Shelter From the Storm

This post is by Jennifer Shultz.

 I live in Oklahoma, so with the beauty of life springing forth in what is literally called “Green Country” comes the threat of violence in the weather. Spring, also known in my neck of the woods as tornado season, is something that we who reside in the aptly named Tornado Alley look forward to, but also prepare for regularly. Storm shelters are swept out. Chairs are taken out and the cobwebs are washed away. Snacks and water are restocked and batteries are replaced in the radio. These items are just a matter of fact in the life of anyone who has ever heard the local meteorologist utter the phrase, “You must seek shelter to survive this storm.” 

As we check items off the list, prayers are often said that the greenish hue and swirling motion of the sky coupled with the smell of dirt on the rain do not signify that something wicked is headed our way. More times than I can count, we are prepared and watching red and green graphics tracking toward our home and things dissipate before we have to rush like Dorothy and her family in the Wizard of Oz. 

Does that mean that we do not prepare? Any self respecting Okie would just shake their head at that thought and sit back down on the porch swing while they watched the wall cloud move to the east. I think that attitude of preparation serves well not just with tornadoes, but also in our relationship and time spent with God.

Life is full of swirling clouds and stormy weather. After a year like 2020, it is almost expected. Life got crazy. For many of us, it still is. So, how do we prepare for that? 

The answer is as simple as it is complex- we equip ourselves to weather the storm by drawing closer to God. Making time to draw in close to God, for studying His word, and for talking as well as listening to His guidance is absolutely integral. 

There will always be storms. 

There will be disappointments when things do not go as we expect. 

There will be trials that feel so overwhelming you cannot see the other side. 

There will also always be a Waymaker. 

Meeting daily with God and hiding His word in your heart… those can be life preservers when seas get stormy. I would go a step further and say that we need to do these things before we do anything else. If I begin my day by bolstering my faith and carve out the time to just be still with God, the entire scope of my day changes because my attitude changes. 

I am a work in progress, but I will say that I am learning to listen better when I am told that I should seek shelter specifically when that shelter is found at the feet of the Most High.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

Jen is a small town, Oklahoma girl married to a superhero. Together, they are raising a family on second chances, shiplap, and a shoestring. She is a firm believer in grace, organization, and efficiency. She finds great satisfaction in taking broken items and giving them new life, likely because that is exactly what God did for her. She over uses the word shine, exclamation points, and emojis. She cheers too loud in the stands of her kids’ activities and hugs more than is socially acceptable. A natural born encourager and armchair warrior, she is learning to redefine her mission field and make the most of each day she is given. She has recently been promoted from breast cancer warrior to breast cancer survivor. She’s chronically ill and chronically positive- not necessarily in that order. She is learning to practice perseverance over perfection and longs for the day she gets to see her grandparents and Jesus’ face. Until then, she is just looking for Grace in the Grind.

Photo by Jean-Luc Crucifix on Unsplash