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I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.
Psalm 73:28 NLT

Spring.

Most people think of flowers blooming and trees budding. While I think of those things, my mind goes straight to tornadoes. Living in “tornado alley” most of my life, I remember as a child throwing coats and seasonal items frantically from the closet under the stairs. I hid there with my dog, cat, cage of mice or gerbils, and my flute, while my father, like most true Okies, stood in the yard watching the clouds! I have seen the destruction of these storms, big and little. So often spring makes my stomach churn– more as I am now the sole protector of my little band of Dyers.

While I was married, my husband would often call from work, telling me whether storms were coming to our side of town or tell me a national news story that just popped up on his computer. I loved the feeling of security that came from this man loving us and taking care of us. However, with his death came the added responsibility of protecting my family like I have never felt before.

One day the phone rang.

“Mrs. Dyer, this is such and such storm shelter company. Your friends have collected money to present your family with a shelter. When can we come to begin the process?”

Silence. I was struck silent! “Say that again, please?”

I was completely caught off guard!

The day before they were to come to install the shelter, I was reading my “One Year Bible” (which, as it turns out, will take me longer than one year) and came across this verse—my shelter is the Sovereign Lord.

As much protection as a shelter provides, my ultimate shelter must be the Sovereign Lord.

Storms come into our lives. Figuratively and physically. Big storms. Storms that rock our foundation. Storms that strip away everything we hold precious.

When the physical storms come, those who find shelter survive. Sometimes they survive with only their lives, stripped of everything material they held precious. I have seen the footage of people exiting their storm shelters, the view scarring them forever. The tears flow in gratitude for life itself.

Figurative storms of job loss, widowhood, and marriage failures will hit us. “In this world you WILL have trouble…” says John 16:33. Storms WILL come into our lives. And when we find our shelter in Christ, we will have peace (John 16:33).

News crews often interview the ones who have survived storms, finding the survivors speaking of the emotions they experienced or the lives that were saved as a result of the shelter. We also want to tell everyone about the wonderful things God has done for us – the peace He has given, the love He has shown, the verses He has brought to mind.

We aren’t finding shelter in “good vibes” or “positive thinking”. Our shelter is in God, the Creator. Let’s proclaim that fact without shame.

This spring, let’s be reminded of this truth. God is our shelter.

Need more verses to encourage your heart today? Jot these on a note card or stick to your bathroom mirror.

• Psalm 27:6 ESV: For he will hide me in his shelter, in the day of trouble…


• Psalm 31:20 ESV: In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men, you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.


• Psalm 61:4 ESV: …Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings


• Psalm 91:1 ESV: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty

Sovereign Lord, You are my shelter. Many storms have come, and I am thankful for the foundation of truth I have in You. Help me to always be ready to share Your wonderful deeds with all those around me. Amen