Hi beautiful friend!

Today I was able to fulfill a dream that has been in my heart for the last 10ish years, but it was not how I had originally envisioned it. Let me explain...

Back when I was 20 years old I walked through a dark valley that had me at the feet of Jesus in a way I never had been before - fully surrendered. Fully heart-broken. Fully believing I no longer had a reason to live.

But God met me in my grief and gave me hope.

After that I wanted to travel and speak to high school students about the dangers of drunk driving, but I didn't follow through with it. I really didn't know how to even go about speaking back then, and to be fully honest I probably wasn't prepared yet either.

That season sparked my desire to speak in general.

Fast forward: over the past several years I have spoken off and on through online summits and my own podcast, but last year I believed God was leading me to focus more on my leadership abilities, local connections, and in person events.

I said, "yes".

Last year I became a member of (and am now surprisingly the president of) my local Toastmasters club, and I have been speaking there quite a bit.

But today was different. A couple of weeks ago I was invited to speak at an in person class. One that I wasn't hosting, and one that I wasn't putting together.

I was legit asked to come speak when I hadn't done anything to market myself for the opportunity!

I had just showed up at a different time and met the facilitator in my everyday life and she just had the idea one day (I fully believe it was God!) for me to be a speaker for them.

So many times I had spun my wheels to try to do something to be "seen" as a speaker, but - as God has always done it for me - it was while I was just showing up and living my everyday life that a door was opened that I wasn't expecting (nor did I even know was possible!).

I said "yes" and was so excited, but inside felt completely ill-equipped.

I didn't have much to give them tangibly other than to answer, "It's all God".

Because that is the complete and honest truth.

All glory and honor in my life goes to Him. He deserves it. Not me. Only Him.

But He had been preparing me for it all along - in and out of season.

I gave God my "yes" and showed up today ready to speak not sure what would land and what wouldn't since I had never walked the path some of these women are on at this moment in time, but I showed up anyway.

And I shared all I can share - the love, grace, and mercy of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

My testimony was very well received by all the women who were there, and I trust the Holy Spirit will continue to do the work on their hearts that He began with them during our time together.

Although I was not speaking to the high school students like I thought I was going to 10ish years ago, I was still speaking about the same topic - the devastation alcohol can bring to someone's life.

That is truly the power of God doing exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20), and He can do the same for you!

In Christ's love,

~Sarah