All tagged Faithful

Don't Waste Your Time Worrying

Don't Waste Your Time Worrying

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

During my initial three weeks of training with my guide dog, Jackson, we had a lot of new, exciting, and sometimes scary experiences.

One that I remember most is when we were introduced to obstacles.

The trainers set up various objects along the sidewalk that were meant to block our path. Then, as a team, Jackson and I had to figure out how to work around them.

This exercise was meant to mimic a real-life scenario in which our route may become unexpectedly blocked and we would have to decide how to navigate the situation.

As Jackson and I walked along, I did not know exactly what the obstacles were or what the outcome would be, I just knew they were coming.

How to Leave the Noise and Listen to God

How to Leave the Noise and Listen to God

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

A question that I frequently get asked is how I use my iPhone without my sight. 

Thanks to Voice Over, the screen reader software on Apple devices, I can listen to a friendly electronic voice telling me what is on the screen. Using this feature with certain gestures on the touch screen, I can text, scroll through Facebook, send emails, and use my phone in much of the same way as a sighted person.

While I am very thankful for this technology, sometimes I simply crave silence. 

I realized that I had spent the twenty years of my sighted life taking the ability to sit in the quiet and read a book for granted. 

Seeking God When You're Burnt Out

Seeking God When You're Burnt Out

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

I honestly can’t believe I’m writing this, but happy May! 

This year is seriously flying by so fast, and it has been a whirlwind for me. 

Between speaking engagements, graduate school, family life, and other responsibilities, it seems as though I hardly have time to eat, breathe, or sleep! 

Can any of you relate? Are you in a season that is so busy that you simply cannot find the time to slow down?

How to Give Yourself Grace

How to Give Yourself Grace

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

The last few months of 2022 were hectic, to say the least. 

I started graduate school which completely threw off my normal routine. 

If you know anything about me, you know that following a normal schedule is especially important to me! 

With the onset of this new endeavor, I was forced to reallocate my time, and it was exceedingly difficult. 

I struggled to be available for my ministry, my personal life, and even my relationship with God. 

Seeing is Not Believing

Seeing is Not Believing

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

We all know that old idiom, “Seeing is believing.” Let’s face it, our society is pretty much based on proof, evidence, and tangible research. It can be hard for us to believe something that we have not actually seen, felt, or witnessed for ourselves, especially when that thing seems unbelievable. Take Thomas, for example. In John 20, Jesus appears to His disciples, except for Thomas, after His crucifixion and resurrection. When the disciples tell Thomas what they have seen, he does not believe them. So the other disciples tell him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he says to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20:25).

How to Turn Your Worries Over to God

How to Turn Your Worries Over to God

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

During my initial three weeks of training with my guide dog, Jackson, we had a lot of new, exciting, and sometimes scary experiences.

One that I remember most is when we were introduced to obstacles.

The trainers set up various objects along the sidewalk that were meant to block our path. Then, as a team, Jackson and I had to figure out how to work around them.

This exercise was meant to mimic a real-life scenario in which our route may become unexpectedly blocked and we would have to decide how to navigate the situation.

As Jackson and I walked along, I did not know exactly what the obstacles were or what the outcome would be, I just knew they were coming.

What is the Shield of Faith?

What is the Shield of Faith?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

Have you ever felt the truth of the saying, “When it rains, it pours”?

Sometimes, it seems as though we are stuck in a season of life where one trial follows another, and they all begin to build up until the weight of it all is crushing.

Blindness often brings upon those seasons because it impacts so many distinct aspects of my daily life.

What is the Gospel of Peace?

What is the Gospel of Peace?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:14-15, ESV)

I have been blessed to be able to travel quite a bit in my lifetime.

I love exploring new places and cultures.

All of my adventures have been so different, but each have one thing in common…a lot of walking!

While traversing a new destination, you learn just how important it is to have sturdy, reliable, and comfortable shoes on your feet. You can be as healthy and in shape as an Olympic athlete, but blisters or aching feet can bring down even the best of us and leave us missing out on precious sightseeing time!

It's Okay to Look Back

It's Okay to Look Back

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

Have you ever heard the saying, “Don’t look back, you’ll miss what’s in front of you”?

Well, I don’t completely agree with this statement.

Let me explain…

After losing my sight, my life changed drastically.

I left a lot behind as I struggled to move forward with my new circumstances, and it felt as though a lot had left me behind as well.

For a long time, I followed the advice to not look back, mostly because it was so hard to do so.

Thinking about the simplicities that came with sighted life was difficult, and as time progressed, I found it painful to remember the early days of my blindness and all of the trials that I endured

Can I Trust God When I Feel Intimidated?

Can I Trust God When I Feel Intimidated?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

Have you ever felt truly intimidated?

The motion that you are up against something much bigger than yourself is enough to leave you feeling hopeless, scared, and, in my case, quite literally shaking in my boots.

When I was a freshman in college, a couple of years before I lost my sight, I was a member of my school’s equestrian team.

At the end of that first season, to my amazement, I qualified for the biggest competition of the year…nationals. I had ridden horses since I was very young, but I had never competed at such a high level.

When I first arrived at the huge arena and saw all of the talent and athleticism around me, I’ll admit, I felt out of my element, overwhelmed, and scared. Sure, I had earned my spot there just like the rest of the riders, but the irrational intimidation that I felt made me feel as though I was destined for failure.

Dinner with Me

Dinner with Me

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

Before I lost my sight, I was one of those strange individuals who enjoyed eating at restaurants alone.

Sure, I also loved to grab a bite with a group of friends or my family, but there was always something about the peace and relaxing atmosphere of a meal spent in solitude that appealed to me.

It’s been almost 7 years since I strolled into a restaurant by myself, was shown to a table, and enjoyed a meal independently.

Well folks, I am happy to say that this streak has finally come to an end.

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.

Should We Thank God For “Unanswered” Prayers?

Should We Thank God For “Unanswered” Prayers?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

One implication of my blindness that I don’t think I will ever get used to is its impact on social interactions.

When I am in a conversation with someone, I cannot read their body language, and this is a pretty important aspect!

As a result, it can be hard to know if I have their attention, if they are distracted, or even if they have walked off and left the conversation all together!

In situations like this, I often end up feeling unheard and unanswered.

We all know how it feels to see that a text message or Facebook message has been read, but ignored.

New Season: Exciting Life Update!

New Season: Exciting Life Update!

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

Spring is quickly approaching, and with it will come the changes and promises of a new season.

Flowers bloom, the weather gets warmer, and we can finally start to venture out of our cozy winter cocoon of blankets and fleece!

The weather is not the only thing that has been changing for me recently.

My life has been undergoing a season of change that has brought sad goodbyes, exciting new endeavors, and a whirlwind of emotions.

I wanted to let you in on what God has been teaching me through it all.

Drown Out The Noise, Amplify His Voice

Drown Out The Noise, Amplify His Voice

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

When I lost my sight in both eyes in 2015, I also completely lost hearing in my left ear.

While I do not write as often about this aspect of my disability, it still impacts my life in many ways.

Thankfully, the hearing in my right ear was not damaged, so I still have relatively good hearing overall.

However, when you combine my sight loss with my partial hearing loss, things can get pretty tricky!

I have a hard time hearing any soft noises that originate on my left side, and it took me a long time to get used to only holding the phone up to my right ear.

God Can Use Where You Are

God Can Use Where You Are

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

As the new year grew closer, I read and heard quite a few statements about the approaching transition into 2021.

It seemed as though everyone craved a fresh start and the opportunity to leave 2020 behind along with all of its troubles and hardships.

I’m right there with you!

2020 was challenging for everyone, to say the least, and I’m truly hoping that 2021 will be better.

If we’re being honest, though, we are bound to face the same difficulties and even some new ones this year.