Shelter
Susan Yates
 March 19
Lately I’ve been thinking about shelter. In times of economic crisis, we long for a shelter; when fears of every type overwhelm us, we long for protection. When we are afraid, we want to run for safety. And we want to shelter and protect our children and grandchildren.
Recently, when we were in Africa, I watched a mother elephant shelter her baby. The baby actually hides most of the day under the belly of its mother. Her body shelter is crucial, for without it the baby elephant’s tender skin would become sunburned and peel away. Without the warmth of her body, the baby would get too cold when the sun goes down and become sick. The baby elephant is not aware of the dangers “out there,” but his mother knows and she anticipates and provides what he needs. The baby elephant merely knows he needs to stay within the shelter of his mother.
As I marveled over these magnificent creatures and the maternal instinct of the elephants, I was reminded of how much our Father God wants us to seek shelter in Him. He knows what’s “out there.” He alone really knows our needs and what our future holds. When I stay close to him, I sense His protection. I rest in His shelter and rely on His covering. Oh how thrilling it is to catch glimpses of His character revealed in his creation. He is forever giving us pictures of His character in nature. If only we would take the time to listen and to notice, our vision of his love and his care would be enlarged.
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the almighty. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings” (Psalms 91:1 & 61:4). | 
