For you have been my refuge, a strong tower…I long to ..take refuge in the shelter of your wings.  Psalm 61:2-4  

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10  

The young owl was venturing out on his own, enjoying the sunshine and soft breeze. He sat stock still in the marked off spot for an endangered species.
 
I couldn’t quite get the photo I was after. Slowly I tiptoed closer, full camera lens magnification on. His tiny head swiveled around checking out possible approaching danger.

Just as I zoomed in the baby ground owl disappeared from view. I was too close for comfort, and that bird was scared and stressed.
 
Leaning in, I cautiously put my face near the eight inch poly pipe only to see – not the baby ground owl, but his not-at-all happy mother. Her head was all fluffed up nearly filling the space, totally protecting her young one somewhere behind her. She looked intimidating enough that I dared not step any closer.
 
I snapped this picture of the Mom ‘on guard’; and thought how this scenario was a reminder that when I’m feeling overly stretched and stressed, it’s good to remember where to go.  I can run to our strong tower, our father God. He is waiting, arms stretched out wide, to shield and protect us.

That’s good news.

Sally Ireland Kennedy is the author of Irish Thursdays: More Little Parables, Words from the Heart, and 52 Little Parables from Ireland. She is a songwriter and the creator of Poppy the Penguin® preschool music video series. Sally lives in south Florida, with her husband Ben