Joanne Bischof Interview by Carrie Pagels

Joanne Bischof

Joanne Bischof is the author of Be Still My Soul, the first book in the Cadence of Grace Series.

Joanne Bischof, welcome to Overcoming Through Time – With God’s Help.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers. 

Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?
I have been on the road that is the process of learning to trust in God’s plan even when a path He calls us to, seems impossible. Positively impossible. During one such season in my life, I cried out to God countless times. Cried out that He asked too much of me. It wasn’t until I surrendered my will—and what all my hopes and dreams for the future had been—that I was finally able to see that though I never would have chosen to walk where He had placed me, walk I must, and I would not be alone. I think many of us have experienced at one time or another, the moment of being uprooted from all that we knew as normal and placed at the edge of a heartbreaking newness that overwhelms in such a way that it is only by clinging to the garments of the Lord, hanging on His words, and trusting that if we walk by faith, He will see us through the fire. It’s an ongoing journey, but as His promises unfold, the bitter lessens, and the sweet grows.

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

One of my favorite verses is Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

This verse brings such comfort. It reminds me of the truth that God never leaves our side. He is always with us. There is no need to be afraid, even in times of doubt and trouble, His promises always ring true.

Though My Heart Is Torn

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print?  

At this moment, I don’t have any books in audio format, but the large print version of Be Still My Soul is in the works.

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?

The most important thing I hope readers get from my books is a picture of the many facets of love. This picture is at times sweet, at times rough. At times it is bold and at times it is quiet. But the truth is that love is redemptive—as in the life of Gideon. Love is also a comfort—as with Lonnie who clung to the promise that His eye is on the sparrow.

As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

One thing that comes to mind is while researching for this story, I learned about the midwife who worked in the region, during the time Be Still My Soul is set. The midwife’s name was Orelean Puckett, also known as “Aunt Orlean,” and though she delivered babies in the hollows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, she gave birth to, and buried, 24 of her own children. My heart broke for her loss and heartache and I was left amazed by her strength and willingness to be a servant to bring the little lives into the world that she did for the women in the Rocky Knob region. It is a beautiful and gracious act and I can only imagine what kind of woman she was.

Be Still My Soul

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  

What comes to mind, is the heroine of Be Still My Soul, Lonnie, grew up in an abusive home. Through a shotgun wedding to the hero, Gideon, she trades one bad situation for another as he is an alcoholic. Lonnie truly finds herself stuck between a rock and a hard place; her past has been filled with sorrow, yet her future of being married to a man who doesn’t love her, seems no brighter.

She clings to her faith during this time, and the promise that the Lord’s eye is on the sparrow. At times, though, she feels small, unimportant, and alone. But she is never alone and God holds her in the palm of His hand. Through His mighty work and Lonnie listening to the Lord’s calling to love Gideon even though it’s hard, Gideon begins to understand this God she loves. He begins to cherish the woman who is by his side, realizing that he is far from deserving her, but filled with the desire to spend the rest of his days striving to be a man worthy of her.

Thank you Joanne for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!

Thank you so much for having me, ladies!

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GIVEAWAY: Joanne is offering a book for giveaway! We will also be offering a second giveaway this week from OWG of choice of either of Joanne's books, choice of format.

QUESTION: Do you have an unspoken request that you'd like us to pray for?