What happens when we are fully seen and fully loved?

In this week’s episode of Life-Changing Fiction, we explore a story that powerfully reminds us of a core Gospel truth: Jesus will always love you and accept you. Not the curated version of you. Not the healed version of you. You, as you are.

So many of us live in quiet fear that if others truly knew the deepest parts of us—our wounds, failures, and scars—we would be rejected. This story directly explores that fear.

Catherine knows who she is from the beginning. She is grounded, honest, and willing to face reality, even when it costs her the life she thought she wanted.

Loftus, on the other hand, has spent his life shut off from others. Rejected because of who he is and marked by visible physical scars, he has been told again and again that he is unwanted.

And yet, Catherine sees him.

Her treatment of Loftus mirrors how Christ calls us to love. Through her love, Loftus begins to understand that he is worthy of love.

This story and podcast episode explore:

• Belonging: What it means to be known and chosen

• Facing our scars: Emotional, physical, and spiritual wounds

• Trust: A foundational element of healing

• Surrender: When the life we didn’t choose becomes the path to beauty

• Marriage centered on Christ: A threefold cord not easily broken

• True Christian fiction: Where Christ, not the hero or heroine, is the Savior

As this story beautifully demonstrates, true Christian romance doesn’t ask another person to complete us. Our acceptance is found in Jesus alone. Love between characters becomes transformative because it flows from Christ, not instead of Him.

Interested in reading more stories like this?
👉 Explore Jackie’s books here: https://jackiekillelea.weebly.com/

Connect with Jackie on Instagram

Connect with McKenna:

Instagram

mckennakyllo.com

Join My Newsletter for Weekly Updates

What does it look like when God pursues His children personally and uniquely?

In this episode of Life-Changing Fiction, I’m joined by author and reader Joanna K. Harris to discuss The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White, a story that explores how God knows us intimately and speaks to us in ways we can understand.

We dive into how the novel’s two main characters understand God (as well as the world) differently: Margot through numbers and logic, and Drake through questions and impressions, and what that reveals about how God interacts with each of us as individuals.

We also wrestle with harder questions:
What do we do when God feels silent?
What happens when our strengths are tested and no longer enough?
How do justice and mercy work together in a broken world?

If you’ve ever wondered whether God really sees you, knows you, or understands what you need, this episode is for you.

We discuss:

• How God chooses to love and pursue us personally

• Why God speaks differently to different people

• Margot (numbers) vs. Drake (questions) and what that symbolizes

• What to do when God feels silent, and why He still isn’t absent

• When strengths fail and faith must deepen

• Justice and mercy

• Why small, faithful acts of love truly matter

• The joy of being fully known by God

Scripture Referenced:
1 John 3:18 — “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Visit https://gracepossible.com/ to learn more about Joanna’s work and writing.

🎧 If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe to Life Changing Fiction and share it with someone who needs the reminder that God still speaks.

Connect with McKenna:

https://mckennakyllo.com

Newsletter

Finding God in Fiction

In this episode of Life-Changing Fiction, I’m joined by bookstagrammer Megan Robertson (@robertson.reads) to discuss When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer. This is a powerful story that invites readers to wrestle with choice, free will, and the sovereignty of God.

At the heart of this novel is Libby’s reality: living two lives and being forced to choose between them. As we explore her journey, we talk about how the book reflects the very real tension we all feel between our day-to-day decisions and the life-altering choices that shape our future.

We discuss how When the Day Comes portrays God’s sovereignty as something good, purposeful, and trustworthy.

This conversation also looks at:

• How fiction helps us reflect on our own past choices

• Why looking back can help us move forward in trust

• Wrestling with purpose, calling, and obedience

• The beauty that can come from pain and sacrifice

• Learning to trust God when the “fire” comes

• Freedom, faith, and surrender in the Christian life

We also reflect on the truth of Proverbs 16:9 (KJV):

“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.”

Grab Your Free Ebook, Finding God in Fiction Here

McKenna's Website

McKenna's Instagram

Connect with Meagan:

Instagram

YouTube

Welcome to the very first episode of Life-Changing Fiction

In this solo introduction, McKenna shares the heart behind the show, why fiction has played such a formative role in her own walk with Jesus, and what you can expect from upcoming conversations with authors and readers.

Free Resource Mentioned in This Episode:

Free Guide: Finding God Through Fiction

Grab your copy here:

https://mckenna-kyllo-1.kit.com/ea635872eb

Connect With McKenna

Website: mckennakyllo.com
Instagram: @mckennakyllobooks
Newsletter: https://mckenna-kyllo-1.kit.com/475efa56dd

If You Loved This Episode…

Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who loves meaningful stories. Your support helps this podcast reach more readers who long for depth, beauty, and truth in fiction.