it probably would shock a lot of parents to see, see what is out there. And so I think no matter what it is, whether it's audio, visual, digital media or whether it's a book, whatever it is, read alongside your kids. This is something I always did with my kids growing up. I read out loud almost every single night. We read all kinds of books. Historical fiction was my favorite. So you know, for the most part that's what the kids heard. But there's something about engaging them in the past, power of story and then being able to have those conversations. And I think there's probably parents out there who are thinking, that's so awkward. If I walk into my kids room and say, hey, I'd like to read to you out loud, they're going to be like, why? And so do you have any experience with that with your kids? How would you encourage parents to read to their kids?
Jennifer L. Wright I would say just do it. Don't worry about being awkward. I own that. You know, I have a preteen and a teenager now and I love being the awkward parent. Like it's so much fun to just be like, you know what, I know you're embarrassed, but I don't care. This is my right as a mother and this is what we're going to do. And I just want to piggyback on what you were just discussing. I think it's important to read and consume the media that they are consuming. Not just for content, but there's a lot of stuff out there that is labeled Christian, that is not Christian. And so you can't just hand your child a book or hand them a movie or, you know, things like that and be like, well, it's labeled Christian, so it's fine. It's important to even read and watch those things with your kids, because again, just because it's labeled a certain way doesn't mean that it's actually scripturally sound.
Dr. Jessica Peck Jennifer, that is a great word, because these books can be a tool. They can be a help in discipling our kids, but nothing's going to really replace the discernment and judgment and responsibility that God has given us as their parents to guide them. And I think that's a great word. And I also endorse being the awkward parent. I love it because, you know, my kids, it wasn't like at, first when I would read, they'd say, oh, wow, mom, when you did those voices with the terrible accent, I really enjoyed that because you were trying to give me the full experience of the book. You know, if I was reading with a British accent or something. But what they would say is, when I get to the end of the chapter, they'd say, one more, one more, Mom. And that was all that I needed.
Jennifer L. Wright's newest book is called Last Light Over Galveston
Well, listen, we've been talking to Jennifer L. Wright. Her newest book is called Last Light Over Galveston. Thank you so much, Jennifer, for sharing with us. And I pray that wherever you are, whatever you're reading or watching, listen, may the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face shine, shine upon you. May he be gracious to you and give you peace. And I will see you right back here next time.
Jeff Chamblee The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
Dr. Jessica Peck prescribes Hope for Healthy Families on American Family Radio
Hello and welcome to the Dr. Nurse Mama show prescribing Hope for Healthy Families here on American Family Radio. Here's your host, professor, pediatric nurse practitioner, and mom of four, Dr. Jessica Peck.
Dr. Jessica Peck Hey there friends, and welcome to my favorite time of day, getting to spend time with you, prescribing Hope for Healthy Families. Today, our prescription is to look for the goodness of God in the middle of the storm. Now that may be a literal storm, it may be a figurative storm. Whatever you are going through, we can find hope in resting our lives and building our lives on the foundation of God's word, of God's truth.
In September of 1900 Galveston was devastated by the deadliest natural disaster
Now for all of you out there, you know that I'm a native Texan and looking at, I, live in the Houston area and In September of 1900, Galveston, Texas, which is just south of Houston. And in 1900, 125 years ago, it was then a bustling port city and it was actually the jewel of the Gulf Coast. Now those of you who have been there and think I've seen that beach, I don't know that it compares beach wise. It really was a metropolitan, like no other. It was growing. There were wealthy people there. It was thriving. But In September of 1900, Galveston was devastated by the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. At the time, a power powerful Category 4 hurricane slammed into the island. Winds estimated at 145 miles per hour, storm surge over 15ft high. That island is basically at sea level, was less than 10ft above sea level. And with no modern warning systems in place, residents had little time to prepare. We're talking about mass devastation now. I lived and I'd worked in Galveston for 15 years, going to school there. I'm very, very familiar with the city. I have been to museums. I have seen and been in storm survivor houses and seen the impact of that. But we are talking about devastation on a scale that's almost unimaginable, except it seems like it continues to play itself out when we see devastation continuing to happen by storms where entire neighborhoods are flattened. And in this storm, more than 10,000, maybe as many as 12,000 men, women and children lost their lives in a single night. And the city was forever changed, both in landscape and in spirit. It was never quite the same. And again, the story resonates deeply with me because of my personal connection to Galveston. It's a place that really is shaped by its history. I've walked the seawall, I've walked the streets that were impacted by the flood. There was a hotel there, the Tremont Hotel. I actually stayed in there after I was married. I've stayed there many times since. And I visited many of those places where the storm left its mark, both physically and spiritually. There is actually a haunting, beautiful monument at the seawall depicting a family that's seeking refuge. It's a father. He has one arm extended to the sky, one arm around his wife, her arms around their small child. And we're talking today to an author who wrote a story about this. But I would be remiss before I get to that. That's why we're talking about it.
Recent floods in many areas of the country have left families displaced
I would be remiss if I didn't talk about the recent floods that we've had in many areas of the country. But for me, particularly the same summer we saw the Hill country in Texas. Those communities faced devastating floods where roads turned into rivers. Families were displaced. We saw the loss of life, especially, the loss of life on a very big scale from a camp, camp mystic. And we're just reminded of how quickly our sense of security can be shaken. But Jesus offers us a promise in the midst of chaos. In Matthew 7, he says, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise who built his house on the rock. The rains came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house, yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. And whether it's the hurricane of 1900, the flood waters of today, the storms of life are inevitable. But we are not without hope. And when we build our lives on the firm foundation of God's word, we can stand strong even when everything else feels like it's swept away. And so you might be asking, what does it take to keep going when life shatters unexpectedly like that? So we are welcoming today acclaimed, author, historical fiction writer Jennifer L. Wright, whose newest novel transports readers to Galveston, Texas, that I've been sharing with you. On the eve of the deadliest natural disaster in US History, and through the eyes of a character named Kathleen McDaniel, who was a woman fleeing heartbreak, seeking refuge, Jennifer explores not just the historical events, but timeless truths about grief and hope and spiritual resilience. So we'll talk about how reading well crafted fiction can serve as a healthy habit for emotional restoration, spiritual reflection, even healing. And it offers us an invitation to strengthen our faith. Because fiction doesn't just entertain. It helps us feel deeply, see more clearly and imagine what resilience and redemption can look like. So, Jennifer, so glad to have you. Thank you so much for joining us Today.
Jennifer L. Wright Thank you so much for inviting me. I am just thrilled to be here.
Dr. Jessica Peck I am thrilled to have you here, too.
Your newest novel is set during the 1900 Galveston hurricane
I am an avid reader, always have been. I've always been that girl with my nose in a book. And historical fiction is my favorite genre. I think it's so encouraging, especially Christian historical fiction, to imagine what life must have been, been like throughout different moments in time, and yet to see the same principles of faith there. So your newest novel is set during this 1900 Galveston hurricane, and what inspired you to write about this?
Jennifer L. Wright Well, you know, it's funny. I heard you earlier talking about Galveston and the beach at Galveston, but I live in New Mexico, so for us desert dwellers, like Galveston island actually is a really nice beach. my kids and I were just there earlier this time, spring, and they had a blast. I just. I love Galveston. I think it's beautiful. As a history nerd, the history just absolutely leaves me breathless. So I've always kind of had a soft spot for Galveston. I've always been a little bit of a weather nerd as well. I live in New Mexico now, but I grew up in the Midwest, and so I was that kid that you get a tornado warning, and I'm running outside to look at the sky. You know, go inside, Go inside. I'm like, no, I want to see it. So I've always been very interested in weather. And so I actually picked up a nonfiction book, just by chance, at my local library about the Galveston hurricane. And, you know, it's funny because it is the deadliest and costliest natural disaster in United States history to this day. And yet I don't feel like it gets the recognition that it deserves. and so when I was reading that nonfiction book about it and just learning about it, I thought, I have to write a book about this. I just have to. It felt like all of my passions converging into one, and I knew there was a story there.
Dr. Jessica Peck Well, I'm so glad that you did, because as someone who worked every day in Galveston, it's a constant reminder. My sister actually went to school there, too. She lived in, a house that was a 1900 storm survivor. This is very common knowledge and language. You can see high water marks, you know, which buildings were there, which weren't. And it was just really wonderful to see someone from New Mexico to pick that up and to tell that story, because there are lessons that we can learn. So I want to know, Jennifer, what surprised you most during your research into this storm and life in Texas at the turn of the century.
Jennifer L. Wright I think what surprised me most and really what drew me to the story is because, you know, you look at it was a monster hurricane, and you look at the year that it happened, 1900, and it's so easy to just chalk it up to history. And, oh, they didn't have the technology. Oh, they didn't have the warnings. They didn't have this and that that we have today. And that is why so many lives were lost and the island was destroyed. But that's not the whole story. So much of what happened with the Galveston hurricane lied with human error and arrogance. you know, there was. The leading scientific minds at the time did not believe hurricanes could reach Texas. That was the scientific, verdict at the time. They also didn't believe that even if the sea swelled, that it would ever pos. A threat to Galveston. They did a whole study and decided against building a seawall because they simply did not believe it was possible, even when the storm was coming. And they were hearing reports from Cuba, hey, there's a hurricane coming. It's a bad one. They ignored it. They absolutely ignored it because they thought the Cuban scientists were overreacting and that, oh, it was just a thunderstorm. So I think that the human aspect of this storm is what really drew me to it.
Dr. Jessica Peck And you did. You represented a real character and of course, a fictional account. Isaac Klein is the guy's name who was. And I may be saying this a little bit imprecisely, but he was basically in charge of the weather service here in Galveston. And as I was reading the account, as you shared what he had done, because you're right, you said he believed that hurricanes could not reach Galveston. Scientific improbability, impossibility even. And it reminded me like, you know, not even 15 years later, we. The Titanic that sunk because of that overconfidence in science. And, you know, of course, I am a scientist by profession, and so I believe that God, you know, created science and science is just catching up with God's knowledge. But I, want you to lean into that a little bit more and talk about this non fictional, this real person that you put in your fictional account and why you felt that was such an important theme to explore.
Jennifer L. Wright Well, I do believe, you know, I don't think it's a black and white issue. And I hope in the book it doesn't come across as me blaming Isaac Klein or anything like that, because obviously he didn't create the hurricane. It wasn't his fault.
Dr. Jessica Peck He was human, but.
Jennifer L. Wright Exactly, he was human and he did make errors, that I believe cost human lives. does that mean that I think he was an evil person or a bad person? No, not at all. He was a flawed man and he had flawed science at the time. And. But I think so much of that plays into that spiritual foundation that you were talking about at the beginning. If we put all of our hope and all of our trust in man, it's never going to end. Well, not saying that you can't trust science because obviously, you know, not anti science by any means, but our ultimate hope needs to be in God.
Dr. Jessica Peck It is very true that that is exactly how I feel. And it's got to be rude. It's just all about what you. I really do think that you conveyed in the book is having that foundation of faith and you integrated some other real life happenings into your fictional account, your fictional story. And one of those was particularly tragic. And as you and I were talking even before we started it, it was just. It's heartbreaking to me. Heart wrenching. And the story in Galveston was there was. Well, actually, I'll let you tell it. Tell about the orphanage that you wrote about. The real life orphanage and the nuns who took care of orphans on Galveston Island. There was.
Jennifer L. Wright Yeah. So unfortunately, like so much in Galveston, that orphanage was built right on the beach. I mean, they could step out of there and they were right on the beach, right on sea level. And when the storms came, the waters rose so quickly that there was no time for these nuns to evacuate these children that lived there. I believe it was approximately 10 nuns and approximately 100 children, that were in these buildings. And. And, the horrible thing is that the waves came up and I believe there were only three or four children that ended up surviving. the orphanage was just completely swept out to the sea. And in Galveston now, there is a marker that marks the spot of the original orphanage. And I know the last time we were in Galveston, I visited it and it made me feel so heavy, just thinking of the innocent lives that were lost in that place. it's just. It's a very, very tragic story. And it was. I included it in my book, that it was definitely not one that I took lightly, knowing that these were real people.
Dr. Jessica Peck Absolutely. And as I said, I just couldn't help but just feel heartbroken over the similarities of the girls that were lost at the camp. And then, of course, all of that loss of life and there were just some similarities there. And Jennifer, I think it's EAS to think in those Kinds of situations like where is God in the middle of all of that tragedy? But I think one of the encouraging things is that you find him and you share that. How we find God in the middle of a storm, in the middle of something that just seems so tragic. We just have to have that firm foundation knowing that we don't always know why things happen, but we know that God knows and we and some of those things are just beyond our understanding. And so when we come back, I want to talk a little bit more about faith and that foundation, that resilience and redemption and how you weave that through your writing and how you found examples of that in history. And I think it's encouraging to see that all throughout history we live in a broken world where we will face trouble, we will face trial, we will face tragedy of immeasurable proportion. But we can have hope in a God who's promised us eternity. We'll talk about that and later on. I also want to talk, Jennifer, about what it's like to be a Christian author and how things are changing with digital content and the value of still reading a book. And not only a good book, but a good Christian book. We'll talk more with Jennifer L. Wright when we come back.
An ultrasound provided by preborn helped Candace hear her unborn baby's heartbeat
Candace talks about finding out she was pregnant. Thankfully, an ultrasound provided by preborn allowed her to hear her baby's heartbeat. The sonogram sealed the deal for me. My baby was like this tiny little spectrum of hope and I saw his heart beating on the screen and knowing that there's life growing inside, I mean that sonogram changed my life. I went from just Candace to mom. Thank you to everybody that has given these gifts. You guys are giving more than money. You guys are giving love. PreBorn currently has clinics that do not have ultrasound machines. Would you consider a leadership gift and sponsor a machine today? These life Saving machines cost $15,000 more than most centers can afford. Your donation will save countless lives for years to come. Dial pound250 and say the keyword baby or go to preborn.com/AFR.
Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for you are who you are no matter where I am and every tear I cried you hold in your hand you never left my side though my heart is. Torn. I will praise you in the storm.
Dr. Jessica Peck Welcome back friends. That song is Praise you in this storm by casting crowns.
Historical fiction can help us reflect on challenges of our time
And today we are taking a moment to think about the 1900 of storm that hit Galveston Island. That is in Texas 125 years ago this month. And we're talking about the power of historical fiction to shape perspective, to stir your soul, and to strengthen your faith. We're talking to author Jennifer L. Wright. She's the author of many books, and her latest book, Last Light Over Galveston, is a historical fiction account that brings that year, 1900, vividly to life. And there is some nostalgia there. It talks about bathing costumes and telegrams and some of the city that I still see, because I don't live too far from there. But more than nostalgia, her storytelling is giving us a window into the hearts of people who faced incredible adversity and clung to faith. And fiction can help us reflect on the challenges of our time, just like the recent floods in the Hill country in Texas, through the lens of history, how seeing what others endured can anchor our own spiritual and emotional responses today and strengthen our faith. Because the past has a way of reminding us that the human spirit, when it is anchored in something eternal, something unshakable, something that's beyond our understanding. I say all the time as a quote I heard as a teenager, if God was small enough to be understood, he wouldn't be big enough to be worshiped. We find how we can survive the fiercest storms, whether those are real physical storms or metaphorical storms. And so, Jennifer, thanks for so much for joining us today.
Matthew 7 talks about building your house on the rock. How did you weave that through historical fiction account
I want to pick it up and talk about this, the theme of this foundation. I shared that verse from Matthew, the importance, the guidance that we have to build our house on the rock. How did you weave that through the historical fiction account? And even though the story of your main character here wasn't real, the story of that faith and resilience is real. How did you use that to encourage the heart of your reader?
Jennifer L. Wright Well, I think, you know, that theme really was self evident. you Talked about Matthew 7, where it talks about building your house on the sand. And the rains came and the winds came, and to me that sounds like a hurricane. So it absolutely just lended itself to that. But then I also wanted to go deeper. And so without giving away too much of the book, my main character, Kathleen, her backstory, you learn a little bit about it as you go through the novel. And it wasn't so much a physical house. It was her spiritual, ah, house. It was her foundation. What did she build her identity on? What did she build her life on? and we find out, out that it was built on, her father. It was built upon. She was wealthy. she lived in a great big house. She had all these. These benefits and advantages. And so that was where her identity came from. That is what she built her life on. But when something like that is taken away, what do you have left? And the scary thing is, I think all of us have to reckon with it sometime, that everything around us is temporary. Everything that we have, even every person that we are in contact with, that we love, that we, include in our lives, they can be taken as well. And so if you build your life upon any of those things, it can easily be shaken. It can easily be like that house that's built upon the sand. The only true and lasting thing is God.
Jennifer writes about the Galveston hurricane in her new book
Dr. Jessica Peck And as you were writing this, Jennifer, how did it inform or influence your own faith? Because we can, you know, look at these stories that are written. But you found real stories that, as we said, you've integrated some of those into the stories. I'm sure you did a lot of research. And how did it change the way that you think about your own faith?
Jennifer L. Wright Well, you know, it's funny. God never does anything by accident. And when I was writing this book, I was going through a time of profound changes in my own life. my husband retired from the air force after 20 years of active duty. That was all we had known in our entire marriage, and kind of came to that reckoning of, well, now what? Now what are we going to do? And as I was writing this book, I was coming to realize that a lot of my identity and a lot of the stability of my life, I had built that upon my husband's career. just this is how we do life. We move every two or three years. And this is who my husband is, so this is who I am. And it was slowly God showing me that, okay, that chapter of your life is over. And now what? And it really was an eye opening for someone like me who has, you know, professed Jesus, I am a Christian. I am a Christian. And. Oh, wow. But that wasn't really what I was putting my hope on. That wasn't really what I was building my life on. I was building it on our life as a military family. And so it really helped me to, kind of repent of that sin and truly surrender and just say, you know, God, I. I don't. I want you to be the foundation of my life. No matter what my job is, no matter what my husband's job is, no matter where we're living or what we're doing. You need to be truly that firm foundation in my life.
Dr. Jessica Peck I think that's really brave of you to say, Jennifer, because We were talking about storms, whether it's an actual hurricane, like happened in 1900, or it's a, proverbial storm that's going on. And those kinds of life transitions can certainly feel like that. And really, when you wrote in the book about the storm, it really was a metaphor for a spiritual reckoning for Kathleen, for the main character there and rebuilding. How did you write that into your story so that readers would have a takeaway about God's presence in the midst of suffering? Because, again, without giving away too much of the story, for those who want to read the story, there is a spiritual reckoning that happens in the middle of that storm. How did you work to convey those truths, the ones that you were learning in your own life and your lessons that you were learning from m others. How did that. How did that show up in the story?
Jennifer L. Wright Well, I. You know, I know in my life personally, and in all of my books, I seem to see God the clearest when things are the hardest. you know, there's an old saying that you can't see the stars until it's dark. And so most of my books tend to be a little bit darker. They tend to be a little bit harder. and, you know, the Galveston hurricane, I don't know that you can get much darker than that with the loss of life and just the sheer destruction. But I've also noticed that, you know, I read a lot of actual news clippings from the Galveston storm. And what struck me the most was that so many people that were there, they still had their faith. And. And I think that if you're willing to do it, you know, if you don't allow your heart to get hardened, you can see God so clearly in the midst of tragedy, if you allow your heart to be soft and open and God just show up, you know, speak, move, let me see you. You're going to see them in those hard moments. And with Kathleen, I really felt like what she just needed was for everything to literally and metaphorically be washed away. And once all that is washed away, then you're really faced with, what do you have left? And hopefully it's God.
Dr. Jessica Peck M. Well, you.
How do you make historical fiction powerful and relevant for readers looking for spiritual lesson
When you're writing historical fiction, you've been praised for writing historical fiction, and I'm quoting here from one of your reviews, historical fiction as it is meant to be told. What does that mean to you, and how do you make that historical fiction powerful and relevant for a reader who's looking for that spiritual lesson? How does that all come together, together for you?
Jennifer L. Wright Well, I Think for me, the biggest thing is, and I speak, I have a 13 year old son and he hates history. He absolutely hates, which is crazy for me. but you know what he says is it's boring. It's boring. He's reading history out of textbooks. And when you're just reading facts and figures, I agree it is boring. But what I try to do in my books is I try to make history real. Because I think sometimes it's easy to forget that these were real people living through these historical events. They were people just like you and I that were living through these, you know, world changing events that are happening in history. I, for example, I wrote a book about the Dust Bowl. I wrote a book about the Trinity test here in New Mexico. And these are all things that you're going to read about in history books. But again, they're real people. And so what I try to do is put the human element back into history. And not only the human element, but also the element of faith. Because the church has endured for thousands of years now. And so there have been good and faithful servants living through all of the things that we have read about in our history textbooks. And I think it's imperative and it brings modern day readers hope if you can see their faith through these historical events.
Dr. Jessica Peck I completely agree. And that's one of the reasons why historical fiction remains my favorite genre of book to read. Because it's so interesting to make those events come to life. And there's something really powerful about, I even think about, you know, of course we all know, most of us know the story of the Titanic, of the band who played a hymn as the ship was going down near my God to Thee. And I think here we are more than a hundred years later, still singing that song, still singing that truth. And I think when you can look at people who have experienced unimaginable tragedy and yet their faith is unshaken because God has been real to them. His presence has been real in their life. He has showed up in, in supernatural ways. And even though the outcome wasn't what we would want here on earth, they are somehow unshakably reassured by his care. I think those stories are really powerful. And even when we look at, you know, movies over the last century that have been most resonating, you think about movies like, like Schindler's List or think about Saving Private Ryan or Wartime movies that are based on his history that really give you an idea because you can read about what it was like, but then to see that suffering come to Life. And yet in the middle of it, see faith that is there. I think that's really encouraging.
How do your readers respond to your book? Jennifer says it's subjective
So how do your readers respond, Jennifer? Because you're writing like you said, about brokenness, about real world, world, world pain, about tragedy, but you're still pointing to hope and truth. How do you think, how have you seen this resonate with the heart of your reader?
Jennifer L. Wright You know, books, are very subjective. So, there are some readers who maybe it's a trigger point, maybe they just don't enjoy, dark stories. So I will put that out there that maybe my books aren't for everyone. especially maybe if you've experienced something similar in your past and it's, it's not what you're looking for. But overall, generally I am getting letters from readers every week that are saying, you know what, I went through this hard time and I read this book and it gave me hope. It gave me hope to see that, hey, these people survive this with their faith intact and I can too. And that absolutely means the world to me. You know, whenever I release a book, I always pray, God, please just get this book into the hands of people who need it. because I think that's something that only he can do. Once the book is out in the world, there's not too much that I can do with it aside from m, just pray that people read it. But my biggest, my biggest prayer is that it just goes to the people who need to hear what I'm trying to say, the people who do need hope, who are maybe going through a difficult or dark time. And I hope I'm bringing a little bit of light to them.
Jennifer L. Wright talks about being a Christian author in today's modern landscape
Dr. Jessica Peck Well, let's talk a little bit about being a Christian author in today's day and age because you've got some challenges, Jennifer, because this day and age kids are raised on digital content. They're also being trained by social media to have shorter and shorter attention spans. Like, can you give me this book in a 45 second reel? You know, it's basically where they are. We see a, big demand for self help books, which I think can be helpful to some extent. But also for me personally, Jennifer, I know myself, I don't need more help from myself. And we see, just a decrease in reading. And so how do you see the challenges of a Christian writer in this modern landscape?
Jennifer L. Wright It's, it's extremely difficult. not only are we dealing, like you said, with, with shortened attention spans and just a general lack of readership overall, but you're also really competing with the general market that's, that's pushing subjects that are distinctly anti biblical. so it's really very hard sometimes to reach the readers that we are trying to reach. But I, I genuinely believe in the power of story, as I always tell people. Jesus. There's a reason that Jesus spoke in parables. there's just, there's, there's power in telling a story and I think it presents truth in a way that's easier for people to understand. And so, at least for me personally, I have to view being a Christian writer as a sort of ministry. And I know that just like any other ministry that's out there, I'm not going to be able to reach everyone. As much as I wish that I could, I know it's not going to happen, but I can, can do, using the tools that God has given me, I can reach as many people as I can and just do what I can to not only promote my books, but just promote Christian fiction in general.
Dr. Jessica Peck And you're actually a member of something called the American Christian Fiction Writers. It's a group. I want you to tell us about that community and what kind of support it's been for you and how it shaped your work because we may have some other writers out there who may want to join.
Jennifer L. Wright it is an amazing organization. And you know, I came into this career thinking it's going to be. My background is in journalism. Actually, that's what I was for for a little while. I was a reporter. And it's a very cutthroat, a very competitive business. So coming into this, that's kind of what I was expecting. We're all going to be competing with each other for readers and bestseller lists and this and that. And I have really just found fellowship. We are these people that are a part of acfw. They are some of the most supportive people that I have ever met. We are genuinely just there trying to build each other up and advance Christian fiction as a whole. I think most of the people who are in this organization are very much like me in that they view a win for Christian fiction as a win for all of us. If we can get one Christian fiction book into a hand, who wouldn't normally pick up a Christian fiction book, whether it's my book, whether it's someone else's, that is going to open doors. And so that is our goal. And I highly encourage anyone who is interested in Christian fiction or who's dabbling in Christian fiction, maybe wants to try to break through the market to join your local chapters. You do not have to be a published author to join.
Dr. Jessica Peck That is really encouraging. And that organization is again, again is called, American Christian Fiction Writers. When we come back, Jennifer, I want to ask you more about being discerning about what you read and the importance of, Christian fiction and how we can be mindful, making sure that we're reading what is edifying to us and not what's going to bring us down. Because sometimes we just thoughtlessly consume media. We'll talk about being more intentional about that and talk more aspiring writers when we come back.
When you think of God speaking to humans, that is necessary because of his character
Dr. John Oswalt from the American Family Studios documentary, the God who Speaks.
Dr. John Oswalt When you think of God speaking to humans, that is necessary because of his character.
Dr. John Oswalt He is not this world. Yes, the world of nature reflects him. And Paul can say that we have no excuse. The world has shown us there is a God and that he rewards those who believe. But if we're really to know this God who is not this world, the only way he can do it is by speaking to us. And that's the great character of the Bible. It is speech. Visit thegodwhospeaks.org.
Rest For Your Soul by Austin French Are, you tired and troubled? weighed down by a heavy load Praying for change Searching for faith Waiting on a miracle I am drowning in questions can't believe where the road has led there's one who knows the heavy you hold and he says come to. Me. Oh who are weary And heavy burden All who are hurting Come to me I'll be your shelter My yoke is easy My load is. Light. And you can find Rest for your soul Rest for your soul
Dr. Jessica Peck Welcome back, friends. That is rest for your soul by Austin French. And we are talking today about that very thing. How do we find rest for our soul when it seems like everywhere in the world there is unrest, upheaval, there is trauma, tragedy and trial. We're talking today about how do we find that? And we're talking about the power of story and especially fictional stories. Reading, writing, edifying fiction isn't just a pastime or a hobby. It can be a practice that can strengthen us from the inside out. And in this final segment, we're talking to author Jennifer L. Wright, and she's sharing with us how writing and reading redemptive stories can become a spiritual discipline and really strengthen our faith. We talking about the importance of choosing books that lift our hearts, challenge our thinking, and draw us closer to the truth. And in this story, that, Jennifer's latest story, Last Light Over Galveston, she's Talking about the 1900 storm, catastrophic, most deadly, most costly natural disaster to date here in the United States. A very tragic story. But looking at how do we find hope in the middle of that? And when a story stirs our soul, it often opens the door for God to speak into that moment. And we need to remember from Philippians 4, whatever is true, whatever is noble. and all of those things we need to think about those things that are praiseworthy, that are edifying to us. And when I look at the landscape of childhood, as I always think about children who are growing up in today's day and age, I see them, their generation being shaped to look at shorter content, shorter form content, more digital content. We don't see kids reading as much. But I will tell you, I have seen a trend, especially among teenage girls, to read more. And what concerns me is a lot of the most popular, the best selling fiction in their genre does not meet those qualifications that are laid out for us in Philippians 4. And many times because they are reading words and think that they're not consuming images or media, that somehow it's okay when a lot of times the words that are written on those pages are really not okay. And we see a lot of, what, what I'm seeing is a genre called fan fiction where girls can generate their own stories and insert themselves into celebrities lives and kids just have access to this. Now I remember when I was growing up, when I was a teenager, Robin Jones Gunn had written a series that I still recommend to this day, called the Christy Miller Series for teenage Girls. It was a great coming of age, timeless story. But I would have to wait until that physical book was released, released, and somebody would drive me to the bookstore and I would have the money to buy that book and then read it. And now we just have instant content at our fingertips. And I think as mothers we need to be really careful about what we are reading to make sure that it is edifying.
You started out as a journalist before deciding to write Christian fiction
So Jennifer, I want to invite you back into the conversation. Let's back up a little bit and let's talk about your own journey as a writer. You just talked about it a little bit. You started as a journalist. What gave. And I think you said, and I read in your bio, that you aspired to be Jane Pauley at one time. So some people in some generations will know who that is. That gives us a little frame of reference. How did you decide to say, I'm going to step out and write Christian fiction? What was your conviction in that?
Jennifer L. Wright You know, it's when people ask me about that, I always, I can sum it up in one sentence in that it just didn't sit right with my soul. there's a certain callousness that you have to possess to be a reporter. I will never forget. I had a professor in journalism school tell me that, you know, if there's a house burning down, you need to be okay with sticking a microphone in the homeowner's face and asking them how they feel about their house burning down. and I just thought, but I'm not okay with that. You know, I want to give them a hug, I want to sit with them, I want to pray with them, I want to care for their, their heart in that moment. And, you know, so I worked in journalism for a while and I just was very unhappy and it was a spiritual thing. It made me spiritually sick. so I just knew that this was not a career that I could, sustain long term, if I wanted to continue to walk in my faith and be healthy in that manner. So, took a step back, had my babies, and as I was a stay at home mom with my two kids, I still have that desire to write. It was just, I honestly feel like that was a gift from the Lord. It's just something that he put in me that I've always had. And so I just decided to start writing books. So in between nap times and preschool drop offs, I started writing and, I got my agent and, you know, I didn't actually start out writing specifically Christian fiction. It was just a general fiction book. And I had someone read it. And she, she said, you know, there's a spiritual theme running through this story. And I said, what? And she goes, yeah, if you pull that to the front, the story is going to be that much stronger because it's just there. Which I guess makes sense because I am a Christian. Makes sense that that would find its way into my writing. And so the minute that I pulled that to the forefront and made that the core of the story, I found a publisher.
Dr. Jessica Peck Wow.
Jennifer L. Wright It was like God was waiting for me to finally get it together and click those buttons together in my head and realize, this is I want you to do.
Dr. Jessica Peck You know, for me, as someone, I'm constantly appraising culture. I'm looking at the media that teenagers are consuming and what's popular, what's selling, just to give me a pulse on the culture and how do we respond, what are the threats that can come from that and all of those kinds of things. And, when you look at Some of the fiction work that's out there. Jennifer, you're talking, I mean, you talked about writing themes with, with writing stories with heavy themes, things. But we read the Bible. There's definitely some heavy stories in the Bible. There is definitely some trauma, some trials, some tragedies that happen there. And looking at those through a lens of faith, what do you think is the danger of not having that, of reading those things and, and just maybe even having something that's harmful, that you don't even recognize it? How do you encourage readers to be, be discerning about what they read and, and not just to, kind of think, oh, it's just a story? Like, what. What's the big deal?
Jennifer L. Wright Yeah, well, you know, it tells us in Proverbs 4:23 to above, all else, guard your heart. And I think most Christians, they would agree with that. They understand that, but I don't think they translate that into the media that they consume. you know, you talked about TV and movies and social media, and I think even if they, they recognize the first, they might. Again, just like you were saying, I don't think they really, truly realize, the danger that lies in books. But I think the danger in books is very unique because, no, you're not seeing an image projected on a screen. You're creating that image in your head. a story is what kind of sets your imagination loose. And that, I think, can even be more dangerous than something you see on a screen because you're creating it yourself out of your heart and out of your head. And so there is just a very distinct lack of what you were talking about in Philippians 4. 8. What is true, what is noble, what is pure, what is lovely. There is a distinct lack of that in a lot of the secular fiction that we see out there. And not just a lack of it, but a dangerous push in the other direction that I don't think a lot of people comprehend or realize.
Dr. Jessica Peck You know, I remember when my son was in high school and he had been at school and they were doing, I think, some sort of testing. And my son, as you said, your, your child does not like history. My son does not like reading. And so that is something, you know, that is my thorn in my side. I'm continuing to work on that. But, but he did not read, bring a book to read after the testing, and the girl in front of him had brought a book. And so he got bored and he was just kind of shoulder surfing, which is a term that kids use to say I'm just, you know, consuming the media that you're consuming over your shoulder. And he came home and told me about this book that she was reading. And I'll tell you, the hair raised up straight on the back of my neck, I was really shocked. And his impression was, this wasn't anything that was hidden. It wasn't like she was doing it in secret. It was just very normalized just to open up this book and just to read it. And I think what you just said is so wise there, because like I said, people think, oh, well, it's just words. But you're creating that own image, which is actually neurological, more risky as far as, you know, just taking you into temptation and sin. And so I want to know, Jennifer, what are books that you reach for? What are books that have encouraged you in your Christian walk or influenced your writing?
Jennifer L. Wright Well, I would say, you know, when you say the word Christian fiction, I feel like there is, there's a little bit of balking against it. people have this idea of Christian fiction of maybe the 70s or 80s, that it clean or it's harm. Yeah, exactly, exactly. It kind of has a bad reputation, which, is unfortunate, but it is what it is. I would say that nowadays there has been a distinct push back against that. And there is such a wide variety of genres across Christian fiction that anybody. Because I myself, I read across a variety of genres. I like a little bit of everything. You know, if it's a good story, I'm going to read it. I don't care what the genre is. And the great thing about Christian fiction is that you can find, books like that all through it that still have that message of hope and that still keep God at the center. I know that some of my favorites nowadays, one of my favorites is Jamie Jo Wright. She writes books that are a little bit spooky, which you wouldn't think that a Christian fiction book could be spooky. But she weaves these amazing threads of hope and Christ in the center of it, and I just think she's absolutely brilliant. She is a huge favorite of mine. another is Amanda Barrett. when you talk about Christian historical fiction, as much as I would love to adjust my crown and say I'm the best out there, I believe that she is writing the best Christian historical fiction out there. Her books are deep and they are meaningful and they are beautiful. And then you also have authors like Katy Powner and Amanda Cox, who are writing beautiful contemporary stories that showcase God's love throughout modern day.
Dr. Jessica Peck And one of the things that you've been doing, Jennifer, throughout our whole conversation is integrating scripture. And it's so important to be discerning because even in Christian fiction, you know, there can be some, some concerning things there. And so just I would encourage parents out there listening to be discerning about the media that your kids consume. We've been talking a lot Jennifer, about digital media and visual media, audio, visual, you know, video content, and how it's so important for parents to co view that media. Not just to let kids just stream things, you know, on their own without having previewed it. And I think it's really important too for parents to read the books that their kids are reading. And even when you're talking about spooky books, you know, if you look at some of the the options that are out there for media that have a fascination with, you're talking horror genre, grisly, like it probably would shock a lot of parents to see, see what is out there. And so I think no matter what it is, whether it's audio, visual, digital media or whether it's a book, whatever it is, read alongside your kids. This is something I always did with my kids growing up. I read out loud almost every single night. We read all kinds of books. Historical fiction was my favorite. So you know, for the most part that's what the kids heard. But there's something about engaging them in the past, power of story and then being able to have those conversations. And I think there's probably parents out there who are thinking, that's so awkward. If I walk into my kids room and say, hey, I'd like to read to you out loud, they're going to be like, why? And so do you have any experience with that with your kids? How would you encourage parents to read to their kids?
Jennifer L. Wright I would say just do it. Don't worry about being awkward. I own that. You know, I have a preteen and a teenager now and I love being the awkward parent. Like it's so much fun to just be like, you know what, I know you're embarrassed, but I don't care. This is my right as a mother and this is what we're going to do. And I just want to piggyback on what you were just discussing. I think it's important to read and consume the media that they are consuming. Not just for content, but there's a lot of stuff out there that is labeled Christian, that is not Christian. And so you can't just hand your child a book or hand them a movie or, you know, things like that and be like, well, it's labeled Christian, so it's fine. It's important to even read and watch those things with your kids, because again, just because it's labeled a certain way doesn't mean that it's actually scripturally sound.
Dr. Jessica Peck Jennifer, that is a great word, because these books can be a tool. They can be a help in discipling our kids, but nothing's going to really replace the discernment and judgment and responsibility that God has given us as their parents to guide them. And I think that's a great word. And I also endorse being the awkward parent. I love it because, you know, my kids, it wasn't like at, first when I would read, they'd say, oh, wow, mom, when you did those voices with the terrible accent, I really enjoyed that because you were trying to give me the full experience of the book. You know, if I was reading with a British accent or something. But what they would say is, when I get to the end of the chapter, they'd say, one more, one more, Mom. And that was all that I needed.
Jennifer L. Wright's newest book is called Last Light Over Galveston
Well, listen, we've been talking to Jennifer L. Wright. Her newest book is called Last Light Over Galveston. Thank you so much, Jennifer, for sharing with us. And I pray that wherever you are, whatever you're reading or watching, listen, may the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face shine, shine upon you. May he be gracious to you and give you peace. And I will see you right back here next time.
Jeff Chamblee The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
Jennifer L. Wright, author of the newly released novel "Last Light Over Galveston," joins Jessica to talk about the book and the historical storm that inspired her to write the story
Rx for Hope: Look for the Goodness of God Amid the Storm
https://jennwrightwrites.com/last-light-over-galveston/
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