Shattered Expectations
Deb McQuilkin
Studies show that the loss of a spouse, whether through divorce or death is one of the most devastating losses a human can experience. Our podcast guest, Deb McQuilkin, knows the unspeakable grief of the loss of a husband through an unwanted divorce and the sorrow of losing a beloved husband through death. Perhaps these losses are why Deb feels such a kinship with Naomi whose story we find in the Bible in the book of Ruth. In this conversation with Sharon Betters, Deb invites us to consider our own shattered dreams, difficult relationships, and practical needs and learn through Naomi’s responses to loss.
Deb knows all about long distance grandparenting as she travels from her home in Australia to the US to spend time with grandchildren on both continents. Deb is not only an author, but before retirement and her move to Australia, she was an Associate Professor at the University of South Carolina in Health Systems Administration focusing on capacity building in global health. Before her husband, Robertson’s death, she ministered with him worldwide.
Deb McQuilkin is a widow, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, and stepmother of adult children. With grandchildren on two continents, she lives in Australia and travels back to the USA. From this perspective, Naomi: Reason to Hope became a lived experience. Prior to her retirement and moving to Australia, she was an Associate Professor at the University of South Carolina in Health Systems Administration focusing on capacity building in global health. Her husband Robertson McQuilkin, President Emeritus at Columbia International University, died in 2016. Together they ministered worldwide to missions and the Christian community. Deb has published James: An Inductive Approach and multiple articles. She leads women’s Bible studies, facilitates Grief Share courses, and encourages missions wherever possible.
