Sarah focuses on helping the “fatherless.” She was a child of divorce not just once at 4 years old, but also at 22. Instead of thinking that she had figured it out the first time and that it would be easier the next, that wasn’t the case. In fact, she compares divorce to a nuclear bomb going off in a family. Not only does a nuclear bomb affect the immediate, but it also affects decades later.
Sarah grew up in a small town with parents that were like the Barbie and Ken of their high-school class so when they were getting a divorce, it seemed like a huge scandal. It was hard on the family, but her in laws (also experienced divorce) were empathetic and allowed her family to live in the house for a short time before her mom got their family a new place to stay.
As a 10-year-old (oldest child), Sarah couldn’t be a kid and was forced with adult responsibilities and work. Along with this burden, she had to experience even more changes when her mom got remarried after being single for 9 years. Then, she left a private Christian school to attend a much bigger public school. Though some kids can handle this, she couldn’t. This was hard on her, but at least she had her Church and a best friend, until her friend moved away. Sarah was devastated! Can you put yourself in her shoes and think how you would feel as a young kid with a broken home and changes all around?
All these experiences seemed to be a weight that added to a burden that she carried around which developed into suicidal thoughts. There is good news to her story so let’s go back 2 months earlier when she was listening to Dr. Charles Stanley (Christian pastor). For that past 3 years she had listened to him and on this particular day, she felt the Holy Spirit calling her. She decided to go downstairs, kneeled down and asked Jesus to come into her heart. At that moment she felt God’s presence! She had become a true Jesus follower.
Even though she had been experiencing depression and thoughts to take her own life, she was able to recognize God’s voice in that moment. God told her that He didn’t want her to think these thoughts anymore.
My Advice
For 2022 make it your goal to give God 2 minutes a day sitting at his feet thinking about His word and you will be a completely different person in 2023 if you do that. You can watch and listen to her say this in minute marker 49:20 from above.
Love your advice and have followed you on social media for a long time! Appreciate your talent as a writer, your heart for people, and your transparency. Thank you for sharing your story. Too often we shy away from the hard stuff.
Thank you Peggy! Christmas blessings to you.
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Sarah. I’m sorry for the pain of abandonment you felt as a teen after your parent’s divorce, and after your friend moved away. I’m thankful for your story and am reminded that healing comes from many different sources including counseling, being in community, and especially spending time in His Word. I have to come up with my verse for 2022 – great idea! My word for the year is Hope, so it will have something to do with hope.
You give so much, in so many different ways, and you are making a big impact. Thank you! May God bless your life and your ministry in 2022!
Blessings to you, Darci! Praying that the Lord will guide your choice for a 2022 meditation verse.
Sarah, I’m thankful that you’ve shared your story with us on Check Your Game. It’s humbling to have you and others be so transparent in order to encourage others; especially with our God’s stories. Looking forward to staying in touch and helping you if I’m able. Thanks again.
Thanks for graciously hosting me, Gary! God’s blessings to you.