Balancing Life, Faith, and Creativity
Sarah Vervoren shares her journey of self-discovery, faith, and writing Christian fiction, aiming to inspire women and provide wholesome literary escapes rooted in God’s love.
Sarah Vervoren is a woman of many roles—wife, mother, full-time professional, and active church member—yet she has carved out a space for herself as an aspiring author and dedicated advocate for personal growth. Over the past two decades, Sarah has immersed herself in the world of self-improvement, refining her habits and mindset to navigate life’s demands with grace and purpose. Her journey is not just about self-betterment but also about inspiring others to live intentionally and faithfully.
In this candid interview with Reader’s House Magazine, Sarah opens up about her path to self-discovery, the role of faith in her daily life, and her passion for writing Christian fiction. She shares how her love for learning and her commitment to God have shaped her perspective, offering valuable insights for anyone seeking to balance personal growth with life’s responsibilities. From her favourite books on self-improvement to her vision for creating wholesome, faith-driven literature, Sarah’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and divine guidance.
Join us as we delve into the life of a woman who is not only striving to be the best version of herself but also hoping to lead others toward a deeper connection with God through her words and actions.
What inspired you to start your journey of self-discovery and self-improvement?
I have always loved learning. From my first step on the school bus, I was hooked on learning about anything and everything. After I graduated college with an MBA, my passion to learn continued. I met some people who told me, “leaders are readers.” I began unveiling more about myself and finding ways to become the best person I could be as I dug into personal development books. I have been obsessed with self-improvement ever since.
How do you integrate your faith into your daily life and personal growth?
I start each day by praying for my children and husband. Then I spend time in my Bible, learning more about God and what he is trying to teach me that day. I finish the session with three things I’m grateful for. I am not perfect and miss some days, but if I miss too many in a row, it affects my overall attitude, and I become painstakingly aware that I need to spend time with God.
Daily Bible reading has taken my self-improvement journey to a whole new level. Now I don’t focus as much on habits and affirmations, even though they are helpful. Instead, I focus on whether or not it is what God wants me to do, according to the Bible. My entire perspective on personal development has changed. I now think of self-improvements books as the tools and the Bible as the rules.
Can you share your favorite books that have influenced your perspective on self-improvement?
There are so many books that I have learned great nuggets from. If I had to pick a few, one of them would be “Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod. This helped me start my mornings off right and blaze the path for “filling my cup” before pouring into others each day. Another book is “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. This book explains how habits drive our day and how to optimize them for maximum performance. The most impactful, and my favorite book, is the Bible. God gives me guidance on parenting, marriage, friendships, work, and pretty much anything I would have a question on. It is the ultimate personal development book.
What advice would you give to someone starting their own journey of self-discovery?
Give yourself grace. You will learn and grow, and then life will happen, and you will have a setback. Keep showing up for yourself. You are worthy of living the best life you can. God created you to not just wake up, go to work, take care of your family, and go to bed, just to do it all over again every day. He created you to thrive and give back to your community. Don’t be afraid to try new things. You never know what you are going to love. Find your passions and allow self-discovery to be a priority in your own life, even if it is 30 minutes each week. Start small if you must. Just start.
How do you balance your passion for reading with other aspects of your life?
My life is full of obligations, and if I don’t make personal time a priority, my physical and mental health take a toll. I have found that I need to carve out time each morning with God to read the Bible, but I also spend time each night before bed reading a fiction book. This allows me to fill my cup by reading daily while also taking care of my other duties. If I am lucky enough to have a day with no obligations, I allow myself to spend all day reading with no guilt. We should all give ourselves that kind of grace every now and then.
What role does community play in your personal growth and faith journey?
I look to my close friends, family, and church to help me grow as a person and in my faith. There would be no reason for me to be better if I was a hermit. I want to share my time, talents, and treasures with others, and that means being a part of the community. The habits I work to create, and let go, are determined by how I am impacting others. I want to give them the best “me” I can.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your life that shaped your current path?
Becoming a mother really changed my perspective on life. Once I had my daughter, followed shortly by my son, it encouraged me to not just go through the motions each day, but to learn how to be the best mother I could. That was about the same time that I met those friends who encouraged me to read personal development books. One could say it was coincidence. I say it was God.
What are your future goals or projects related to self-improvement and living for God?
I have had a calling on my heart for over ten years to write Christian fiction. I have read many fictional books that get a little too graphic for my taste; there have even been some that I refused to finish reading.
I want to give readers books that they can read and also share with their teen daughters. Books that show how we are all flawed as humans but are worthy of God’s love and can receive it if we just ask for forgiveness and believe in Him. I am currently working on my first book, and I’m hoping to have it published by the end of 2025 with more to come in future years. Stay tuned!
