God Works Magazine - May-June 2024 - Flipbook - Page 72
Continued from page 53
This was the life she had
dreamed of, the life they all deserved. And her biggest wish
was that her story could inspire
other women still trapped in
abusive situations to have faith,
make a plan, and break free. For
if she could do it with no resources, two young kids, and only her trust in God to guide her,
anyone could. There was a way
out, a path to hope and healing.
Sarah was living proof that with
faith, even the most seemingly
insurmountable obstacles could
be overcome.
The long days of eking out a living in those first years in Seattle
were grueling for Sarah, but she
refused to become consumed by
bitterness or hopelessness. She
spent her precious free moments
pouring over the Bible, finding
solace and motivation in verses
about perseverance, courage, and
trusting in God's plan.
"For I know the plans I have for
you," declares the Lord, "plans to
prosper you and not to harm
you, plans to give you hope and
a future." This passage from Jeremiah became Sarah's mantra, a
reminder that after the immense
pain and darkness she had endured, brighter days were possible if she stayed faithful.
On Sundays, she and the kids
attended services at a warm, vibrant church where the members
72 | God Works Magazine | May/June 2024
immediately embraced them like
family. Though Sarah was too
proud to accept charity, the kindly church ladies insisted on
providing gently-used clothes,
homemade meals, and school
supplies for Emma and Jake. Surrounded by this loving community, Sarah slowly began to shed
the cloak of shame and worthlessness her abuser had burdened her with.
She joined a women's Bible study
group, and for the first time
could open up about the years of
torment without judgement.
These sisters in Christ bolstered
her with prayers, tough love,
love, and the unwavering truth
that her worth extended far beyond what any man had tried to
make her believe.
With their support and the healing rhythms of worship, Sarah's
dream of becoming a full-time
potter began taking shape. A few
group members visited local
spots selling her pieces on consignment to spread the word.
Every sale, no matter how small,
created a budding sense of empowerment and self-sufficiency.
When Sarah had finally saved
enough for a small studio, the
pastor's wife suggested holding a
ceramics class at the church for
kids. Though terrified, Sarah
took the leap - and was shocked
by the overwhelming response.
Her nurturing spirit, radiant
smile and tangible creative gifts
allowed children to blossom under her guidance. Word quickly
spread about her special touch
with pottery and people alike.
In a few short years, Sarah's business had outgrown the church
and settled into a quaint but bustling studio with a showroom up
front. While never forgetting her
harrowing escape, she was able
to look back with immense gratitude for her restored sense of
identity, purpose and unshakable
faith in God's path. He had delivered her family from that lonely,
hopeless existence into a joyful
new beginning.
Sarah's journey was still a day-by
-day exercise in courage. There
remained struggles, setbacks,
and moments where she worried
her impostor ex might resurface.
But his grip had been shattered,
his angry voice drowned out by
an infinitely stronger voice of
love, hope and assurance that she
was finally home - surrounded
by the peaceful fruits of her own
creativity and cherished by a
community that had become
family. Most importantly, Sarah
had an indescribable peace that
no earthly circumstance could
ever break, because her future
was safely held in the hands of
the one true God who had delivered her from the darkest valley
into a life more radiant than she
ever could have dreamed.
