Published in Contemplate

·4 days ago

Who Wouldn’t Want a Pole in Her Bedroom?

And, no, I’m not a firefighter — When we left for vacation, a new floor-to-ceiling pole stood near the foot of our bed. Should I try to explain its presence to our son who would be housesitting? Or hope he wouldn’t notice it? “That pole in our bedroom,” I finally confessed upon our return, “it’s not as…

Christianity

4 min read

Who Wouldn’t Want a Pole in Her Bedroom?

Christianity

4 min read

Published in Koinonia

·Dec 20, 2022

The Uncomfortable Step to Healing You Likely Didn’t Consider

Whether the wound is visible or not — I left the surgery center, with molded cardboard splints, bandages, two substantial Ace wraps, and a sling supporting my right hand and wrist. The dressing was so thick, I could punch a wall and be spared injury. But I wouldn’t. Instead, I kept my hand across my heart — even…

Christianity

5 min read

The Uncomfortable Step to Healing You Likely Didn’t Consider

Christianity

5 min read

Published in Koinonia

·Nov 2, 2022

Her Death Was a Good One, But We Weren’t Ready to Say Goodbye

Steve thought she was just sleeping until he saw her face. Eyes in a dead stare. Jaw slack. Tori had died in her favorite place atop the picnic table moments before I got home from work on Friday. …

Relationships

7 min read

Her Death Was a Good One, But We Weren’t Ready to Say Goodbye

Relationships

7 min read

Published in Koinonia

·Oct 24, 2022

I Looked Back at Sorrow and Found God’s Kind Surprise

Reflections on God’s goodness in the midst of tragedy — It’s October and I’m thinking of Bill. Not longingly, not with great sorrow — now. Those feelings had their place 31 years ago. Now I’m looking back in awe — recognizing God’s kindness in the midst of tragedy. October 1991 “If only I could talk with Bill about this, I would be…

Memoir

7 min read

I Looked Back at Sorrow and Found God’s Kind Surprise

Memoir

7 min read

Published in Koinonia

·Oct 4, 2022

Is Your Brain Stuck on an Old Script?

Here’s how to embrace change — “Me!!!” I typed into the webinar’s chat. I raced to respond to Kelly’s question before anyone else: “Who feels they’re struggling with how to create content that drives shares?” she had asked. Turns out I was the only one who responded. “OK, Sara. Come on now,” Kelly admonished. “You just…

Christianity

4 min read

Is Your Brain Stuck on an Old Script? Here’s How to Embrace Change

Christianity

4 min read

Published in Koinonia

·Aug 23, 2022

I Failed, But You Can Save Money and Skip These 10 Troubles

Well, 8 of them, anyway — My anguish was real, but Jenna laughed. “You’re doing all this just to avoid paying an extra $33 a month?” Jenna marched in place as we waited for the cars to pass in the predawn darkness before jaywalking across 8th Avenue. Her words marched into my head. “You’re doing all…

Christianity

5 min read

I Failed, But You Can Save Money and Skip These 10 Troubles

Christianity

5 min read

Published in Koinonia

·Aug 18, 2022

How to Conquer Perfectionism: Granted, My Advice Might Not Be Perfect

Insert winking emoji… — My attempt to write “stickier” blog posts made me stuck. Call it perfectionism or overwhelm or that damning combination of those two enemies. It wasn’t the result I’d wanted when I completed Sticky Blogging, a much-coveted course by Happy You Happy Family blogging expert Kelly Holmes. But I can’t say…

Self

4 min read

How to Conquer Perfectionism: Granted, My Advice Might Not Be Perfect

Self

4 min read

Published in Koinonia

·Aug 8, 2022

Wasting Too Much Time Trusting Something Other Than God?

If God’s promises are true — and they are — I’m getting the better end of this deal.

Morning

1 min read

Wasting Too Much Time Trusting Something Other Than God?

Morning

1 min read

Man clings for dear life to the rock face of a cliff. The scripture verse from Psalm 91:14, The Message version, is super imposed on the rock. It says, “If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me.” — Image by Vernon Wiley, Getty Images Signature, edited by Author

Wasting Too Much Time Trusting Something Other Than God?

Published in Koinonia

·Jul 5, 2022

5 Truths to Encourage You if You’re Feeling Like a Failure

I was doing my best, but still, I saw my writing life like this … — Being nosy led me into a full-blown emotional affair — with a house. I’m not sure how it started, but my success as a writer seems intricately connected to this home under construction. I know it’s weird. Once I went to a movie and associated a character with my dad…

Christianity

7 min read

5 Truths to Encourage You if You’re Feeling Like a Failure

Christianity

7 min read

Published in Koinonia

·Jun 28, 2022

The Self-Esteem Lesson I Learned From Wrapping a Gift Too Creatively

It was my grandson’s delight — and disappointment — For my grandson’s 7th birthday, I went all out. My daughter had told me he wanted clothes, that he said “Gramsy always buys the best clothes,” so that was my license to shop. I got carried away. (Grampa still purchased a toy — thank goodness!) Even though I was told…

Christianity

4 min read

The Surprising Lesson I Learned From Wrapping a Gift Too Creatively

Christianity

4 min read

Who Wouldn’t Want a Pole in Her Bedroom?

The Uncomfortable Step to Healing You Likely Didn’t Consider

Her Death Was a Good One, But We Weren’t Ready to Say Goodbye

I Looked Back at Sorrow and Found God’s Kind Surprise

Is Your Brain Stuck on an Old Script?

I Failed, But You Can Save Money and Skip These 10 Troubles

How to Conquer Perfectionism: Granted, My Advice Might Not Be Perfect

Wasting Too Much Time Trusting Something Other Than God?

Wasting Too Much Time Trusting Something Other Than God?

5 Truths to Encourage You if You’re Feeling Like a Failure

The Self-Esteem Lesson I Learned From Wrapping a Gift Too Creatively

Sara Dagen