Some days, real life is more outrageous than fiction. But sometimes, everyday moments are God’s intended miracles. Angela Donadio’s new book, Astounded: Encountering God in Everyday Moments, is a collection of raw personal stories that show us how to keep our eyes peeled for the miracle hidden in life’s ordinary and even messy moments. Astounded offers 52 devotions filled with heartfelt stories, humor and hope.
In Episode 35 of the Make Life Matter Podcast, Angela shares topics she covers and one of the devotions, “Take Shelter.”
Purchase your copy of Astounded at angeladonadio.com or anywhere books are sold.
Excerpt From ‘Take Shelter’
Sometimes life pulls out in front of us when we least expect it. In February of 2020, 10 seconds shifted every area of my life for months to come. As I made my way through a green light at 45 mph, another driver failed to yield. Instinctively, my hand hit the horn and my foot hit the brake. The impact of the collision deployed my air bag, causing a severe concussion and injuries to both hands and wrists. The first few weeks unfolded with doctors’ visits and forms galore. X-rays on my wrists proved inconclusive, necessitating an MRI. My injured hand throbbed as they flattened it inside a clamp. My head pounded from a concussion-induced headache. My heart ached from a tumbled mix of unwelcome emotions—disappointment, frustration, fear. Sigh.
Tears fell amid whirls and bangs as I lay on my back and stared up at the ominous machine. I questioned why I was on this all-too-familiar road of recovery once again. God comforted my weary mind, body and spirit with the words of Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV): “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.'” Even though life is unpredictable, God’s character is unchanging. He is our shelter. Our refuge. Our fortress. No matter what.
His shelter is healing balm to a battered soul. Psalm 91:14-16 offers eight reassuring promises to those who love and trust in the Lord: “‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.'”
He rescues us.
He protects us.
He answers us.
He is with us in trouble.
He delivers us.
He honors us.
He satisfies us with long life.
He shows us His salvation.
He leaves us astounded.
Listen to the full episode of Make Life Matter on the Charisma Podcast Network here. {eoa}
Curt Landry 
Michael L. Brown 
Rabbi Eric Tokajer