About Sarah
My Story
I am a writer whose life has been shaped by hardship, resilience, and an unwavering faith. I grew up in the aftermath of my parents’ painful divorce, and my sister and I spent years under the emotional and psychological control of a father who later became involved in a cult-like church. When I refused to submit, he turned his back on me, and I went to live with my mother.
I became a mother young and entered a marriage because I was told it was the “right” thing to do, only to face verbal and emotional abuse, addiction, and abandonment. Two more marriages followed—each marked by its own kind of pain, neglect, and betrayal—as I raised five children and fought through job losses, financial droughts, and failed businesses.
But through every dark chapter, I found a strength in myself that I didn’t know I had. My faith grew deeper, steadier, and more fierce. I believe with my whole heart that God has a plan for my life, and that none of my suffering has been wasted. Today, I write with honesty, courage, and hope—determined to use my story to uplift others, to show that healing is possible, and to remind anyone walking through their own storm that the future can still be beautiful.
Personal Life
I live on a quiet plot just outside Pretoria—a little pocket of peace where the city sounds fade and the birds do most of the talking. By day, I’m a Finance Manager, turning numbers into order; by night (and any stolen moment in between), I’m in my garden, covered in soil, lost in paint, buried in a book, or happily disappearing into a movie or my writing. When life grants me a slower afternoon, you’ll find me in the kitchen, cooking or baking something that makes my home smell like comfort. I’m rooted in my local cell group and involved with a nearby place of safety that cares for abandoned and abused babies—work that keeps my heart tender and awake. My world is beautifully full, woven together with my kids, my passions, my faith, and the quiet magic of everyday life.
Awards
Best Author Award 2016
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World's #1 Best-selling Book 2014
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NYT Best-selling Author 2013
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"As long as you're breathing, it's not too late. "
Sarah J. Smith
Follow @kathryn
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Need a Speaker for Your Upcoming Event?
If you’re looking for a speaker who brings honesty, strength, and hope to every room she enters, I would be honored to join you. My story spans heartbreak, resilience, faith, and the quiet courage it takes to rebuild your life again and again. I speak to women who have been wounded, silenced, overlooked, or pushed to the edge—and I remind them that their story is not over.
Through vulnerability and hard-earned wisdom, I share the truth that no matter how broken life feels, there is a way forward. There is always strength to be found, always hope to hold onto, always a new chapter waiting to be written.
If your event needs a voice that inspires women to rise, fight for themselves, believe in their worth, and choose life again, I would love to partner with you. Let’s create moments that encourage, empower, and spark transformation—one heart at a time.
