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Listen while you read: "God Sees The Little Sparrow Fall"1 (Lyrics) |
Matthew 6:25-27 – Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (NIV)
Springtime brings feathered friends to our feeder. We still see some of the winter birds, but the little birds are returning and flocking to our feeder. To name just a few, we see finches in a variety of colours, woodpeckers, juncos, chickadees, and my personal favourite, the chipping sparrow.
I remember the first time when I saw this bird with a distinct red patch on its head and wondered what it could be. An Internet search gave me my answer — it was a chipping sparrow. Well, that added to my delight, as my long-time favourite hymn is God sees the little sparrow fall written by Maria Straub in 1874. When I was a child, oh, so long ago, this was a regular children's hymn during our weekly church service. Along with its easy-to-remember lyrics, it has a catchy little tune composed by Solomon W. Straub. I remember that I marvelled at the words of this song that showed how God knew me, loved me, and cared for me — ME — just a little child! I sang along loudly with the congregation this favourite song of mine, and although I know that I was usually off key, I certainly sang happily with joy in my heart. My sighting of the chipping sparrow brings back that wonder of my childhood.
The words and meaning of this song have resonated with me into adulthood. God shows us in the symbol of our feathered friends that He loves us and will care for us, so we do not have to worry. He will take care of us through all the trials and tribulations in life. Life never goes smoothly, as much as we may plan otherwise: illness, death of a loved one, relationship issues, financial woes, and more, but we can trust that God will take care of us through everything that life throws at us, and we need not worry or be afraid.
Matthew 10:29-31 – What is the price of two sparrows — one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. (NLT)
Prayer: Thank You, God, for the symbol of Your love and care for us, every moment, every day, as we see our feathered friends and nature all around us. Amen.
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Friday, July 26, 2024 – In Ethiopia — Pray for another vision trip to Addis, Ethiopia, to see various projects: water, small agriculture, and girls' education. Pray these visits will be a time of encouragement and support to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
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Thanks for the good reminder, Sharon.
Reassurance – – God loves us, God loves me – thank you for this reminder.
I share your delight and praise. Enjoy this May weekend.
(Manitoba)
Thank you, Sharon. This also reminded me of the song “His Eye Is On the Sparrow”.
I enjoyed your post, thanks for sharing and reminding us of God’s love, Sharon. Blessings to you!
Thank you for sharing and reminding us of God’s great love. Very much what is needed so early in the morning.
Just getting to read this now, Sharon. Good to see another devotion from you. Hope to see more in the future. Blessings!
Good morning, Sharon.
Thank you so much for another good devotional.
Blessings on your weekend.
Amen Sharon. This hymn is still one of my favourites and much sung while driving or working around the house. It’s truth is really quite too marvellous to wholly grasp.
Blessings.
Sharon
Good for you to help us on our way to learning more about God’s word and his teachings for us.
Thank you. Keep writing these gems.
Thank you, Sharon, for this delightful devotional today. Yes, we need be thankful that our Lord watches over everyone and everything of His creation which gives us so much beauty to enjoy. Keep enjoying singing out your favourite hymn and blessings for writing.
Hello Sharon
Thank you for this today, I too love that song from my childhood, and it still reassured me and encourages me to this day.
God bless.
Sharon,
Thanks for this devotional. It took me right back to singing in Sunday School and the impression made on me.
Blessings.
Hi Sharon,
Thanks for the reminder of God’s love. Your devotional also takes me back to my childhood when we sang all the children’s hymns at church and in Sunday school.
Blessings.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. I’m also fascinated with the birds at my feeders. Not so much with the robber squirrels who wrap their furry bodies around the feeder to work off the lid and scarf down every last morsel…not to mention what they spill all over the ground! Thank God for Jesus who rescues us from our own greedy tendencies. Blessings.
Sharon, Thank you for sharing that sweet song. It is new to me and I can see how those lyrics would be very special to a child as well as an oldster like me. When I was growing up, hearing the song “His Eye Is On The Sparrow, and I Know He Watches Me” was always an encouraging message. I greatly enjoy seeing tiny birds in the bird bath near my window and I marvel anew how they are cared for by our Father.
Thank you, Sharon, for today’s devotional! You took me on a trip down Memory Lane, prompting me to remember other childhood hymns learned in Sunday School. Those were the days when families joined together to worship a God who watches over all.
Keep up the good work, and thanks for the memories!
(ON)
Dear Sharon,
Thank you so much for your dear, inspiring devotional! How I remember and love that hymn. I have actually said it to myself from time to time as I like to pray the hymns. I am going through a difficult time with pain right now as I am awaiting surgery and have had a bad fall. I feel truly blessed by your offering today.
Blessings, Joy, Laughter, Gratitude.
Good Morning, Sharon,
Thank you for your thoughts this morning. We too love watching the birds at the feeder in our yard. Thank you too for some wonderful memories. My wife and I sat and sang that song together that has been lost in our memories for many years. Thanks again.
Blessings,
(Ontario)
Thank you, Sharon, for your thoughts on sparrows. They are often called a common bird but to me they are heroes. They are one of the few birds who will brave the cold Canadian winters by staying here and not flying south. They are steadfast and true in their affirmation of life in the midst of hardship. Children’s hymns stay with me to. There is something about the simple truth of children who are not far removed from God that places them a step above us in seeing what is true. Life is simple when it is easily understood. We complicate it as we grow older. Maybe unnecessarily.
Good morning, Sharon,
A good reminder to think of how much in the Bible they talk about that God values even the small birds so we can remember that God also loves us. I loved your story about singing along with the song you loved as a child. Memories from our childhood are magical and helpful.
The birds are singing a lot now in the spring, so it is a good reminder that God is watching over us also. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and faith. Blessings.
Thank you, Sharon, for an encouraging devotional today.
Hi Sharon,
I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful devotional you had today. I fondly remember the song also. We sang it in Sunday School. Thanks for sharing your memories of a song we all love.
Keep up the good work writing devotionals.
Blessings to you.
(Ontario)
Thank you for your devotional.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. I’m also fascinated with the birds at my feeders…not so much the robber squirrels. Blessings.
Hello Sharon,
I recently got the chance to read a lovely story by you the other day and it was about the feathered friends stepping on your feeder to feed themselves. God loves us more than we can ever imagine, and those who put everything in His hand will eventually see His hand in everything. Wishing you the best in your writing and looking forward to reading more articles from you.
(Saudi Arabia)