Sarah: A new work of God

There is a story behind every person. Thoughts behind their expressions. Emotions behind their feelings, and a soul beneath their skin. Sarah’s story of her miraculous journey is one of many stories that too often go untold.

Sarah is shy and reserved, and without her telling her story, you would never know the trials and tribulations she has endured to get to where she is today.

Sarah’s childhood was dominated by feelings of insecurity and not belonging paired with abuse. Her mother was the one stabilizing force in her early life; she was Sarah’s protector and best friend. When Sarah was 14, her mother was diagnosed with cancer and tragically died 3 years later.

Sarah says, “I was so angry at God for taking away the only good thing in my life. I didn’t understand what my mother or I had done to deserve it.”

With her faith gone and a hole in her heart that her mother and God had once filled, abusive relationships and drugs were the anesthesia that she used to numb her unbearable pain. Sarah wanted a different life but didn’t know what to do. She felt paralyzed to make the change.

Making peace, restoring faith

At a rehabilitation center, she attended JobsPlus job readiness classes, and JobsPlus became the catalyst for the change Sarah was seeking.

She says, “I had just started opening up to the idea of rebuilding a relationship with God, and (JobsPlus’ Executive Director) Abe Woolfolk and staff encouraged me to follow that path. They taught me that my pain didn’t negate the presence of God, that He was still there and loved me just as much as before. Once I started to repair my relationship with Him, an amazing thing happened. I was able to make peace with my past, and for the first time in my life I started to become comfortable in my own skin.”

Upon leaving the rehab facility, armed with her restored faith and determined to change her life, Sarah continued to attend classes at JobsPlus.

“At that time, I hadn’t had a job in more than 5 years. I didn’t think I had any marketable skills, and I had no idea how to even interview.”

Becoming a new work of God

JobsPlus got Sarah to realize her potential and prepped her to interview. Once they felt she was ready, they contacted one of their employer partners to arrange an interview. Sarah got the job.

She started as a laborer, quickly moved up to line captain, and now two years later, she is training to be a supervisor.

Sarah says, “I never thought I was ever smart enough to do anything like this. Was it always easy? No. Many days I wanted to give up. But because JobsPlus believed in me, I started to believe in myself, and I feel like with them and God by my side, anything is possible.”

Sarah’s story reminds us that beneath every exterior there is a person, a strong but sensitive soul that has its own wounds and scars. And that no matter what happens, God will never leave or forsake us.

Ultimately, He is the powerful force behind each and every one of our stories.

Julie O’Meara is a freelance writer based in Cincinnati. She is available for freelance writing opportunities. You can contact her at julierack@yahoo.com and 513-205-0918.