All tagged God

A Challenge to Focus on the Unseen

A Challenge to Focus on the Unseen

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

If you were to walk into my house, one of the first things that you would notice would be all the pictures. 

Wedding pictures, engagement photos, snapshots from my travels, and photographs of family adorn the walls, shelves, and mantle. 

I have always loved pictures. Before I lost my sight, and, yes, even after.

The third anniversary of my wedding is today, and one of my favorite things to do is to sit and look over all the pictures from our perfect day. 

How do I do this without my sight you may be wondering? 

For my digital photos, I have descriptions of the pictures typed out, which my screen reader will read aloud as I select an image. 

Are You Listening to God?

Are You Listening to God?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

Throughout my journey with blindness, I have learned many lessons.

Lessons that could be applied not only to my sight loss but to grief, relationships, and even to God.

While learning to navigate the world without my sight using a white cane, one of the first techniques I was taught was how to use my ears.

At street crossings, I was instructed on how to pay close attention to the sounds of traffic. By doing so, I could determine whether traffic was flowing, the direction the cars were moving, and if it was safe for me to cross the street.

Are You God's Vessel?

Are You God's Vessel?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

When I was little, I was a bit different from many of my friends.

I never donned a dance leotard, ballet slippers, gymnast suit, or cheerleader uniform.

No, I was more comfortable in boots, brushing ponies, and riding in a dusty arena.

I did try gymnastics lessons once, though.

Quickly, I realized it wasn’t for me.

In an attempt to find an excuse to gracefully bow out of the sport, I told my parents that I didn’t want to do gymnastics anymore because my instructor had a ponytail…it was the logic of a 5-year-old, but it worked!

So, I never learned how to do a cartwheel, stand on my hands, or be flexible.

Where Is God in Our Suffering?

Where Is God in Our Suffering?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

As many of you know, I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling through Liberty University.

During this program, one of the most surprising and enlightening things I have learned is that skills or techniques are not the most important factors that make an effective counselor. Rather, the most powerful way of helping to facilitate healing, growth, and change in the lives of clients is a counselor’s way of sitting with hurting people.

This is known as presence.

Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen?

Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

As humans, we are especially prone to asking the “why” question when bad things happen in our lives.

Why did I get fired?

Why did my mother have to leave us so early?

Why am I going through this divorce?

As Christians, we know that God is all-powerful. So, it seems natural for us to begin questioning Him as well.

Finding God in Unexpected Places

Finding God in Unexpected Places

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

Where do you feel closest to God?

Is it in a quiet, serene setting like a garden or flowery meadow??

Maybe it is in your living room with a cup of coffee in hand during the early morning hours.

What about in the back corner of a cozy coffee shop or when you are singing hymns in church?

All of these are good answers to the question, and, honestly, there are no wrong answers. Everyone is different and everyone experiences closeness with God in a different way.

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?

Finding Comfort in Silence

Finding Comfort in Silence

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

A few weeks ago, I spent time in Lynchburg, Virginia at Liberty University.

As an online student, I do most of my assignments virtually.

However, for my course in counseling skills, I had the opportunity to travel to campus for a week of face-to-face learning. It was a wonderful week in which I was able to connect with fellow students and learn the practical skills that I will use every day as a counselor.

One of the most valuable skills for a counselor is silence.

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. 

Alone with God

Alone with God

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

Have you ever felt truly alone? Maybe you are facing a situation that is unfamiliar to your closest family or friends, are in a disagreement with your spouse or significant other, or just cannot seem to relate to the walks of life that the others around you are experiencing. Many situations in life can make us feel like we are isolated. When we feel this way, it can be so easy to retreat into ourselves. Like little hermit crabs, we crawl into our shells, and, trust me, this is not a safe place at all. I know from experience that the enemy can get to us more easily when we isolate ourselves.

Out With the Old, in With the New

Out With the Old, in With the New

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

After going blind in 2015, I desperately wanted my life to return to “normal.”

Whether my sight came back or not, I was bound and determined to return to who I was before. I wanted to do the same activities, live the same way, and enjoy the same things.

It didn’t take long to realize, however, that the “normal” I had experienced before would never completely be attained again.

Fixing Our Eyes on the Unseen

Fixing Our Eyes on the Unseen

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

If you were to walk into my house, one of the first things that you would notice would be all the pictures.

Wedding pictures, engagement photos, snapshots from my travels, and photographs of family adorn the walls, shelves, and mantle.

I have always loved pictures. Before I lost my sight, and, yes, even after.

The one-year anniversary of my wedding is rapidly approaching, and one of my favorite things to do is to sit and look over all the pictures from our perfect day.

How do I do this without my sight you may be wondering?

What is the Helmet of Salvation?

What is the Helmet of Salvation?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

When I was about 6 years old, I attended a summer camp at a local farm.

This was the beginning of my horse obsession.

One of the first lessons at camp taught us about the necessary equipment, both for the horse and for the rider.

The horse must be equipped with a saddle, saddle pad, girth, and bridle.

The rider must be equipped with proper riding attire such as breeches (pants), boots, gloves, and a helmet.

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 Armor of God?

What is the Armor of God?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

One of the most difficult parts about blindness is all of the unseen “enemies'' that seem to lurk around every corner.

I bump into or trip over objects that I didn't know were there, jump ten feet in the air when someone starts speaking in a room that I thought was vacant, or flinch when something brushes my arm and I have no way to figure out what it was. The unseen can be frightening!

In reality, however, all of us sighted or blind, encounter unseen enemies that are far more sinister.

How to Replace Our Fears with Faith

How to Replace Our Fears with Faith

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

What makes you afraid?

When we take a closer look at our fears, many of them center around the unknown, unfamiliar, or what is out of our control.

One of my greatest fears is storms.

The power and unpredictability that they possess turn me into a nervous wreck every time the thunder begins to roll and rain pounds on the roof. You never can quite tell what a simple summer thunderstorm may progress into.

Ironically, before I lost my sight, I also had a fear of the dark.

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.

Can God Use Me?

Can God Use Me?

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

If you had told me 7 years ago that I would one day start my own ministry, I would have thought you were crazy.

The idea that I would be sharing my faith with others would have been almost laughable to me.

Why?

Because I did not have a close relationship with Christ, I was living far from how a Christian should live, and I hardly ever touched my Bible.

Despite this, God decided to use me anyway, and I’m so glad that He did.

As a result, my life is now drastically different.

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.

Finding Christmas Courage

Finding Christmas Courage

Sara Claudia Ministries
FAITH

I love to read and listen to audiobooks, and one of my favorite authors is Karen Kingsbury.

Not only are her novels compelling and entertaining, but they are all based on scripture and Biblical truths.

Her writing always leaves me with a sense of peace and gratitude towards our Lord and Savior, and I always tend to learn something new about God and His word.

While reading Kingsbury’s novel, “Truly, Madly, Deeply,” I was given a whole new perspective on a Bible story that all of us know so well…the Christmas Story.

We often read the account of Jesus’ miraculous conception and birth with a sense of hope, joy, and peace.

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