All tagged Christian living

Find Your Can

Find Your Can

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

A question that I receive often is, “What does a normal day consist of for you and your guide dog?”

On an average morning, we are dropped off downtown where we will usually run by the coffee shop or head to my office to start working.

Work for my ministry usually consists of writing a blog or devotion, rehearsing a speech, conducting a Bible study, or having an encouragement session with someone either in person or over the phone.

All of which Jackson does not find too exciting, so he will settle in for a nap.

Throughout the day, Jackson and I may visit one of the local shops or grab a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant.

Am I Following God's Will?

Am I Following God's Will?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

Confession time!

It can be difficult for me to take the advice of others. In fact, sometimes I will even seek out affirmation over advice because I know it will be much easier to swallow.

My mom may critique an outfit down to the color of the thread if I ask her opinion, whereas it can be easier to just ask my husband who will always say, ”You look great, honey!”

If I send a blog post for revision to my editor, Erica, she will probably knit-pick it to death, whereas someone else would say, “This is great work!”

You get my point, it can seem easier and better for our ego to ask for advice from someone who will agree with what we have already decided, but this way of thinking doesn’t always lead to the best outcome.

Have I Lost My Purpose?

Have I Lost My Purpose?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

What was the hardest part about losing my sight suddenly at age 20?

There were so many challenges that accompanied the unexpected tragedy which occurred over 6 years ago.

Some of these hardships included losing my independence, having to adjust to a new way of living and engaging with the world, and enduring the frustrating search to find my purpose as someone with a disability.

Losing sight of my way, my plans for the future, and the purpose I thought I had for my life would be one of the hardest things I had to face.

At the time of my sight loss in 2015, I was on track to graduate college the following year, pursue a graduate degree, and begin a career in the field of Psychology.

In the blink of an eye, all of that disappeared and I no longer had a plan for what my life would be ten years down the road, let alone 10 months, weeks, or even days in the future.

Is My Life More Than A Tragedy?

Is My Life More Than A Tragedy?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

My trip to Leader Dogs for the Blind in Michigan last month was a blessing for many different reasons.

The main reason, of course, is that I came back with my wonderful guide dog Jackson. He is such a gentleman and has truly changed my life already.

One of the other main reasons it was such a great trip is because of all of the people that I met. There were about twelve other people in my class at Leader Dog, and everyone was from different places and backgrounds with varying ages, careers, and even ranges of vision.

No, not everyone who receives a guide dog is totally blind.

There Are No Shortcuts with God

There Are No Shortcuts with God

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

My husband, Seth, and I love to hike.

We aren’t professional outdoorsmen by any means and won’t be tackling the Appalachian Trail any time soon, but we do enjoy an afternoon spent meandering through God’s beautiful creation.

On a recent long weekend, we drove to Berry College, where our goal was to hike to the House of Dreams. The charming cottage sits atop Lavender Mountain, 1,360 feet above sea level, and is surrounded by vibrant gardens and foliage and spectacular views of the campus and city of Rome, Georgia far below.

The House of Dreams was built as a gift for Martha Berry, the founder of Berry College, in 1922 by students and faculty.

It was meant to be somewhat of a retreat for her, and we were looking forward to having a peaceful retreat of our own into the mountains.

What it Means to Live for Christ

What it Means to Live for Christ

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

Have you ever had to completely start over?

Maybe you moved to a new town, started a new job, or transferred to a new school.

Whatever the situation may be, when you are learning to live in a new place, literally or figuratively, it can be unfamiliar, unsettling, and scary.

When I lost my sight six years ago, I felt like I was having to start my life from scratch in more ways than one.

First, there was the obvious way in which I had to learn to live again…figuring out how to do everything without my sight.

To say it was challenging would be an understatement, and to say that I have learned everything there is to know about living with blindness would be untrue.