Healing Through Life’s Firsts
Discover how life’s firsts after loss—while heavy with grief—can become opportunities for healing, growth, and renewal through faith and God’s guidance
the blog
New Life
More insights into how to align your life with God’s plan for you…
How to Use Guided Meditations in Your Prayer Routine
Learn how guided meditations can transform your prayer routine by providing clarity, stillness, and healing. Explore practical steps to incorporate this powerful spiritual tool into your daily walk with God
How to Create a Prayer Routine that Sticks
Discover how to create a prayer routine that sticks. Learn practical, faith-filled steps to deepen your connection with God, find peace in chaos, and build a transformative spiritual habit
Rebuilding Your Life with Wonder
Discover how to rebuild your life with awe and wonder after soul-crushing loss. Dawn Sanders shares practical steps, biblical inspiration, and journal prompts to help you find beauty, faith, and hope amidst the pain
It’s Just the Beginning: Hope Rises at First Congregational
Sanders’ message resonated deeply with many who had come feeling broken and alone. She reminded them that their pain wasn’t the end, but potentially the soil from which new life could spring
Harvesting Joy After the Storm
We all experience seasons where it feels like a storm has stripped everything away
Weave & Cleave Podcast S3 Ep19
After unproductive relationships and heartache, Dawn met the man of her dreams. They started a ministry, got married, got pregnant, and suffered a miscarriage. Shortly
When Things Fall Apart: God’s Creative Process for Rebuilding Your Life with Dawn Mann Sanders
In this heartfelt conversation, listeners will discover how to partner with God through adversity and begin recreating a life filled with meaning and hope, even in the darkest times
The Martha & Mary Show Podcast Ep. 215
Listen to the Interview: In this heartfelt episode of The Martha & Mary Show, co-host Lee Nienhuis welcomes Dawn Mann Sanders, author of When Your
Even If Podcast with Kristi Lowe Ep. 92
This episode is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of unimaginable loss, there is always a path forward
I Choose My Best Life Podcast
Whether you’re facing personal loss, a life-altering event, or a season of uncertainty, this conversation will provide hope and practical wisdom for anyone seeking to rebuild their life on a foundation of faith
Overcoming Unexpected Setbacks
Setbacks aren’t the end; they’re opportunities to rebuild. With faith and small shifts, we can create a life even more aligned with our purpose
5 Often Overlooked Divine Invitations
Even in our darkest moments, God extends divine invitations, guiding us back to Him and offering hope, healing, and renewal amid life’s greatest challenges
How to Rebuild Trust Through Knowledge and Connection
Rebuilding my fractured trust proved to be a complex journey. I had to reconcile the God I knew before with the God I now know. Only then could the restoration of my shattered trust truly commence
Finding Stability in God’s Creation
God wasn’t agitated or overwhelmed at the sight of the universe’s unformed state. He was freely moving above it all, hovering peacefully and calmly
How Community Can Help You ‘Just Breathe’
Amidst the chaos of life’s storms, small groups emerge as beacons of hope, offering a safe harbor and a sanctuary for the soul. Within these spaces to breathe, we can discover a lifeline, just a source of support that transcends the bounds of mere camaraderie
Love & Obedience: A Spring Awakening
As the season of renewal unfolds, let’s remember that love isn’t just an abstract concept but a powerful force that fuels our faith
How To Rebuild Your Life When You Didn’t Sign Up For This
How do you cope and how do you rebuild a worthy life, full of joy when it hasn’t turned out how you expected
7 Prayers for Wisdom When Life Leaves You Stumped
Struggling to find words for prayer after life’s challenges? These seven prayers for wisdom offer guidance and clarity when life leaves you stumped
Overwhelmed? Build a Team
Stymied by a big vision for your ministry or career? Juggling multiple platform-building activities? Bewildered by a Scripture topic that seems beyond your ability to understand—let alone write or speak about
Walking Alongside
Together, we can overcome any obstacle and find joy and purpose in our restoration journey
Four Reasons I Take My Mistakes to God
Discover the importance of acknowledging mistakes and seeking God’s forgiveness for restoration and renewal in this insightful blog post
Six Unique Ways to Grow Your Faith in Midlife
Midlife is a stage filled with transitions and transformations that can challenge us deeply. Discover six unique avenues for growing your faith during midlife
12 Strategies for Rebuilding Your Faith
Dive into my latest blog and discover 12 innovative strategies for rebuilding your faith, tailored for resilient souls create a new life
How to Find Peace in the Chaos
Guidance on how to find peace in the chaos, even amidst life’s tremors, reminds us that God’s love and peace are always within reach
Taking Control of Your Thoughts and Destiny
In the wake of Reggie’s passing, my mind became a tempest of thoughts, swirling relentlessly—none of them bearing solace. Since then, I’ve come to realize
Quotes on Life: Maya Angelou
Welcome, my resilient readers, to a blog post that celebrates the timeless wisdom of Maya Angelou. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve experienced challenges
Quotes about Life: Harry Belafonte
Looking for words of wisdom to uplift and inspire you as you move forward in creating a new life after a traumatic event? Look no
Naomi’s Family’s Names in the Book of Ruth
God knows your situation, He knows the terrain on the path He has you on, and He knows the good works He has prepared for you. He knows it all
Traveling in the Book of Ruth vs. Now
Letting go has a purpose beyond us and what we can see today, making room for all of the new things God has in store for us
Three Locations in the Book of Ruth
When faced with a gap, my study of Ruth has taught me that one response will never lead me wrong: Fill all gaps with God
What’s Important about Naomi’s Opening Situation in the Book of Ruth?
Things that speak to the condition and quality of our relationships with God are of the utmost importance to Him
The Meaning of the Land as Israel’s Possession
Tending and keeping the garden was Adam’s job. The land was his assignment. Today, it’s ours. Because of Adam’s sin, our jobs feel like work, but it’s work worth doing
The Differences Between Famines, Fasts and Feasts
God created us to know Him and His works, and to make our knowledge of them—Him and His works—known to Him and others through our praise and worship
Famines in the Bible
The effect God wants as the result of a famine is repentance, and with repentance comes the opportunity to create a new life
The Difference Between Felt Needs and Real Needs
The pain of immense trials, intense suffering, and devastating catastrophes can take our focus off of any possible spiritual attacks against us—our real needs
The Purpose of Chaos
And as God uses pruning and shaking to move us in new and different directions, we are to remain in Jesus and Jesus in us, so when God moves us, we move from one unshakable thing to the next—at least that’s God’s desire for us
The Freedom to Do You
Once I healed and began dreaming of what my new life could look like, I was free to embrace the possibilities of what it could be like again
How to Respond When Life Happens
A catastrophic event may have happened in your life, but it doesn’t have to be your whole story. God has so much more for us in the form of a new beginning
How Will Your Relationship End?
Every relationship in this life ends. Every relationship will end because all of our lives will one day end. Death is a certainty
Some Certainties We Have in This Life
If we determine God’s motives to be impure, He stops being good. Once we deem Him no longer good, we’ve changed who God is
Five Freedoms When Creating a New Life
I have power, control, and influence without hindrance or interference allowing me to create great things in great amounts at no cost. Yes, I will shout about my God because these are praiseworthy things
What’s the Best Decision-Making Process for Creating New Lives?
Often the problem is we aren’t or weren’t making the best choices—and we’re missing opportunities as a result. We’re missing out on reaching our fullest potential
A Biblical Response to Strong Emotions
Yes, shifting to a new direction can be hard. For those of us who experienced a catastrophic event, it can be more than hard. It can hurt.
The Right Conditions for Rest
So, once I reconnected with my God-given position as Adam’s descendent, I could rest again. All I had to do was remember not to allow my circumstances to define me
The Order of Rest
None of us are born fully charged in the sense of fully developed and capable of performing our assignments. We have a lot of resting and growing to do before we can perform fully
A Habitat for Humanity
God’s original intention was for humanity not just to exist, but to flourish. We can enjoy our lives and be satisfied because of God’s favor
Fueling Your New Life
Just like Adam is to fuel his body from trees that get energy from the sun (S-U-N), we are to fuel our lives with activities that get their energy from the Son (S-O-N)
Getting to the Root
Catastrophic events are like potholes. Most are unexpected, seem to come out of nowhere, and can knock you off course if you aren’t careful
How to Make Wise Decisions as a Christian
The first question was: How will you make decisions? This first decision was foundational to our relationship—because all our future decisions would rest upon that decision
Tapping into the Power of Eternity
Even though you may have experienced a catastrophic event, your fruitfulness, your ability to bear much fruit also remains
Turning Our Imaginations into Reality
When God creates something new, it springs forth in the sense of a fountain bubbling up or a plant sprouting up from underground
If I Only Imagine
Imagining or forming a mental picture of yourself and your life gives you much-needed vision and direction. As any navigator will tell you, in order to chart a course, you need two things: a starting point and an ending point
When is the Right Time to Start Creating a New Life?
Six years ago, my upstairs neighbor’s water heater leaked into my bedroom and bathroom. The water damage resulted in stripping down the ceilings, walls, and
How Difficulty Plays in Creating a New Life
Though easy at first, hard work became Adam and Eve’s experience as well. But Adam and Eve didn’t stop in the face of hard work—and thankfully so. If they had, none of us would be here
The Benefit of NOT Being First
You’ve experienced a devastating, even catastrophic, event. Now, it feels like the end of the world as you know it. That’s because it did. The world as you knew it ended. But it isn’t the first time. The first happened, you guessed it, at the beginning
Three Ways to Pursue What the Enemy Stole
Recently, I shared I was on a mission when Reggie approached me about beginning a relationship with a view towards marriage. The mission was the
Seven Steps to Get Back What the Enemy Stole
When I met Reggie, I wasn’t ready for my blessing. The enemy took advantage of my lack of preparation and sent a counterfeit to distract me from my purpose. His attack was brutal
Be Vigilant about Attacks and Harvests
I should have expected it—the attack. God had already spoken to me about being vigilant when I wrote about spiritual terrorism in response to remembering
Spiritual Terrorism
Creating a new life in the wake of a catastrophic event is hard. The event we went/are going through “involved or caused sudden great damage or suffering.” Just thinking about the damage and suffering we have endured can make us
Acceptance: The Pivotal Step to Looking Forward
Wherever you are on your journey, whatever God is challenging you to accept, I hope you are able to take a step. Whether your first step, your pivotal step, or your next step, I hope you take a step. If not today, one day soon
Seeing the Possible When Facing the Impossible
Once you change how you relate to your situation, you may be able to see the possible again. And seeing the possible is the first step to creating the possible in your life
How I Began to Create a New Life
I encourage you to embrace the truth that you don’t have to feel bad forever. The truth is you can enjoy your life because life can feel good again—even in the wake of your life-altering event
Love: Want An(other) Extraordinary One?
If I was going to do it again, I needed it to be different. So, I needed to be different. My time alone with Him allowed God to heal me and change me
Rise Above: Changing Your Thinking
Instead of trying to change the other person (which you don’t really have the power to do), why not focus on the one person you can change—yourself? And not just with words, change yourself by changing your thinking
Rise & Shine in the Morning
No matter what time I wake up, I purpose to rise AND shine. Because starting my day off right is a crucial step in creating and living a life I love. That means I have to have a good morning
Miscarriage & Mother’s Day
Not every woman feels like celebrating or her joy is bittersweet. For many women who have experienced a miscarriage, Mother’s Day is a painful reminder of our losses—and most women suffer in silence
Are You Resisting a Rest?
I evaluated my fear of rest reducing my productivity and found it to be unfounded. Rest is part of the cycle—growth, productivity, and accomplishment have a beginning, a middle, and an end
More Reasons for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
When I don’t get enough sleep, parts of my body, some in my brain, are not working to their full potential. Getting a good night’s sleep increases our creativity, and thus, our ability to solve complex problems threefold
Stumbling Due to Your Personal Vision?
Does the prospect of creating God-honoring designs feel overwhelming? Are you stumbling around trying to create one? Maybe you need to have your vision checked. Your personal vision, that is
Remembering Loved Ones During the Holidays
Remembering loved ones is another way of coping with grief during the holidays. By remembering your loved one, I mean intentionally including your loved ones in a holiday ritual or tradition
Coping with Grief During the Holidays
Most likely this holiday will be different than previous holidays, because you are different. So, don’t expect you or the holiday to be the same. Try to remember that different doesn’t have to mean ruined
Three Ways to Combat Loneliness
To combat loneliness, I did three things: renewed my existing relationships, nurtured other people, and did things I enjoyed with others who enjoyed them
Will Your Circumstances Define You?
It has been over four years and I am still rebuilding my life. I can’t say that my relationship with God and my definition of myself are the same, but I don’t think they are supposed to be
An “Unexpected” Source of Help
These women came alongside me and walked with me as I walked with them—they showed me that we don’t have to allow adversity to be the ending to our stories
Want An(other) Extraordinary Life?
Here I am trusting God. My new extraordinary life (my next big thing) has not arrived yet, but I finally want it and believe it is on its way. I’m on a journey to find/create/build it because there is still hope
What a Difference A Change in Perspective Makes
A guest post from a breast cancer survivor—sharing her testimony with others in hopes that they will be advocates for their own health and rely on God when enduring adversity
The Key to Knowing What to Do
“I lost myself,” stated a former student of mine. That is easy to do following a life-altering event. We focus so much on the doing that the being gets lost. At least, that is what happened to me
Are You Ready? Part VI
These tips on growing spiritually have served my whole family well over the years. No matter where you are in your faith, Scripture is a weapon you can use to overcome a multitude of challenges
Are You Ready? Part V
Money is a tool, one I want in my toolbox. That way, I am ready to move when opportunity knocks. Having the money on hand makes it easier to not hesitate when God prompts
Are You Ready? Part IV
I wasn’t ready in the past and almost missed my blessing. I don’t want to put another blessing at risk. That is still my reason, but when it comes to physical health, it goes deeper than that
Are You Ready? Part III
As your emotional health improves, so will your life by making you a happier, healthier, more positive person—positive people are more likely to attract other positive people and things in their lives
It’s Time to Come Out of the Shadow
That is what I sensed God saying to me during a retreat back in June. When I heard it in my spirit, I began to cry because being in the shadow is so foreign to me
Who Else Wants to Live in a Beautiful Home?
When I moved into my home almost 25 years ago, I wanted to create a beautiful space in which I loved to live. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the resources or know enough about myself to do it
Here is the Method that is Helping Me Declutter My Closet—and My Life
I hold each individual item in my hands and ask myself, “Does this bring me joy?” If it doesn’t spark joy in me, it has to go.
An Unexpected Benefit of the Unknown
No longer knowing who I am anymore, makes it difficult, if not impossible, to know what the future holds for me—but the blessing of a clean slate allows me to rewrite my ending, one glorious chapter at a time
Welcome to My Blog
My goal is to open a dialogue about how to navigate the challenges, struggles, and obstacles, we encounter in life, and ultimately, not allow these experiences to define us. I look forward to conversing with you as we navigate life together