Daily Inspiration: Meet Sarah Steele

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Steele

Sarah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always been driven to serve, finding joy in meeting needs without being asked. But that drive often led me to overstep, ignore my limits, and suppress my emotions. Unsurprisingly, it culminated in burnout. I spiraled into anxiety as the woman I thought I was disappeared. My church became a lifeline, connecting me with a counselor who met me in my basement when I couldn’t leave my house, and over the past decade, I’ve worked hard to release faulty beliefs and hold fast to what is true.

Writing has been a key part of my healing. Poetry, my preferred genre, forces this wordy extrovert to be succinct! This year, I published An Ocean Without, a book that is my actual heart. It tells the story of a people-pleasing, boundary-less codependent hitting rock bottom and finding wholeness through faith and community. The book debuted at #1 on Amazon’s Top New Release list (what joy!) and continues to resonate with readers, who often share how it’s impacting their lives.

Since then, I’ve been performing the book with five original songs across Southwest Michigan—at churches, libraries, house shows, tea shops, and more. I also create art inspired by my poetry, combining typewritten verses with embroidery designs stitched into the paper. To see creativity flourish from a season of brokenness is a testament to God’s redemptive power and the healing that comes from facing the past.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Writing has brought its share of rejections, both personally and professionally, but I’ve never found this terribly discouraging—it’s simply part of the writer’s journey. My commitment to my reader keeps me focused; I always have her in mind as I persevere. I also serve as an editor for The Way Back to Ourselves, an online community of faithful creatives that has been a sustaining presence through both disappointments and triumphs.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Some poetry is meant to be heard, and mine falls squarely into that category. Spoken aloud, the words gain power and resonance, and I often hear how deeply meaningful it is to those who listen. I love crafting poetry with a strong rhythm and rhyme, weaving thoughtful metaphors that invite readers and listeners to meditate on its many layers. By giving voice to common emotions and experiences, I aim to make my words both accessible and fresh, offering familiar truths in a new light.

Transforming my poetry into visual art adds another layer of connection. Whether displayed on a wall or sent as a card to a friend, these pieces serve as lasting reminders of meaningful truths.

My current push is my poetry, but I also love watercolor. I primarily paint cards and smaller frame-able pieces, including custom house portraits, which are such a precious gift to their receivers.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
As the oldest of ten kids, I grew up in a house filled with constant noise—mostly laughter and music. One of my favorite memories is from family vacations: blasting music in our twelve-passenger van with the windows down, our voices spilling out into the streets of whatever city we were exploring. Today, my own family of six spends most of our driving time singing along with our favorite music.

Pricing:

• Book: $20
• Custom House Portrait: $75
• Poetry Print w/Stitching: $30-60

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bysarahsteele.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bysarahsteele
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bysarahsteele
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/bysarahsteele