His eye is on the sparrow, and on us 113/366

"Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." Luke 12:6-7

It wasn't a sparrow egg I saw two weeks ago, it was a robin's egg. As a matter of fact it was hard to distinguish as an egg. Crushed, the thing that drew my attention was the contrasting darkness on the asphalt, stained by what had been inside the egg. I was sad-this little bird never stood a chance. And if birds have feelings, it's poor momma.

A few yards down from the death scene I found evidence that perhaps one of its nest fellows had made it and my heart was lightened.

Last week as I walked up Main street my heart was once again bruised. Not one, but three baby birds not even old enough to have their feathers, had been blown out of their nest and were scattered on the sidewalk. Death is never fair. Or pretty.

Sunday I found evidence of new life, of course I didn't actually see the baby bird. To protect their young, mommas take the empty shells and drop them far away from their nests so I didn't even search for their home. It was enough to see the empty shell and know there was hope for this one.

Yesterday, as I was finishing my walk, headed up College Street, there to my left, at my feet, was an adult bird. Another death. My heart was saddened once again.

Why do the deaths bother me so?

Why do the empty shells bring such joy?

They are "just birds", right?

Well, if God cares enough to see and keep track of them

I think their lives hold some importance.

And each evidence of them reminds me of just how close God is.

He keeps track of them

He keeps track of me

don't miss the extent of His attention to detail:

"Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." Luke 12:6-7

He numbers, not counts, the very hairs on our heads.

His love is personal.

His love is relentless.

Knowing those truths gives me peace.

They give me courage.

They give me comfort.

They give me strength.

They give me hope.

They are a refuge for my heart and soul and mind.