Shelters, refuges, and tornadoes are all synonymous during springtime in Texas. While not all hail storms and tornadoes damage homes, nor are they all deadly; we never know which one will be the funnel or storm that drops out of the sky to decimate our dwelling and our life. But we understand—prepare before the storm exists, lest you be caught unprepared.
Very early each year news reports warn folks to designate a place in our houses as a safe place, where the family knows to run and remain during one of these treacherous-devil-twisters.
Inevitably these warnings come after dark; and during the early years of writing my now published YA novel Roped, I would gather everything Roped (as well as the other four books I’m working on) and head for our designated shelter—the laundry room.
But one evening, while the grandchildren were with us, the storm was upon us before we realized the need to dash for cover, and we couldn’t make it to the laundry room. While I huddled in the bathtub with my precious little ones and all their stuffed animals and pillows, husband stood with neighbors on the back patio watching the clouds rotate overhead, striking less than ten miles north of us.
It’s prudent to pick out a designated shelter, wait for the weather radio, or TV, or upside-down-ant-hill clouds to shriek a warning the funnel is on the ground near you, then dash inside—when you’re home. But where do you flee for shelter when there is no storm alert? When there’s no storm shelter, only the screaming freight-train of wreck and ruin gaining on you?
Loss of a loved one, terminal illnesses, financial ruin, rebellious teens in trouble again, a mate who demands freedom, job loss—the list is endless. Storms of adversity whip around us each day. Where is your designated shelter, and how do you find your way inside, out of harm’s way? To peace and security?
David tells us: “For Thou hast been my stronghold. And a refuge in the day of my distress…for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness” (Psalm 59:16-16 NAS).
Yes, Jesus is our refuge, but you have to know the way into that place of comfort and peace. And it is much better to practice running to Him during peaceful times, rather than waiting until you’re swirling, injured in the chaos.
So in the quietness, before the storm, take advantage of the lull. David also instructs us:
“My soul wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:5-8 NAS).
The key to peace and comfort through the storm, is learning to practice peace and comfort before the storm strikes.
I have two quiet places. Places I meet the Lord. My chair in our family room, with my Bible and a cup of tea, before the turmoil of the day begins. And (weather permitting) the swing in my backyard.
Where do you meet the Lord? Have you designated an everyday shelter from the threatening storms?
My personality screams of my need to learn to be still and quiet before Him. And I can tell you I don’t always make it to the shelter before the storm breaks. It takes lots of discipline and determination and I’m easily distracted. Because the wind in this Texas home whips from the time my feet hit the floor. And if I am truthful, probably before that, like when I open my eyes. Winds of urgency and pride, deceptive winds whispering, I’ve got to…
Rather than sitting in quietness, listening to the day’s weather report and warnings from my Sovereign God, letting Him order my day.
It’s not enough to know where your place of safety is, you’ve got to have traveled to that designated shelter over and over again, so even in the darkness of a storm you instinctively listen—
“And your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it’ “(Isaiah 30:21 NAS). “ ‘I will never dessert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?’ “(Hebrews 13:5-6 NAS).
MOVING THE ANCIENT BOUNDARIES 
What an interesting blog. I can relate in so many ways. We were almost caught in a tornado once, but took refuge in a Cracker Barrel. We were so welcomed by the manager and stood with lots of travelers in the hall between the two bathrooms. When it was over and we got out, everything on the other side of the road was leveled. Interesting that you wrote a lot of Roped in the laundry room. My shelter for life’s storms is prayer anywhere anytime.
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Thank you, Gail. Tornadoes are frightening and you are so blessed not to have suffered injury, but I know it scared the beejeebers out-a-you. I didn’t write in the laundry room, I toted my manuscripts and computer in there for safety sake…:)
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loveLoveLOVE! Only one thing. Watch and wait for the funnel cloud then tell it to go up! We have authority over the winds as He did. We’ll do the works He did and greater. One of those things is to speak to the winds! That way, no one gets hurt. Not you, your precious grandsugars, or your neighbors. Whenever I hear of a bad twister, I always think…’Was there no one with the faith to speak to it? Tell it to go back up from whence it came? It makes me so sad.
But I LOVE how you made the analogy of those life storms that hit like a twister and how we run to Him…always! 🙂 Hallelujah!
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Thank you Caryl for your words of wisdom from the Word.
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Jesus is truly our strong tower where we can run into and be safe. Thanks for a beautiful reminder.
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You are welcome, Karen. In these troubled times we must look for reminders to keep us focused on the sovereignty of our God. My prayer is that I will not stumble into deception in these dark times.
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I wholeheartedly agree. Lord be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths.
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Growing up in the Dallas area, I lived with a shelter in the back yard. We called it the storm cellar and went frequently. Dad went first to make sure no snakes or spiders were present, and then insisted, no demanded the rest of the family to come down. I hated it. I vowed I wouldn’t go in another one when I grew up, but I’ve changed my mind after seeing damage from deadly tornados.
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That’s my neighbor’s shelter, and I cringed just looking inside, but tornadoes are worse. But I’m sure being a pastor’s wife and teaching yourself you see, like I do in GriefShare, the lives spiritual tornadoes have wrecked. Jesus is our shelter, our stronghold, and our refuge. Praise His holy name!
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DiAne, this is such a great message! It took me back to my Texas roots as I recalled the seemingly endless tornado drills we did during my school days and the nightmares they invoked in a child’s heart.
Our Lord is our refuge and protects us from the spiritual tornadoes of life. Remembering that makes everything so much easier to deal with. j
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And I have a dear friend that is living in a spiritual tornado alley right now. She fills in for me in GriefShare. We’ve both lost children, last year she lost her husband, Then a few months ago her mother was diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s. I heard and saw the fire truck and ambulance go toward Deborah’s house an hour ago. It was her mother, Rose. Don’t know any details about the mother, but please pray for Deborah. She’s a strong believer but grief after grief is like living with a string of tornadoes.
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What a wonderful article, DiAne! Thank you so much for sharing it!
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Thanks Danele.
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