If He Cares for the Little Sparrows……
I’m sitting here in Tulsa at Mom’s breakfast table, looking out at the 17th fairway of the golf course, but what captured my attention was the little sparrows jumping from limb to limb in the huge tree that she and Dad planted 25 years ago. Those little sparrows are having a hay-day chirping, playing and probably eyeing another meal for this day.
My word for today is SPARROW: a small Finch-like bird with brown and gray plumage. How’s that for a nominal definition for what seems to be a very mediocre bird? Even the Bible mentions the sparrow as the offering made by the very poor in Matthew 10:29: “Two sparrows were sold for a farthing (1/4 of a penny).” Talk about little value!!! The rest of that scripture says “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? Yet, not one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father’s permission.” And, verse 31 goes on to assure us…”So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
I remember a few years ago when my sweet Alexia Wallace found a little sparrow that appeared to be wounded. She ran in to get plastic gloves on, for what we didn’t know. She ran back outside and picked up a little sparrow and tenderly held him. She brought him to me to see her newfound friend. She saw his leg was twisted underneath him and when she straightened it out, she took him back outside and his family showed up. He was able to fly away to meet up with them. All he needed was someone to help him out of his tangled mess.
In all of His world of duties and responsibilities and with all the crises, turmoil and issues in this world, I like to believe that God saw that little bird and his plight, and he nudged a little girl to go outside to rescue that little bird. Why wouldn’t I believe that story? God said He cares for the little sparrow and wouldn’t let one fall to the ground without His permission?
Then there are His children — His creation, also, and worth so much more to Him. After all, He gave His one and only Son for us. I thought about us and those in our lives, who are tangled all up in circumstances and situations that have left us paralyzed — unable to move forward — unable to progress — unable to be free. God cares so much about us that He is nudging someone, orchestrating situations, setting up divine appointments for us to be rescued.
And I think about how we could help that one — like Alexia did — to lend them a hand or give them a word of encouragement or to pray with them or to put an arm around them – to help get them out of their tangled mess.
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If God cares so much about the birds of the air (or, in the case of this little bird), that He would bring a little girl to his aid, how much more does He care about you and me? And, how much more does He ask that we be His hands and heart extended to those around us to give them the help, hope, and support they need to get out of their tangled mess?
What if we could be the answer to someone’s prayer today? What if that “someone” was our assignment from God? If it’s to be for those around us…..it could be up to you and me, to be the difference maker in their lives.
I love this old song “His Eye is on the Sparrow” – as you read these words…realize how much He cares for you today.
Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heaven, heaven and home?
When, Jesus is my portion, my constant Friend is He;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watched, watched it over me.
I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free.
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know, He watches over me.
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