Saturday, October 23, 2010

Spiritual Sunday "Hope"

Chalotte and Ginger host these great Spiritual Sundays. To join in just post and add your name at  http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

"When you say a situation or person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God."  Charles L. Allan 

In April 2008, something happened....triggering memories I had fought hard to forget....

I started writing.....needing to get those memories out. I wrote in the third person.....in the dark...sometimes all night.....and most of the day.  I forgot to eat....even forgot to feed the kids. I struggled with why God would let me remember when I wanted so much to forget. I ran in the hills near our home....in the rain...in the heat.....everyday......desperate to outrun the pain.. There I heard His gentle whisper....'you're stronger now.....it's time to tell.' 

More than 400 copies have sold.....it won a national book award and was one of three books that recieved an honorable mention to The Word Guild's highest award. It's in nine bookstores in the province where I live and available in five hospital libraries.  I've recieved tons of gifts, dolls, jewelry, cd's, books, notes, emails.....people telling me....my story....my words....inspired them....gave them hope....

Janet

Wow. What an awesome book! I read it in two days. I"m not a reader so for me to read it that fast it has to be good. I was reading at work on nights and I had to get up and go to another room at one point, tears were falling down my face...your book has helped me to open up and gave me so much hope! It has made a difference in my outlook on my situation. 

Lisa

I got your book yesterday afternoon...I read late into the night and this afternoon....yours is such a beautifully written book, one that resonates with me on so many levels. I loved the descriptions, felt like I was right beside you, experiencing every situation with you. At times it was hard to breathe. Other times, I was moved to tears. Many times I was frightened for your safety, touched by your endless bravery. And then I was inspired.....I found the detail of the coaching advice affirming the very processes I am currently working on in order to change my own negative belief systems. I don't believe in co-incidence, your book came to me as a message of hope.  

Wanda

.....as I read your book...hidden wounds over my own wounded past began to surface and I KNEW that I would have to deal with them. I had come such a long way (I thought). I had written books about the healing of a soul....but reading through the section covering the time with your counselor, I felt I was there and she was gently leading 'ME' out of a dark hole into the light. Your book will touch many lives....I know...it has turned my world upside down. 
 
I had kept the secrets......choosing to live with the crippling shame and fear rather than to tell.....worried what others would think.  But I learned  - He redeems everything....and uses our worst experiences to bring hope....

My daughter fiddled around and made a short video trailer for my book. It's her first attempt. Funny thing.....I won't let her read my book until she's 18. She's only 14. 

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

God is blessing your richly for doing His will.
More importantly, He is using you to bring hope and healing to others. PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!
Love you, Sarah.

Elizabeth Dianne said...

Sarah, the trailer is spellbinding--what a talent your daughter has. I would love to learn to piece together a video trailer like this. Just as she pieced these toether to make something beautiful, God pieced your life together and blessed all of us with the wholeness of you, sweet Sarah.

Loving you,
Dianne

Joan Hall said...

Your daughter did a wonderful job with the trailer - as Dianne said, she is very talented.

I'm so thankful you have chosen to share your story - you are an inspiration to many.

Denise said...

Your daughter did an amazingly awesome job on the video.

Saleslady371 said...

You bring me hope every time I visit you. Thank you. I really like the quote you begin with.

Wanda's Wings said...

I understand not letting your daughter read the book until she is 18. She does good work for only being 14. You must be so proud. Remembering the past can be so dreadfully painful, but so much part of healing. Thank you for being obedient to the Lord and sharing your story. God bless you always. Wanda

Ruth said...

Dearest Sarah... thank you for your sweet comment earlier today. I just love coming here... you posts always inspire me.

I can't wait to hunt down this book and read it... pray i find it here in India...:)

Hugs,
Ruth

Peggy said...

Blessings Sarah...look what the gentle wind brought in... so good to be able to come and exchange a visit with you after my intermittent breaks and trips and reconnecting! You daughter did extremely well!!! Your book definitely has changed lives and spoken HOPE to many! I am so thankful that God is redeeming the value and that you are so wise to have your 14 yr. old daughter wait! As you took the time to lay out all your pain in words, God turned it around for good and a time of healing not just for others but for you. Each thread that unraveled from your brokenness and shattered heart brought triumph into such tragedy that no one should have to go through but many do and God restores!

I'm so glad that it has opened so many doors and is having such profound impact! You go girl!!!

Love & peace,
Peggy

Cindy Adkins said...

You have touched so many lives--and will touch so many more by having the courage to tell your story...And the dream was exactly what you were going through..isn't it amazing...especially about the fear of not letting the neighbors know....and now your book has given you a "voice" as you touch others and change their lives--you made a triumph from a tragedy...your life's wounds were a balm for others....you are an amazing woman...Love,
Cindy

Ginny Hartzler said...

God can use anything to his glory. Your daughter has talented potentisl. Does she know your story, but just cannot read the book yet? You are an amazing family.

Anonymous said...

The day I begin earning, I am buying your book! I have been very impressed by your book website! I'll remember what I said here. Tight BIG fAt hug!

p.s. the daughter did a beautiful job at 14!!

Make a Joyful Noise all ye Lands said...

Sarah,
Thank you for your sweet words on my blog today. Your daughter is very talented. You are truly amazing. Thank you for sharing.

In Christ,
Virginia

RCUBEs said...

Hi sister. What an awesome video your daughter did...So talented.

I used to love reading but haven't had much time. When I got your book, I read it in a day or two...I was just glued and was rushing the events as they unfolded, knowing His restoration and healing came your way. It is truly a powerful testimony of His love, grace, mercy...Yours is the story written with love by the Author of Life. May many more come to know the Lord as they hear or read about your testimony. God bless you and protect you sister Nikki.

Lisa notes... said...

God’s timing was right for you to tell when you did. Such blessings you’ve spread to others and hopefully have received for yourself. You are so brave.

Your daughter did a great job with the trailer!

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

WOW!Tell your daughter she did a wonderful job. It looks like she is a pro. I was just talking about your book today to a customer of mine. She is a counselor for drugs and alcohol, she is interested in reading your book. I will give her this web page.
God Bless,
Ginger

Susan said...

Wonderful!!!! satan loves the darkness, and lives in the darkness. Glad you were able to bring your story to the light where God's healing and restoration is and along the way help not only yourself but so many others. That's God's way.

Joe Todd said...

Video is very well done. You will probably never know how many people you have helped. Hugs and Blessings

Sue said...

Sara, Your daughter did an amazing job with her video, please tell her.

While reading this post I was thinking 'For such a time as this". You may never know this side of heaven the lives that have been changed as a result of you being obedient to God in writing and sharing your story.
How blessed I am to have met you.
Hugs,
Sue

Mevely317 said...

Wonderful ... this trailer is so engaging!
I particularly like your opening quote by Mr. Allen.
Have a great day!

Unknown said...

She's only 14??? Wow! She has a fabulous future ahead ...

Have a beautiful day ~
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Merana Leigh said...

Part of me wants to read this book, but the other emotionally abused part of me feels it may not be the best thing for me. All I do know, is that I am thankful that you listened when He told you it was time to share your story. To say I'm proud of you for doing it, seems trite. However, I'm thankful that you took the step in trusting & obeying what God has asked you to do. To know that your words bring hope, freedom, inspiration, and encouragement to those hurting & overwhelmed is a rewarding thing. And it proves that good DOES come out of evil. Would I have given anything for you never to have lived what you have? Most certainly! But the evil that is of this world IS overcome by His grace. And your life is a remarkable testament of just that! So much love & hugs to you, dear friend ~ Merana

Anonymous said...

Sarah,
Thank you for your inspiration. God is the Victor, the Healer, Savior, Almighty God. And..
He's the Lover of our souls.

Rosie Nixon Fluerty said...

I pray that the Lord will use your book to help others in similar situations.

Musings of A Minister said...

Another great post, as always. Your daughter is gifted. Keep on keeping on. You are blessing the lives of many and giving them hope.

Charlotte said...

I love the way God is using you to inspire and give hope to so many other people. I'm so happy to be a little part of your life here on Spiritual Sundays and facebook. Your daughter did a wonderful job with the video. I know she is proud of her mother. Thank you for sharing each week with us.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Wow, God is using your story! So happy for you!

Lisa said...

Sarah,
You bring more hope and encouragement to people than you'll ever know (this side of Heaven). Thank you for your faithfulness and willingness to trust us with your story.

Manda said...

Hi Sarah,

You wrote a book? I didn't know that! That's awesome. God is working wonders in your life. Do you like to write or was this just something theraptic for you? Me, I love to write, mostly poems, but right now I am working on writing a book about my faith journey. I can only hope to be half a successful as you were.

Thanks for sharing,
Hugs with Blessings,
Amanda

Jocelyn said...

Thanks for sharing your story.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Dena E's Blog said...

You,, my Sweet Sis are such a blessing
to us all!!!
And in beginning your new week,,
A prayer for you~~~
As you seek God first,, May the light of Jesus Christ continue to shine through you, blessing you in all that you do!!! Hugs Dena

Cathy said...

Wow, that is wonderful, Sarah. Your daughter did a great job with the video too. Blessings ~

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

God brings great things out of broken things. It's awesome that God is using your story to help others.

Annesphamily said...

God is keeping you so close. He is amazing loving you and showing you how to come past some of the sadness that shadowed you in your life. He is one amazing Maker and Master and I am grateful that I knwo you and You and I both know Him. Anne