Testimonies

Sarah Chester's Story:

Discovering Grace and Growth Through a New Lens

For much of my life, I carried a quiet sense of inadequacy, particularly in my role as a parent. I loved my children deeply, yet I often felt overstimulated, emotionally drained, and guilty for needing personal space. For years, I assumed I was too sensitive or lacked patience. I now understand that I was living with undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

At age forty-four, I received both diagnoses, and that moment became a turning point in my personal, professional, and spiritual journey. What once felt like weakness began to make sense through a new, compassionate perspective. My brain was not broken; it was uniquely designed.

As I reflected on this new understanding, I recognized how God had been guiding me even when I did not know Him. In the moments when I felt lost or overwhelmed, His grace was present. Looking back, I can see that what I once perceived as failure was, in many ways, my attempt to survive without the knowledge or tools to understand myself.

Becoming a Christian gave me a renewed sense of peace, purpose, and identity. Through faith, I began to experience the meaning of grace, forgiveness, and renewal—both from God and toward myself. The verse that anchors this part of my journey is Romans 8:1, which reminds us that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. That truth reshaped how I view myself and how I relate to others.

As a life coach and marriage and family counselor, this discovery has profoundly influenced my professional practice. I have come to understand that awareness and healing occur on multiple levels: emotional, cognitive, relational, and spiritual. Integrating principles from psychology, neuroscience, and Biblical truth allows me to help individuals and families develop self-understanding, regulate emotions, and experience sustainable growth.

Parenting also looks different now. I have learned that the goal is not perfection but presence. Through honesty, self-reflection, and prayer, I strive to model for my children what it means to rely on God’s strength rather than my own. I teach them that boundaries and grace can coexist and that self-awareness is an act of stewardship over the life God has given each of us.

Today, I view my neurodivergence not as a limitation but as part of my divine design. It allows me to empathize more deeply, listen with intention, and walk alongside others who are learning to understand themselves. My story is one of discovery and redemption, a reminder that it is never too late to find clarity, healing, and purpose.

Through God’s grace, I continue to grow as a parent, a counselor, and a believer—one step, one revelation, and one act of compassion at a time.