About the Author

At (in)courage, we empower women to be like Jesus. Our writers share what’s going on in their life and how God’s right in the middle of it. They bring their joys & struggles so that you can feel less alone and be empowered by the hope Jesus gives.

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things we love
& you will too!
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  1. (in)courage,
    Thank you so much for sharing Sara’s story. This morning I woke up at 3:45. I grumbled about the time change and how it’s messed up my system….but then as I laid there in my warm comfy bed, I thanked God that I have a place to sleep and a roof over my head. I headed down the stairs and the moon lit up the steps. I stopped and just sat on the steps gazing out the front window and thanked God for watching over me and giving me loving reminders of his constant presence. These are the simple things that I need to do more of. Reading Sara’s story was right on time for me this morning!! Thank you…
    Blessings,
    Bev

    • Amen, Bev! I love reading your comments and have felt a kindred spirit with you and some of your life’s experiences. I am thankful for you! I can usually count on knowing your awake and reading these posts early in the morning as I am. Sort of like we are sitting together and sharing time with the Lord. Might sound crazy but it’s pretty cool.

    • Hello, Bev…

      Thank you for your kind words of support and love for my sweet sister, Sara. Her true purpose was helping others find and live the joy, peace and grace that she truly had, knowing that it was all about Him and being grateful for all He is and does for us.

      May you continue to be blessed in abundance.

      Sara’s sister ~

      Laura

  2. Like Bev, I want to thank you for sharing Sara’s writing. Just yesterday I found Sara through one of your “Related” posts and I couldn’t quit reading her blog. It touched a deep, weary place in my heart and I was lifted by the messages she shared. What a joy to find this this morning!

    I want to be more aware of the little things that add up to big things when I really stop to be thankful, to speak thanks, and to recognize all that is around and in me. I, like Sara and Bev, have been stopped by the beauty of God’s creation around me – sunsets, sunrises, stars, the moon, the warmth of the sun, and the breeze on a summer’s day. I am thankful for eyes to see His beauty. As the seasons change, the colder temperatures move in, I am thankful each day for warm water and a warm home to live in. I am thankful for the many ways God has provided for so many years. I don’t have all the newest and finest but I truly have more than enough.

    Thank you, (in)courage, for sharing this article with us today. Today I’m giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
    Blessings to you sisters!
    Melanie

    • Melanie…

      Sara is smiling in heaven as she sees your days brightened and lifted through the messages she shared through her blog. Sara’s true purpose and reason for being joyful was her ability to help others see the goodness that can come from focusing on Him and all that He has to offer us.

      May you continue to be blessed always and in all ways.

      Sara’s sister~

      Laura

  3. Sara’s story touched me this morning. I face some physical battles, and I think it is a trick of the Enemy of our souls to make us look at ourselves, and our own problems instead of looking at how Great God is, what He has provided for us, and the blessings we have!

    I remember Sara, and her bright spirit in the midst of her illness. I can, however, look outside to see the trees move with the breeze, feel the chill of the oncoming winter air, the kiss of sunshine on my face, the promise of a pure cover over the ugly as snow falls on the ground, knowing that our God has it all in control, even if he isn’t ‘talking’ right now!

    Thanks for sharing my coffee this morning! I am encouraged. I will live life more fully – remembering!
    Sue

    • Sue…

      It blesses my heart and brings me joy to know that my sweet sister Sara’s words continue to minister to those who need a lifted spirit. Sara is smiling down knowing that she, through Him, continues to make a difference for others.

      Thank you for trusting in Him.

      Sara’s sister~

      Laura

  4. What beautiful words from a beautiful soul! Thanks so very much for sharing Sara’s story. How I wish all of us in this wonderful world God has given us would be able to live, love and appreciate life like Sara.

    My life is extremely hectic during these last two months of the year because I hand paint ornaments for Christmas and sell them at Craft Shows. Sara’s story has stopped me in my tracks this morning! Her story has made me take a good look at myself and reminds me to S L O W down. All the things I need to do will get done….they always do. God takes such good care of me and sometimes I forget He is my co-Pilot.

    This Christmas season I pray that I will slow down, smell the aromas of life, listen to and enjoy the laughter and sounds of the holidays, take extra time to spend with my family and friends and most of all the thank God for the gifts He gives me each and every day!

    Thanks again for sharing,
    Debbie

    • Debbie …

      Your kind words are so touching as I too focus on being grateful…grateful for the many day to day blessings as well as the humble heart of my sister, Sara. She ministered and made a difference to so many. Sara saw her illness as a gift…a gift that provided her with the ability to closely be with our heavenly father and through that closeness, provide others with the opportunity to know Him on a more personal level.

      Thank you for being someone who is bringing her family joy in knowing that her life truly served an ultimate purpose of showing others hope, joy, and peace through trusting in Him.

      May you find the perfect peace this Holiday season.

      Sara’s sister~
      Laura

  5. I did not know Sara’s story but I just googled it and learned. She lived well until she went home and now she lives best! It makes me sad for the Brittany Maynard’s of the world who lived and died without hope (as far as any written piece I have read).
    Sara’s story has re-made my day.
    Thank you extremely a lot!
    xo

    • Thank you, Susan and I am so glad you were able to find Sara’s blog and learn about her story. As Sara’s sister, it blesses my heart to know that she continues to make a difference here in this lower story as she enjoys the blessings of the upper story. 🙂

      Peace.

      Sara’s sister~

      Laura

  6. Thank you for sharing Sara’s beautiful post today. Many, like me, are in their later years, live alone, and have physical problems. It is easy to sometimes focus on what we have lost instead of what we have. It’s funny how many of the things Sara mentioned are blessings that the Lord has revealed to me in recent days, the warmth of the sunshine, the gentle breeze, the smell of fresh cut grass. I’ll be drinking in all of His incredible blessings today and thanking Him for each and every one! I’ll be thanking Him for you and the blessings you share with me. My prayer is that my life will be a legacy of faith and praise and thanksgiving to our loving God and Savior.

    • Susi…

      I pray that you continue to savor the moments and be blessed by God’s day to day blessings. Thank you for trusting and believing that through Him you will find Joy, Hope and peace.

      God’s blessings!

      Sara’s Sister~

      Laura

  7. I’m savoring tge unexpected call from my college roomie, totally “out of the blue” and on the wings of angels. Happy new year of thankful, rich days!

  8. I savoured the 4:30am wake up cuddle with my little boy. His energy at that time of day should be bottled and sold!
    Can’t wait to savour the rest of the day with the rest of my sleeping family

  9. Less than a week ago I wrote a post mentioning Sara and what she taught me (through her writings) about suffering well. Although I never met her, her life has profoundly affected how I approach life. The Lord used Sara immensely; her writings can never be shared too much.

    • Julie…

      Thank you for your kind words and love for my sweet sister, Sara! She is truly a blessing to many and it brings me joy knowing that she continues to be a blessing from Heaven. We so appreciate you sharing her life and words…You are continuing to make her wishes come true!

      May God continue to bless you.

      Sara’s sister~

      Laura

  10. I remember reading some of Sara’s posts. For her birthday I want to stop this rushing merry go round and see the world around me! I love looking at sunrises and sets, mountains, taking time to relax and enjoy the nature that is around me.

    To that end I have a thankful journal. In it I began by writing down everything I am thankful for–big and small–important and unimportant. Then each day I write down a few things I’m thankful for that day! It get you thinking about your life and what’s important!

    Thanks for the reminder!

    • Beth…

      Sara is blessed by the gift you have given her and I know she is smiling knowing that her beautiful life and words are being remembered.

      Blessings today and always.

      Sara’s sister~

      Laura

  11. thanks Sarah for ur story and to think about it the one I thought of missing out on was when I was carrying a baby and when we lost the baby it was very hard to continue on with more nd to us that seemed to be a miss out to being a mommy and daddy to another kido but not even 6 weeks later am I expecting again =) so I do praise God for the healing hands and blessing of babies =) and I’ll not miss out on having babies cuz he has already blessed us with one beautiful little girl and another baby on the way so thank u for the reminder to be thankful for all things big or small.

    • Barbie…

      Thank you for loving my sweet sister Sara so well! I know she is still smiling on us and probably overwhelmed knowing that she is continuing to make a difference for so many

      Blessings…

      Sara’s sister~

      Laura

  12. This was beautiful…and sacrificial… I watched my two beautiful little grandkids (4 and 2) get so excited last night watching two frogs sitting outside on the widow sill. We should all get so excited watching little creatures created by our God, for our pleasure. I want to become ‘as little children’ every day as I really ‘see’ the world around me.
    God bless you as you bless others!

  13. Thank you. rhis is beautiful and has given me a blessing today! The sunrise’s and sunset’s each day lets me know GOD is watching over us. I am so thankful for the long life He has given me to enjoy my children, grandchildren, and gteat-grandchildren.
    Blessings to You

  14. Thank you so much for sharing these words. They are so very inspiring.

    My daily inspiration comes from “the man upstairs.” And that’s not a slang word for God. It’s our oldest son, Joshua, who lives at home with us. He’s 28 years old and has Down Syndrome. He is a precious, precious soul and God uses him to remind us all to look for joy in each day. Joshua gets excited over the pretty fall leaves, or when we get a close parking place at the grocery store, or when the checker “double-bags” the milk. I made blueberry muffins for breakfast this morning, and you would’ve thought I had given him a stack of money…he was so excited. So, on the hard days…and there are some…I find joy in the ordinary.

  15. Thank you to incourage and Shannon for this video post. I am a college friend of Sara’s, and think of her and her message daily (probably because I have a big “choose joy” wall decal above my bed). This video was like a special treat, and as always, a thoughtful reminder to not miss the small joys.

    It is funny how Sara still sneaks into my life. I receive daily incourage emails, and for some reason had never looked at this particular email – nor had I deleted. I had saved it. And for that I am thankful.

    Still missing her smile, her laughter and our shared sarcasm. Choosing Joy!

    Susie