Not one sparrow...

     As I walked into the kitchen this morning, I heard it: a hard thump.  O no!  Another bird must have run into our big kitchen window overlooking the backyard.  Always such a sad sound.  But then, suddenly, I heard it again--thump.  What on earth?  Another bird?  And then yet, a third hard thump...but this time I looked up to see a tiny sparrow inside our kitchen.  Such a pathetic sight to see him darting about, flying desperately and hopelessly at the windows, then repeatedly dropping to the floor, stunned.
       We couldn't imagine how he found his way inside our house--except perhaps somehow or other managing to squeeze through a small crack in the screen door.  Goodness, must have required some impressive arial gymnastics to pull off that one.
     But we knew time was short.  We had to figure out a way to help him get outside again before he broke his neck flying into our windows.  My husband went towards him with a towel to try to gently pick him up from the floor, but the sparrow revived and flew towards the kitchen door.  Alas, I had opened the door but hadn't yet opened the screen, so he fell back hard once again.    And this time he didn't move.
     Richard carefully picked him up and took him outside and lay him on the ground.  But things didn't look good--he lay there listlessly on his side, still and quiet.
     A few minutes later, Peter and I left to run by his favorite gourmet eating establishment--Chick-fil-A--and there was the little sparrow on the ground, still unmoving.  I know this is pitiful, but I felt so forlorn.  I love birds, and it was so sad to see one of these delicate little creatures die on our watch.  Peter and I said a quick prayer for him (though without much hope).  Ironically, when we arrived for our fine dining experience of nuggets and hash browns, the first thing we glimpsed outside Chick-fil-A  was a bunch of this little fellow's cousins flitting about the tables, picking up crumbs.      
     I couldn't help but think of Matthew 10:29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But even the hairs on your head are all numbered.  Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows."
     "O thank You, Father," I whispered.  Thank You for the reminder that You are sovereignly in control of all things--even this one little insignificant sparrow that fell in our house.  Think of all the sparrows!  They're everywhere--simply innumerable! Yet our Heavenly Father knows of every single one...and if the Creator cares about one nameless tiny sparrow, then how much infinitely more does He love, tend, and provide for us, His children, made in His image and saved by His Son?  
      Today, whatever might be facing us, let's choose to "Fear not."  Why?  Because the Almighty Creator and Sustainer of the universe sees us individually, knows us intimately, loves us unconditionally, forgives us completely, and cares for us perfectly.  So whatever His plans for us this day, we will rest and trust in Him.
     And by the way, when we got home from Chick-fil-A, that little sparrow had recovered and flown off into the wild blue yonder!  So might need to add to that list--He's also our Daddy who answers prayers powerfully--even the little ones!  To God be the glory.