Sheltered: God's Grace in Life's Darkest Storms - Paperback

Price, Paulette A.: - Paulette A. Price, also known as "Sista P," is the eldest of five siblings and was born in the small district of Granville in the West Indies. At an early age, she was reared by her maternal grandparents after her mother migrated to the United States in search of a better life. Her grandparents were devoted Christians whose faith shaped the foundation of her life. Except in times of illness, they were seldom absent from church. Through their example, Paulette and her siblings were taught to love, trust, and reverence God. Church was not simply a place they attended on Sabbath; it was the center of their lives. Morning and evening worship, prayer before meals, and unwavering faith in challenging times became deeply rooted in the family. After the passing of her grandfather, her grandmother was left to raise four grandchildren alone. Resources were limited, and there were many days when the future seemed uncertain. Yet Paulette vividly remembers hearing her grandmother cry out to God in prayer, and time after time, God faithfully provided a way. As the oldest child, Paulette quickly found herself carrying responsibilities far beyond her years. When her grandmother left for work early in the mornings, the care of the household often rested on her shoulders. At only twelve years old, she became like a second mother to her younger brothers and sister. While other children spent their afternoons playing carefree games, Paulette was learning how to manage a home. Each weekday began before sunrise. She made sure the younger children got out of bed, washed, dressed properly, and prepared for school. Shoes had to be found, uniforms straightened as neatly as possible, hair combed, lunches prepared when there was food available, and disagreements settled before the long walk to school. Some mornings were chaotic. One child could not find a sock, another complained about a missing book, and another simply did not want to get out of bed. Paulette learned patience quickly because there was no room for failure. There were moments when she felt as if her childhood had been taken from her too soon. Responsibility became her daily companion. Five days each week she repeated the same routine-caring for children while still being a child herself. Though the burden was heavy at times, those years taught her endurance, sacrifice, discipline, and unconditional love. The weekends became her refuge. On Friday evenings, her grandmother would take over the responsibilities of the home, and Paulette could finally breathe a little easier. Church on Sabbath became the place where her spirit found rest. She loved the music, the fellowship, and especially singing. Whenever she stood to sing, the worries and pressures of life seemed to disappear, if only for a moment. Music became an outlet for her pain and a source of healing for her soul. Even as a young girl, she found comfort in the presence of God. At the tender age of eleven, Paulette surrendered her heart to Christ during a six-week evangelistic crusade. Night after night, she listened intently as the Word of God was preached. Deep within her heart, she felt God calling her to something greater. That decision to give her life to Christ became the turning point of her life. Since that life-changing experience, she has desired to walk closely with God and grow deeper in faith with each passing day. Through hardship, disappointment, sacrifice, and storms she could never have imagined, the lessons learned in that humble home in Granville would remain the anchor that carried her through life.