When our blog editor challenged us to pick a word for the year, I was first attracted to big words like “overcomer” and “boundaries.”  

But somehow -- and I’m not even sure how-- I realized I was not ready to tackle either of those straight on.

Indirectly, however? 

I thought about how those two words could come together. How they could intersect in one word that encapsulates both of those big, individually challenging words.

And that one word is shelter. 

Shelter is the word that perfectly demonstrates where I need to be right now, this year, in my life.

When I think of shelter, in terms of being an overcomer, I think of a refugee. I imagine a person worn out by war, famine, injustice, homelessness, or abuse. Her first step in overcoming her struggles is to seek shelter, a safe-haven.

In no way have I suffered any of those crises. Yet, I’ve emerged from an intense 2014, with a need to hunker down in a safe place before I go charging out into the world to overcome whatever faces me next.

As for boundaries, they build the shelter. Boundaries are structures of protection. They keep what is meant to be kept out, out, and what is meant to be kept in, in. They’re the walls that hold up the shelter. Personally, I need solid boundaries to protect my heart from burdens and to stop me from rushing out ahead of God’s plan for my life.

Psalm 91:1-2 says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

I’ve chosen to hunker down, to find safety and peace in the presence of my Father Almighty. I’ve chosen to dwell beneath His wing, to trust Him and take refuge.

I’ve chosen shelter.

What does the idea of shelter mean to you?

Kristy Rose is a Gen X homeschooling mom who sells Avon to support her writing habit. In 2006, God transplanted her to North Dakota. Moving to the state her great-grandparents homesteaded in 1903 and the ensuing adventures on the prairie have deepened her faith and given her a heart-felt understanding of God's amazing mercy and grace. You can get her take on pretty much everything at throughrosecoloredglasses.weebly.com. Read more JOY Blog posts by Kristy.