Q&A with May Patterson
Author of "Seeking a Familiar Face"
Q: Talk about what prompted you to write this book.
A: Although seeking God is mentioned over 50 times in the Bible, I think many Christians neglect doing it as a practice—I sure did—and it caused my soul to suffer. Outwardly, I tried to do all the “right” things, but inwardly I felt really far away from God. This left me with a growing sense of emptiness in my heart—a sort of quiet loss of hope. It caused me to focus on my problems and myself way too much, which only left me feeling emptier.
Some of the people in the Bible felt the same way. Most had difficulties. Some felt stuck. Others were depressed or afraid. And some just wanted to get closer to God. Seeking a Familiar Face explores how seeking God changed the lives of biblical characters and how it can change our lives, as well. My book includes my own personal story of what seeking God has meant to my life. Sometimes, my journey of seeking has been joyful and exciting (and somewhat humorous). At other times, honestly, it has been a bit painful. But at all times, seeking God has been worthwhile.
I wrote Seeking a Familiar Face because I don’t want anyone to miss a single blessing God has in store for them. No one has to feel distant from God, like I did. No one has to suffer that kind of growing emptiness and quiet desperation in their soul. God wants so much more for our lives than that. But we will not find the life we could have, unless we are seeking Him.
Q: Share a little about your testimony.
A: I grew up in the great state of Alabama, in the very heart of the South—in church every Sunday and out of touch with God. Instead, I focused on the rules: all that I should do (a long, ever-changing list). I focused on myself: being happy, having good times, hanging out with friends, but it was never enough. I married my best friend, Mike, and yet it was still not enough. Gingerly, I slipped down the spiral of frustration toward the pit of bitterness thinking, “I deserve so much more.” And then one day, I did get more. I had a two year old and then, have mercy, twin boys. My goal of a fun life evaporated quickly in the presence of dirty diapers and forced insomnia. Those rules I grew up revering seemed pretty unimportant. I was barely surviving. I loved my family too much to leave, so I stayed and was miserable--lucky them.
This crisis finally drove me to reach out to God, because obviously, I had missed something with Him—the joy of connection. I started spending small amounts of time with God at first, doing little things to reach out. I began seeking to know Him, rather than to just know about Him. I quickly learned that seeking God isn’t a random side trip—it is a lifelong journey, an active search for something more. This was new for me, and it changed me. Now, seemingly overnight, my children are grown. Thankfully, seeking God changed my attitude and outlook before I totally ruined their childhood. God helped me handle the stress of all those babies, and He gave me a deep love for each one. Today, the Lord is still taking me on adventures, involving me in several different ministries, speaking, and writing. He has given my life purpose and meaning, and I’ll always be grateful that I encountered the joy of seeking and finding Him.
A: Although seeking God is mentioned over 50 times in the Bible, I think many Christians neglect doing it as a practice—I sure did—and it caused my soul to suffer. Outwardly, I tried to do all the “right” things, but inwardly I felt really far away from God. This left me with a growing sense of emptiness in my heart—a sort of quiet loss of hope. It caused me to focus on my problems and myself way too much, which only left me feeling emptier.
Some of the people in the Bible felt the same way. Most had difficulties. Some felt stuck. Others were depressed or afraid. And some just wanted to get closer to God. Seeking a Familiar Face explores how seeking God changed the lives of biblical characters and how it can change our lives, as well. My book includes my own personal story of what seeking God has meant to my life. Sometimes, my journey of seeking has been joyful and exciting (and somewhat humorous). At other times, honestly, it has been a bit painful. But at all times, seeking God has been worthwhile.
I wrote Seeking a Familiar Face because I don’t want anyone to miss a single blessing God has in store for them. No one has to feel distant from God, like I did. No one has to suffer that kind of growing emptiness and quiet desperation in their soul. God wants so much more for our lives than that. But we will not find the life we could have, unless we are seeking Him.
Q: Share a little about your testimony.
A: I grew up in the great state of Alabama, in the very heart of the South—in church every Sunday and out of touch with God. Instead, I focused on the rules: all that I should do (a long, ever-changing list). I focused on myself: being happy, having good times, hanging out with friends, but it was never enough. I married my best friend, Mike, and yet it was still not enough. Gingerly, I slipped down the spiral of frustration toward the pit of bitterness thinking, “I deserve so much more.” And then one day, I did get more. I had a two year old and then, have mercy, twin boys. My goal of a fun life evaporated quickly in the presence of dirty diapers and forced insomnia. Those rules I grew up revering seemed pretty unimportant. I was barely surviving. I loved my family too much to leave, so I stayed and was miserable--lucky them.
This crisis finally drove me to reach out to God, because obviously, I had missed something with Him—the joy of connection. I started spending small amounts of time with God at first, doing little things to reach out. I began seeking to know Him, rather than to just know about Him. I quickly learned that seeking God isn’t a random side trip—it is a lifelong journey, an active search for something more. This was new for me, and it changed me. Now, seemingly overnight, my children are grown. Thankfully, seeking God changed my attitude and outlook before I totally ruined their childhood. God helped me handle the stress of all those babies, and He gave me a deep love for each one. Today, the Lord is still taking me on adventures, involving me in several different ministries, speaking, and writing. He has given my life purpose and meaning, and I’ll always be grateful that I encountered the joy of seeking and finding Him.
Q: You write first-person accounts of several characters in the Bible in this book. Why did you decide to do that?
A: I wanted it to seem like the characters are speaking directly to readers. Each character has a fascinating story to tell about seeking. I based these narratives on Scripture, but I also used some artistic liberty to show that they were real people just like you or me. I hope as people read they will think, “I’ve felt just like that before.” Or “I could do that, too.” Since we identify strongly with characters, I tried to bring each character in my book to life. Stories about real people inspire us in a way that makes us remember.
Q: What would you tell people who are dealing with frustration or self-pity in their lives?
A: I understand where you are. I’ve been there. Sometimes, I still go there. But the best thing I’ve learned about dealing with those kinds of debilitating feelings is that we don’t have to stay there. Connecting with God over and over can lead us out of despair. In fact, I have written an entire chapter on how Moses stepped out of despair by seeking God’s glory. I identify 3 “stairs” of God’s glory that can lead us from despair to hope. When I’m feeling down, these stairs have really helped me. And while seeking God’s glory is not an instant fix, I’ve found it to be a sure one.
Q: You list some practical steps in the book about how to seek God. What are some of those?
A: Since seeking the Lord can seem a little vague, I define the goal of seeking upfront for readers: we seek to know God more fully and intimately. We reach out to the Lord to deepen our relationship. We seek to learn how to enjoy the Lord—and to experience His presence. I’ve included practical steps such as placing a picture that reminds you of God’s love on the fridge, or designating a “seeking place” in your home. Each chapter has discussion questions, journal ideas, related Scriptures, and other practical steps. Of course, seeking God also includes some things that readers might already be doing such as worship and prayer, partnering with God in serving and loving others, or studying God’s character. My book gives a fresh take on all of these things. I want to give readers a sense of purpose in steps they may already be taking.
And while Seeking a Familiar Face provides practical ideas, it also provides abundant encouragement. I think we all need that. Seeking God, especially in difficult times, can be hard to do. There are so many distractions, nowadays. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed with responsibility or pain. I’d like to encourage readers to push past these things. I hope to inspire them to go farther in their journey toward connecting with God than ever before.
Q: What is the most important thing you have learned in your journey with God?
A: I’ve learned that transformation occurs near the heart of God—it doesn’t happen long distance. I’ve learned that connecting with the Lord lifts me up and brings me joy like nothing else can. I often feel God’s presence as I seek Him—I can’t explain that, but it helps me. I’ve learned that the more I seek God, the more I discover about who He is and who I am. Intimacy with God has radically changed my attitude, dreams, and goals—my entire life. I realize that I could have missed this. I could have wasted my whole life feeling distant from God and empty. By seeking, I’ve found a loving God who I now realize has been seeking to connect with me, all along.
A: I wanted it to seem like the characters are speaking directly to readers. Each character has a fascinating story to tell about seeking. I based these narratives on Scripture, but I also used some artistic liberty to show that they were real people just like you or me. I hope as people read they will think, “I’ve felt just like that before.” Or “I could do that, too.” Since we identify strongly with characters, I tried to bring each character in my book to life. Stories about real people inspire us in a way that makes us remember.
Q: What would you tell people who are dealing with frustration or self-pity in their lives?
A: I understand where you are. I’ve been there. Sometimes, I still go there. But the best thing I’ve learned about dealing with those kinds of debilitating feelings is that we don’t have to stay there. Connecting with God over and over can lead us out of despair. In fact, I have written an entire chapter on how Moses stepped out of despair by seeking God’s glory. I identify 3 “stairs” of God’s glory that can lead us from despair to hope. When I’m feeling down, these stairs have really helped me. And while seeking God’s glory is not an instant fix, I’ve found it to be a sure one.
Q: You list some practical steps in the book about how to seek God. What are some of those?
A: Since seeking the Lord can seem a little vague, I define the goal of seeking upfront for readers: we seek to know God more fully and intimately. We reach out to the Lord to deepen our relationship. We seek to learn how to enjoy the Lord—and to experience His presence. I’ve included practical steps such as placing a picture that reminds you of God’s love on the fridge, or designating a “seeking place” in your home. Each chapter has discussion questions, journal ideas, related Scriptures, and other practical steps. Of course, seeking God also includes some things that readers might already be doing such as worship and prayer, partnering with God in serving and loving others, or studying God’s character. My book gives a fresh take on all of these things. I want to give readers a sense of purpose in steps they may already be taking.
And while Seeking a Familiar Face provides practical ideas, it also provides abundant encouragement. I think we all need that. Seeking God, especially in difficult times, can be hard to do. There are so many distractions, nowadays. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed with responsibility or pain. I’d like to encourage readers to push past these things. I hope to inspire them to go farther in their journey toward connecting with God than ever before.
Q: What is the most important thing you have learned in your journey with God?
A: I’ve learned that transformation occurs near the heart of God—it doesn’t happen long distance. I’ve learned that connecting with the Lord lifts me up and brings me joy like nothing else can. I often feel God’s presence as I seek Him—I can’t explain that, but it helps me. I’ve learned that the more I seek God, the more I discover about who He is and who I am. Intimacy with God has radically changed my attitude, dreams, and goals—my entire life. I realize that I could have missed this. I could have wasted my whole life feeling distant from God and empty. By seeking, I’ve found a loving God who I now realize has been seeking to connect with me, all along.
About May Patterson
May Patterson has been writing and teaching Bible study classes for years. Her new book, Seeking a Familiar Face, was birthed from a Bible study she wrote in 2014, called A Time to Seek. She was trained in small group dynamics for over 10 years at Bible Study Fellowship, serving as a leader for four years. She has written for several magazines including Focus on the Family, Upper Room Magazine and Shattered Magazine, among others. She received a degree in marketing from Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. She resides with her husband of 30+ years, Mike, in Huntsville, Alabama. They have three grown children. For more information, visit www.maypatterson.com.