If religion has hurt you, that hurt came from humanactions—not from God.

People may use God’s name to justify rejection, shame, orcruelty, but claiming to speak for God does not make their actions faithful toJesus’ teachings.

In this episode of Created by God to Be…, I exploreMatthew 11:28–30 and Jesus’ invitation to the weary and burdened: come and findrest. Jesus offers love and gentleness. When people act cruelly in the name offaith, they misrepresent that welcome and must take responsibility for the harmthey cause.

For LGBTQ+ people—and anyone made to feel unwelcome—this isan honest, hopeful conversation about acknowledging religious hurt whilerecognizing that human rejection does not mean God has rejected you.

Join me, April Snow, as we make room for healing andrediscover the welcoming heart of Christ.

If this episode speaks to you, please share it with someonewho needs encouragement.

Keep becoming the person God created you to be.

Who is my neighbor—and does my love reach beyond the peoplewho look, believe, or live like me?

In Episode 9 of Created by God to Be…, I explore the GoodSamaritan in Luke 10:25–37 alongside Jesus’ call in Matthew 22:34–40 to loveour neighbors as ourselves.

Loving our neighbors means crossing the boundaries societyhas created. It means refusing to diminish anyone because their identity orlife does not fit our expectations. I share how the treatment of transgenderpeople touches me personally, and why everyone deserves compassion, dignity,and belonging.

Whatever others may call “normal,” their judgments do notdefine your worth. You do not have to become someone else to deserve love.

Join me as we consider how to become neighbors who turncompassion into action. If this episode speaks to you, please share it withsomeone who needs encouragement.

In John 4:4–30, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman beside a well. Society may have judged her because of her identity, history, and relationships—but Jesus does not shame or condemn her. He listens, answers her questions, treats her with dignity, and recognizes the gifts already within her.

This episode offers an affirming message for LGBTQ+ people and anyone who has felt judged or rejected: You do not have to erase your identity, hide the person you were created to be, or become someone else before approaching God. You are already known, welcomed, and loved.

Imagine how wonderful the world would be if we treated one another with the same compassion.

If this episode is meaningful to you, please share it with someone who may need its message.

#CreatedByGodToBe #KnownNotCondemned #LGBTQFaith #ChristianInclusion #John4

Episode 7 Ruth 1:6-18

In this episode of Created by God to Be…, weexplore Ruth 1:6–18 and the powerful bond between Ruth and Naomi—a story ofloyalty, chosen family, belonging, and love that refuses to leave someonebehind. We also reflect on the changing relationship between parents and theiradult children: the pride of watching them build lives of their own, theuncertainty of wondering what comes next, and the importance of continuing tolove them even when we do not understand or agree with every choice they make. Formany LGBTQ+ people, chosen family becomes a vital source of acceptance andbelonging when relatives or religious communities reject them. Ruth’s storyreminds us that family is not defined only by blood. Family can also be foundin the people who remain beside us, honor who we are, and love us withoutconditions. Sometimes people who care deeply for one another must followdifferent paths. That does not erase the meaning of their relationship or theways they helped one another grow. Whether we stay together or part with love,each relationship can become part of the person God is helping us become. Ifthis episode is meaningful to you, please share it with someone who may need tohear that they are worthy of love, family, and belonging.

In Exodus 3:1–15, Moses is not searching for a calling. Heis simply tending his flock when an ordinary day becomes a holy interruption.

When God calls Moses to return to Egypt, his response isone many of us understand: “Who am I to go?” God does not answer by listingMoses’ qualifications. God simply promises, “I will be with you.”

In this episode, I reflect on calling, self-doubt,beginning again later in life, and trusting that God can work through peoplewho feel unprepared or unqualified. Our age, questions, past experiences, andneed to keep learning do not make us unusable. Sometimes calling begins when wepay attention, say “Here I am,” and take the next faithful step.

If this episode is meaningful to you, please share it withsomeone who may need its message.

Have you ever felt completely alone—even when other people were nearby?

In John 14:15–21, Jesus speaks to frightened disciples who sense that their lives are about to change. Into their fear and uncertainty, Jesus offers this promise: “I will not leave you orphaned.”

In Episode 5 of Created by God to Be…, we explore loneliness, isolation, belonging, and the many ways God’s presence reaches us—sometimes through prayer, sometimes through community, and often through another person who simply chooses to stay.

We also reflect on the isolation experienced by people who have been rejected or asked to hide who they are, and why human rejection is never the same as divine abandonment.

You are known.
You are loved.
You are still held.
And you do not have to make this journey alone.

If this episode is meaningful to you, please share it with someone who may need its message.

Created by God to Be… explores Scripture, faith, identity, belonging, and what it means to become the people God created us to be.

What happens when faith comes with questions—and when life leaves us wrestling with God?

In this deeply personal episode, April reflects on Jacob’s struggle in Genesis 32 and her own journey through grief, identity, doubt, and renewed faith. After losing her infant grandson Jacob—the “littlest Snowman”—she turned away from God for years. Yet even when she let go of God, God never let go of her.

Wrestling with God is not a failure of faith. Sometimes it is how faith grows deeper, how we discover who we truly are, and how we receive the courage to move forward—changed, but still held by grace.

n Episode 3 of Created by God to Be…, we explore Psalm 139:13–18 and what it means to be fully known by God—and still wonderfully made.Being wonderfully made does not mean that life always feels wonderful or that we never struggle with who we are. It means our worth begins with God’s loving knowledge of us, not with the labels, expectations, or approval of others.Join me as we reflect on identity, belonging, and the sacred truth that you are not a mistake. You are known. You are loved. And you are wonderfully made.New episodes are released every Wednesday.#WonderfullyMade #Psalm139 #CreatedByGodToBe #FaithAndIdentity #LGBTQFaith