Many weeks when I sit down to write my weekly article, I have an idea of the direction I plan to write. Other times, I will sit down with no particular theme but usually within a few minutes I get into a flow from a thought that comes to me (I think from Holy Spirit). Many times I write from what is going on with me personally or those around me.

Yesterday, I was saying goodbye to my guests that had come to spend a few days with me. As they pulled out of my driveway, I noticed something flapping in the grass and went to see what it was. A baby bird (turned out to be a dove according to one of my friends who raises exotic birds, but knows a lot about birds in general) had obviously fallen out of its nest and was injured (a broken wing for sure). Being an animal lover/person, I knew I could not leave it out there. I picked it up and placed it in the palm of my hand and it immediately settled down and got quiet. I put it in a towel and brought it inside so that ants and gnats, which were trying to attack it, would not have access. I tried reaching out to a number of organizations, including my local vet to find out what to do. I looked at web sites but the more I tried, the less I felt like I would get a response. To make a longer story shorter, I went to bed with him still in that box, but knowing that I could wake up to a bird near death or dead. Mercifully, he died sometime in the night and once I was sure he was dead, I buried him out where two of my beloved pets are buried.

I was surprised at the emotions that rose in me during that short time and was reminded of the scripture in Matthew 10:29 where Jesus said that not a sparrow falls to the ground but that My Father knows it. He was aware of that sweet little baby bird whose life was shortened by an accident. I think He cares about each one of His creatures more than we can imagine. Matthew goes on to address us – the very hairs on our head are all numbered! Then He says “Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows.”

If we are made in His image and likeness that is a pretty good indication that our God has emotions that are expressed towards all that He has created. Can you imagine the joy that fills His heart when one of His human creations turns from darkness or rebellion or bitterness or any number of traps His and our enemy has imprisoned us in? No wonder our hearts cry out for the prodigals to return home. We know the nature and character of our heavenly Father and that He is just waiting for them to turn back towards “home”. What joy fills His heart when one of His sons or daughters finally get tired of “feeding the pigs” and starving for that which will nourish and sustain them.

The gospel song “His Eye is on the Sparrow” was penned in 1905 and made popular by Ethel Waters and more recently Mahalia Jackson and then Whitney Houston shortly before her death. “Why should I be discouraged? Why should shadows come? ….His eye is on the Sparrow and I know He watches over me.” “I sing because I am happy, I sing because I am free … I know His eye is on the sparrow… and I know He watches over me”.

What assurance! What confidence! Our God knows the most intimate details about each one of our lives and He actually cares about those details – the struggles, the challenges but also the victories that led to freedom and the revelations of His love which lead to confidence and security. I have meditated on this many times over the years and it never ceases to amaze me just how much He cares for each one of us and every detail of our lives.

As I held that little bird, knowing he was badly injured but realizing he actually took some comfort in my warm hand, I pondered just how much my heavenly Father cared for me and when I have needed His comfort and care the most, He was right there. None of us are exempt from some unexpected things happening in our life that could actually alter the plans and aspirations that we have dreamed about and that we were preparing our lives to pursue. Rather than stay in a place of anxiety or fear or frustration, rather than becoming bitter or not trusting the Lord to go with us through this valley, we can take comfort in His love and care for us in the most trying times of our lives.

I have stated often that even when I don’t understand, when all else fails, I can take comfort in knowing beyond any shadow or doubt, that God is good and He is trustworthy. Circumstances may be challenging and cause us to question God’s goodness and His faithfulness, but there are just a few things we need to remember and build our lives upon. If we do not have this foundation (the Rock) and find our sandy foundation is being eroded through the storms of life, we may not be able to withstand the adversity that seems to come to most everyone at some point in time.

“On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand… When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace… His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood, when all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay… on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

May I encourage you today to put your trust fully in His loving hands where He will comfort you even in the most devastating circumstances. We don’t always know what the outcome will be but if we can trust Him, He will work all things together for our good. Even that little baby bird served his purpose with his short life – he refocused my heart on the great compassion that our Father has for us and inspired this article. Perhaps something that was said today is also speaking to some of you.