Not That Wheel, Jesus!: Stories From a Faith That Went Off-Road in the Best (and Worst) Possible Ways

(Hardback)

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From the nationally bestselling author of Holy Hot Mess, a laugh-out-loud look at what happens when life goes a direction we didn't expect and we are forced to reconsider the beliefs, assumptions, and stories that have always steered our course.

Jesus, take the wheel.

But wait...not like that!

Mary Katherine Backstrom grew up the most basic of all youth group kids-pH level 14-and her faith only grew as she worked at churches, led youth ministry, became a missionary, and went on to become a bestselling Christian author. She knew all the practiced, perfect Sunday school answers and was driving happily down the right straight and narrow, until one day her young son asked a simple question: will my Jewish best friend go to hell

In the months and years that followed, that single question continued to snowball. MK challenged and reconsidered every part of the faith she'd been raised to accept so completely. Not That Wheel, Jesus! is Mary Katherine's hilarious journey from certainty to doubt to going nuclear on the socials ("it was my heresy era"), and then of slowly and painfully finding her way back to a different, less defined sort faith.

It's the heartfelt and achingly honest story of a faith that went off the road and crashed and burned in spectacular fashion, right before God and everybody. And then, slowly, through grace and plenty of therapy, grew richer and deeper than she ever could have imagined.

Reviews

"Not That Wheel Jesus is for every wandering soul who was once too scared to doubt, too ashamed to be authentic or too heartbroken to try and believe again. Hilarious and heartfelt, these pages are relatable. For the doubter, the believer and everyone in between, this book is for all of us."--April Ajoy, author of Star-Spangled Jesus
"Mary Katherine has a way of cutting straight through the pretension and polish to get to the messy of life's biggest questions. Anyone seeking solidarity and support on their own imperfect journey will appreciate the raw honesty relatable humor and real heart."--Annie Reneau, editor, Upworthy
"Mary Katherine Backstrom done did it again! Buckle in it's about to get a little crazy!"--Tyler Merritt, author of This Changes Everything
"Mary Katherine's words are so immediately engaging, so filled with humor so seemingly effortless that their depth and insight sneak up on you. She has a way of cutting through the flowery faade of religious-speak and allowing us to reach the unvarnished heart of what it is to live as a real human being with an authentic broken in Faith."--John Pavlovitz, author of If God is Love, Don't Be a Jerk
"With humor and heart, Mary Katherine comes to terms with the uncomfortable questions that so many of us have faced in both our lives and faith. And all while her personal life veers in directions she never imagined, her trademark candor continues to make her experiences relatable, but it is her love-fueled healing journey that will leave you feeling empowered. This book will be a salve to so many."--Kelly Cervantes, bestselling author of Normal Broken
"Backstrom (Holy Hot Mess) brings her irreverent humor to this candid, freewheeling account of deconstructing her faith and slowly building it back up... Christians seeking respite from strict spiritual absolutes will find comfort here."
--Publishers Weekly

Author Bio

Mary Katherine Backstrom is best known for her viral videos and candid writing on family, faith, and mental illness. She has been featured on Today Show, CNN, and New York Times but her friends and family are most impressed with her one-time appearance on Ellen. MK resides in Alabama with her children, two dogs, and a cat. When she isn t writing, MK is active in her church, her community, and her favorite Mexican restaurant.