by Jan Null
Late last spring, a pair of robins chose to build a nest in the rafters under our back porch. Ed and I watched carefully as they prepared for their little family. Whenever we would walk past the nest, they would fly and chirp with great disgust that we should dare enter their territory, but one morning I heard quite a commotion. One of the hatchlings had fallen out of the nest and was thrashing on the deck. The fuzzy little guy needed help.
After informing Ed that we had a baby bird crisis, he donned goggles, thick gloves, and carried a dustpan and ladder over to the baby bird. The two parents were sounding the alarm with VERY loud chirping and flying back and forth. That didn’t stop Ed. He leaned down, gently slid the little bird onto the dustpan, and began to climb the ladder. He gently returned the tiny bird back into his home.
As I thought about this, I pondered all the moments in my life when I was down for the count like that little defenseless bird. I remembered times of deep frustration, fatigue, uncertainty, and lack of direction. It was in those moments that I was reminded how the Lord had picked me up and found a safe nesting place for me. Isn’t that just what our heavenly Father does? He sees us in our dilemma of sin, brokenness and despair. He alone is our rescuer. Because of God’s great love and kindness, he reaches out to us, picks us up, and returns us to a safe place under his wings.
“Not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are numbered. So do not be afraid, you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” | Matt. 10:30-31
This verse reminds us of several truths. He knows precisely where you are! He knows you. He is the God who rescues.
As a little girl, one of my favorite hymns was His Eye is on the Sparrow. The hymn was written by Civilla Martin in the spring of 1905. Their friends, the Doolittles, were dear saints who lived with daily challenges. Mr. Doolittle was an incurable cripple who propelled himself to and from his business in a wheelchair each day. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for 20 years. Despite their many afflictions, they lived with joy and great hope. After a three day visit, Civilla asked, “How do you walk day to day with such joy and peace? What’s your secret?” Mrs. Doolittle’s response was simple. “His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.” The beauty of that response led Civillia to pen the words that were later set to music by Charles Gabriel. It is a hymn of great comfort that reminds us of God’s care for each of us even in the midst of great faith and pain. In the Gospel of Matthew, we find these familiar words:
Don’t be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow or reap, nor gather into barns, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? | Matt. 6:25-26
It’s true, God’s eye is on the sparrow and he is also watching YOU and me. Nothing takes him by surprise. Not that wayward teen, not the frustration at work, not the rocky communication in your relationships, not the unfulfilled dreams. He is always there. He values you immensely! He sees you broken, lying on the porch like the baby robin. He is ready to pick you up and return you to his safe refuge. Psalm 91:4 affirms this:
He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings, you will find refuge. His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
The feathers infer a warm soft place of safety. Under his wings, there is a place of protected love. A rampart symbolizes God’s complete, unwavering, fortified protection. Oh, how incredible is the Father’s love for you!!
In my robin story, I was the one who noticed and Ed was the one who showed up. God also uses you and me to encourage, comfort, and care for each other. We can be his tangible hands and feet. There are many direct commands in Scripture on how we should interact with one another. Love one another, care for one another, encourage one another, forgive one another, and be kind to one another.
Encourage one another and build each other up. | 1 Thess. 5:11
While we celebrate our heavenly Father’s watchful care, let’s also seek ways to lovingly care for one another in the body.
Some of us carry troubles and challenges that are totally obvious. Others can see the need and reach out to help and encourage. We offer words of support or lend a loving hand. Others carry hidden challenges and others would never know the pain inside. God calls us to be connected within the body so those tough burdens that are humbling and less comfortable to share can be brought into the light. As a body, we need to explore ways to build the church with a strong sisterhood and brotherhood. We need to be proactive in that way. It most certainly would be a reflection of our Father’s heart. So be reminded that God’s watchful, loving eyes are on YOU today. And in the midst of your daily schedule, listen to the nudge from the Holy Spirit. Make that phone call, reach out to the one that God lays on your heart, and seek to minister to those who need a word of hope today.
Jan Null is a member of Living Hope Church. She attends and serves with her husband, Ed, and her son, David.
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