In the Storm

Above the Storms

By: Susan Deborah Schiller

In the series, "Letters to Readers"

He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dark rain clouds. – Psalm 18:11

To a mother who has lost her children through divorce with a sociopathic spouse… For when you feel lost in a thick fog, so far from Home. Silent groans become prayers as tears stream down wet cheeks.

Only a word from Papa will suffice.

From my journal, August 8, 2007, in a prayer letter I call, "Love from Papa":

"My cherished one, you will rise up and grow strong in Me. In this time of turmoil and darkness your anointing is growing. It is in the dark times that I come to nourish the soil of your heart.

I cherish this time of oneness, as you seek Me. I am hiding within you the seeds of favor. Darkness hides where I abide. Don't be afraid of the dark."

Father, I long to feel Your embrace. I am so tiny in Your sight. I long to be lost in Your embrace.

"Rise up. Come up higher."

Sometimes the only answer we get, in our pressing need, is "Rise up. Come up higher." Some answers can only be received in the higher realm, the Kingdom of God.

You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain while it blazed with fire to the very heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. — Deuteronomy 4:11

Our problems appears to us as mountains, and even God seems to be far off, so inaccessible. We draw near to God, anyway, and He draws near to us.

Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; — 1 Kings 8:12

The mountain is surrounded in thick darkness. We feel like we're stumbling and falling in a swirling fog.

Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. — Psalm 97:2

It does NOT seem GOOD to us to be is such deep misery. Why doesn't God intervene? Why do good people side with the evil, if only through turning their face and remaining silent?

Jesus taught us to speak to the mountain, to command it to move, and that if we had even a tiny speck of faith our problem, like a mountain, would be picked up and thrown into the sea.

Can we really change our circumstances and create our world? Can we simply dip our pens in blood and write the pain away?

Yes. This is what is means to "rise up" and to "come up higher". 

We change our perspective as we gain access to Heaven's throne room, through Jesus Christ. We listen to Heaven's conversation about our circumstances and we adopt Heaven's language. We create a new world for our children.

Stepchildren, adopted children, biological children, the neighbor's children, children in our schools, children in the streets, orphan children, grandchildren… all of the children who are in our sphere of influence.

Lionesses in the natural world take care of each other's children, in addition to their own. They live in community, cooperating together to get food and to protect their tribe. It's not about blood kin so much as about belonging to the Tribe.

We are the Tribe of Judah. We are lionesses. We roar when the enemy comes for any of these children. They are all our children… red and yellow, black and white. 

Are you still their momma?

Are you rising up? Are you roaring, if only in tears and groans? Have you listened and watched for Heaven's perspective? Are you speaking Heaven's language into and around their circumstances?

Then you are their momma. Cuz that's what mommas do. 

Some mommas are blood kin to their children but they are not mommas. Some mommas are not blood kin but they are mommas. 

Rise up, my friend! Come up higher, dear heart!

Listen to Heaven's conversation and let Heaven's language be on your lips. Words have the power to bring life. Words have the power to create. Create your world. Let your blood boil, dip your pen in its life-giving ink, and write the pain away.  

Rise up, above the storms… all it takes is a whisper, a hope, a quiet trust. Your Savior does all the rest. I hope this helps, dear heart!

With all my love,

Susan

Susan Schiller knows how it feels to lose everything: marriage and family, church and reputation, finances and businesses, and more. Susan's upcoming, interactive memoir, "On the Way Home," tells the story of how she came to be known as "the most abused woman" her counselors had yet met and how she learned to navigate her way out of hell to a rich and satisfying life. In her lifetime, Susan has served in duties ranging from home school mom – to pastor –  to full-time deliverance minister – and to Midwest regional prayer coordinator for a large international ministry. These days you can usually find Susan soaking in her favorite hot springs pool, reading a book (or several), blogging, baking bread, or hanging out with her family and friends. You can pre-order a free copy of Susan's upcoming book, "On the Way Home" by registering here.

Copyright 2014, Susan Schiller, http://TeamFamilyOnline.com.  For reprint permission for any private or commercial use, in any form of media, please contact Susan Schiller.