A Christmas for the Rest of Us. Holidays After Deconstructing.

Have you been called a Prodigal, and told that if you just repent all will be forgiven?

Perhaps you’ve been told that, “Sure, you’re saying you’re gay or transgender—or that you are affirming your LGBTQ+ child--or whatever it is—but one day you’ll repent and then we will “graciously” let you back in the fold!”

Uh yeah, no thank you. 

Few stories are as misused and misunderstood as the Prodigal.

Our goal is to have you forever see this from a different point of view and, in this episode, we give you the backstory—so you never have to be abused by the Prodigal story again. 

The story of the prodigal has been misunderstood and abused to harm and shame people.

In this very special, powerful episode, we give you a profound, eye-opening retelling of this classic Biblical story about the prodigal – but this time as a transgender woman

And she is certainly not the one who repents.

This will forever change how you view this story!

When you begin to deconstruct everything you have believed, you begin to wonder who you are.
 
You’re left wondering: how do I view the world now?
 
It’s like someone healing from ongoing abuse, and they don’t really know who they are without it—if they’re not an abuse-survivor, who are they?
 
If you’re not a “Christian,” who are you?
 
It’s a big question for so many. 

We hear from Christian parents every single day. 

Many give reasons why they just will not support, accept, affirm their LGBTQ+ child. Usually because of their interpretation of the Bible and what their pastors have told them to do.

Today we share an email and our answer to a Mom about why parents absolutely MUST support, accept and affirm their LGBTQ+ child.
 
It is indeed the Christian thing to do. 

We have an amazing capacity to normalize things that can be unbearably painful.
 
It’s a great survival skill. It really does help us survive unimaginable circumstances. But it’s NOT a great thriving skill. Once you’re past the danger, once you survive, you need a new pattern to thrive.
 
And you need to know that trauma, those unbearable, dysfunctional family issues – especially those surrounding you living your authentic life, or you supporting your LGBTQ+ child, are not your fault.

Beloved, it's NOT your fault!

We are not huge fans of New Year’s resolutions.  Kind of feels like setting yourself up to fail. I understand the power of motivation and commitment, setting a goal, pushing yourself – but somehow this feels different.
 
So, instead of New Year’s resolutions – we are doing New Year’s revolutions! 
 
We give you 7 things to stop and 7 things to start that can be life-changing, revolutionary for your life.

The anti-gay church has done a lot of damage as it is a system that was built on exclusion.

So, if we find ourselves excluded for whatever reason, we take a lot of baggage with us – false teachings, shame, guilt, cult-like programming.

One huge piece of baggage is doubt – wondering if we really are right about all of this. About LGBTQ+. About deconstruction.

This is an important episode for our hearts, our peace, our mental and physical health. It will help free our hearts to love and be loved. 

I have tiny babies in my life now – my grandchildren. I love them – as they are, for who they are. Unconditionally. They don’t have to do anything to earn that.  And they never, ever will.

As we grow up, sometimes parents do and say hurtful things and withhold the love and acceptance you deserve. You don’t, and never did deserve that.

So, today I want to give you a gift, just from me, and talk to that tiny child in you through a beautiful story - a picture of God as Mother, and you as the child.

Beloved, your heart so deserves this. 

Love, Susan

After you have deconstructed, Christmas becomes an interesting season doesn’t it? Our view of God has expanded, our faith has expanded.

In this beautiful, very special holiday episode, we share three stories - one from Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple; one from Sandra Cisneros; and a unique retelling of the Biblical story for us outliers, the rest of us.

I hope these unwrap the way we see and celebrate this Christmas and holiday season. 

It is about reconstructing Christmas in the midst of a deconstructing faith.

Celebrating for the rest of us. 

Have you been uninvited to a holiday or family gathering?  Yeah, us too.

And honestly, is that kind of event the last place you would want to be because of things that are said or just because of how you are made to feel? 

We are right in the middle of the holiday season, and all the family issues and triggers that can bring.

So, let’s talk about how to navigate difficult family situations, and also about options for when you can’t, or don’t want to go home for the holidays.