Sarah G.

July 7, 2024 by Gabriela YarelizProfiles, Uncategorized

Today, Sarah speaks to us about healing from postpartum depression, her devotional (find the link here), and spiritual core strength.

Tell us a bit about how you grew up and your childhood: I have the most courageous mom. Life as a single mom with six girls was not easy. After my parents divorced, my mom trucked us from New York to Wyoming, seeking a safe abode to raise her girls. I was the fifth girl of the six and eight at the time. Even though this was a blessing in disguise, we girls didn’t realize it then. For me, it was traumatizing to lose my dad and move to what felt like a foreign country. Yet, my mom knew it was the best for us. The years after that were turbulent, but one thing we always knew was that our mom loved us. She’d always teach us right from wrong and lead us to Jesus.

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: “But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and are saved.” Hebrews 10:39. I never want to shrink from what God calls me to do. I want to live in faith and courage, persevere, and run the race until the end.

“I never want to shrink from what God calls me to do. I want to live in faith and courage, persevere, and run the race until the end.”

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: I help women overcome defeat through small steps so they can live confidently and trust change is possible by God’s grace. My spiritual growth focus is how God uses our small steps to help us overcome defeat and lean into all the areas he calls us to grow. I shared a devotional on this in January (link here).

Profession/Mission: My most important work is being a wife to my husband of twenty-six years, a mom to six children, one daughter-in-law (another one in October), and a Mimi to our first grandson. I have a Theology degree and previously co-owned a small faith-based book and gift shop. My mission is to equip young wives, moms, and women in their vocation by helping them grow in their God-given potential with small steps.

If you wrote a memoir, what would the title be? My life of overcoming defeat, overwhelm, and sadness one step at a time.

When did you first encounter God, and how did you encounter Him? I grew up “knowing” God, but I met him in my young married life as I dealt with postpartum depression. He came to me in my darkest hour, guiding me out of the pit one tiny step at a time.

How would you describe Jesus? Lover, friend, daddy…my everything. These titles describe how Jesus has revealed himself to me over the years. I think Daddy was vital to growing and healing in my young life.

How has your relationship with Him changed you? Because of Jesus, I’m a different woman in every way. I know what it feels like to be lost and then found, orphaned and then adopted, desperate and then carried because Jesus filled those empty spaces in my life. He never left me, but when I chose to meet him one tiny step at a time, my life changed.

What has been the darkest time in your life, and how did you see God in it? There’s been many dark times in my life. Depression, dealing with abandonment issues during my early years, and healing from a constant sense of defeat. But honestly, my husband and I have had four miscarriages that rocked my world. After three healthy pregnancies, it was something I did not expect. The grief was profound. I clung to Jesus and took the time I needed to heal (I’m grateful I could do that). My husband comforted me in many ways (amidst his grief). We had friends deliver flowers and food and take our older children, so we (I) had time to ourselves. Most people suffer silently from miscarriage, and while I initially didn’t want to see or talk to people, these friends were hidden in a sweet community corner, providing for our needs.

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? Trusting God with change, especially when the change is not what I expected. It’s easy to cling to our plans, hopes, and expectant future. I used to say, “We’ll never leave this house and town,” and then God tugged us in a new direction. When I release the “big picture” of my life to Him and trust His plans are better than mine, I can rest in His sweet arms.

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel And Knowing What To Do About It. I used to fear my emotions, sadness, and the ups and downs of life. I feared depression. This book was a beautiful confirmation that acknowledging, naming, crying, and bringing our emotions to God is not shameful. Instead, it is the very thing that aids us in living a wholehearted life for Christ.

Top three essentials: Tennis shoes, Scripture, journals

How did God speak to you recently? God speaks to me daily, especially on my long, silent walks. Something that continues to resonate with me is core strength. We need core strength physically, spiritually, and mentally. Everyone knows the core is essential for physical strength, but what about spiritually and mentally? Christ should be the core of our spiritual and mental lives. With him directly in the center of my life, a strong core and firm foundation are built.

“Christ should be the core of our spiritual and mental lives.”

Hobby: Writing and reading are my daily practices. Writing is a hobby (something I love) but also a necessity. I wake up early to write every morning, and I have a blog, Growth Through Small Steps, and share a blog with three of my sisters, Dandelions, Potholes, & Wrinkles: Finding Purpose In Life’s Imperfections. I love outdoor life: hiking, walking ( I used to run marathons), kayaking, and gardening. Many years ago, I planted a hundred zinnias from seed and repotted them repeatedly until it was time to plant them in the ground. I had the most stunning flower-cutting garden and went to it daily to clip and gaze at the beauty. I’ve never done that many since because it was a vast amount of work, but it blessed my soul for that summer.

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: Like the marathons I used to run, show up daily. Show up to prayer, scripture, and church and embrace being loved by God. Show up to your physical health because we are body and soul and meet God in both places. Show up to the family God has placed you in. Heal from wounds and move forward in God’s grace.

Favorite person in scripture? Outside of the most important, Jesus. His mother, Mary, inspires me beyond compare. Her courage and ability to trust God’s plan even when it was scary, dangerous, and uncertain are perfect examples of faith. She was willing to surrender her life and future to God’s eternal plan.

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? It’s possible to overcome any obstacle with God and small steps.

How do you engage with your community? As we raised (and are still raising) our six children, we’ve been blessed with a rich community of people who show up in the good and bad times. Community is essential to our family, and I schedule several monthly opportunities to reach out and connect with others. I also feel called to support younger moms (families) as I know what a difficult time it can be without support.

Favorite holiday? Easter. Living a resurrected life daily is my mission, and Easter reminds me of this mission, which is full of new life and growth.

A goal you have? Complete the book I’ve been working on about growing in small ways.

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: I love family traditions, and we have many. One of our simplest, fun, and memory-keeping traditions is playing tag at the park as a family. Typically, it is at night when it’s dark. It’s wild and intense. The most important piece is ensuring nobody else is at the park because the family is climbing, jumping, and sprinting everywhere. Everyone plays, including my husband and I. It’s a blast!

Question you will ask when you get to heaven? I saw unimaginable suffering in Haiti, and while I understand on this side of heaven, we will suffer, I want to do a deep dive with God on this topic.

Thing you want to raise awareness about: I went on a mission trip to Haiti with two of my teens in 2018. I remember driving to the slums and over what felt like mountains of trash and streets crammed with people on filthy roads. We could hardly get through. We took care of children who were rescued from trash cans. It was hard to fathom. I remember thinking, “How can this be real?” I knew this kind of poverty was possible in my head, but to see it, feel it, touch it was heartbreaking. It’s easy to live comfortably without fully understanding our hungry neighbors’ dire needs (our flight was 45 minutes from where people vacation). I’d love to draw awareness to the suffering we can’t see and can easily hide from.

What does your morning routine consist of? I love my morning routine. It’s the anchor of my day. I wake at 4:15 A.M. and spend an hour and fifteen minutes in scripture and my journals. I work out at 5:30 and then go on a prayer walk. Then I get on with the daily duties of children, home, appointments, etc.

What is on your nightstand? My nightstand contains a lamp, glasses, and lots of books. My Bible is on my living room end table, where I have my morning routine.

Define Christianity in a sentence: My kids were Classical Conversations students for several years. Their tagline: “Is to know God and make him known.” I think that sums up Christianity well.