Sara Hitzeroth

Seeing God in a Child’s Eyes

 
Sara HitzerothThe first time Sara Hitzeroth saw God at work was in the eyes of her cousin Connor.

Connor was born with profound physical disabilities and lived for only a year and a half. But in his short life span, Sara watched his enormous potential to share God’s love with others.

Remembers Sara, “I could see God in Connor’s eyes and knew God was always with Connor, me and my family. I could also see God in the people who cared for Connor, like the nurses and doctors. They loved him with all their hearts. This love came from God; I know it.”
God worked through me even though I didn’t know it.

- Sara Hitzeroth


Inspired by her young cousin, Sara signed up for a trip with Zion Lutheran Church in Elgin, Ill., to volunteer at a Mexican orphanage for boys.

As she poured herself into all her duties, from pulling up rotted flooring to singing with the children and making crafts, she was struck by how she saw God in the face of every person she encountered.

Today Sara is working as an activity aide at a facility for people with developmental disabilities. She massages hands, teaches crafts, and helps lead games with the children. She is taking classes to become a resident care assistant, so she can care for the personal hygiene and other needs of the people who live at the facility.

“I can’t help but love my job,” she says.  “I don’t know where I’m going or what I will be doing in ten years, but I know God wants me here now.  These residents need the love of God as much as anyone.  Even with the road bumps these children face, they are so happy.  Only God could put such a big smile on a child’s face.”

“I never really thought about God much in high school,” Sara muses.  “However, looking back, I can see that I was doing God’s work just by being an open and good listener.” She notes in amazement, “God worked through me even though I didn’t know it.”

Related Links

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Craig Talmage: In the Business of Serving God’s People[ ]Clint Mack: The Call to Use God’s Gifts for Others[ ]Dara Stull: At Work and Play in God’s Creation[ ]Reyna Purcell: Called to the Priesthood of All Believers[ ]Romi Pierce: One Step to Show the Way[ ]Kristina Diaz: The Evolution of a Call
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*[ ]Elizabeth Hartwell: Advocating for Families and Children[ ]Sam Schlouch: Planting the Seeds for Leadership[ ]Steven Thai: ONE Face in the Campaign to End Poverty and Disease[ ]Ben Sheets: Congregational Life 2.0[ ]Anurag Mani: Learning through Giving
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Peter Schattauer: Making College Admission Possible[ ]Olivia-Beth Horak: Seeing Is Believing[ ]Pete Warmanen: Forever a Child of God[ ]Sara Hitzeroth: Seeing God in a Child’s Eyes[ ][ ]Leslie Abell: Serving God at the South Pole