Jehovah Shammah: The Lord is There

I’m currently reading Jodi Eareckson Tada's devotional book The Presence of Jesus. Today’s excerpt was titled "The Lord is There." Also, I recently studied this name of the Lord (along with many others) in Kay Arthur's book "Lord I Want to Know You." The name for The Lord is There, is Jehovah Shammah. In April of 2025, I was invited to share my story at a local hospital. I remember one of the nurse leaders opening the meeting with a devotion, speaking on how The Lord is There; even in the operating room. I know it was a God ordained appointment because just that morning I had read about how the Lord is there.

 Our Jehovah Shammah!

My mom helping me bathe Chloe Anne.

Let’s go back to the fall of 2019. I was just arriving home, and I remember vividly as we were driving home from trick or treating, and I broke down crying. Besides crying in the ECMO ICU when I failed my breathing test for like the third time, in the car that evening was the first time I shed a single tear since awaking from my coma. I’ll be frank. I did not feel like the Lord was there. He felt so distant. I was in pain daily. I was exhausted. Partly due to having a newborn and partly due to my extensive rehab schedule. But, my dear reader, I was wrong. Oh, so wrong. 

Even though it didn’t feel like it, the Lord was there! is there!

He was counting every tear that fell. 

He was encouraging me during every rehab appointment.

He was comforting during every sneeze that felt like a punch tothe chest, as it shook my healing sternum. 

Allow me to encourage you with this. It doesn’t always feel like it, but the Lord does not leave us or forsake us. Our Jehovah Shammah is there, right in the midst of your perinatal trauma.

He's also there amid your subsequent healing.