His Eye is on the Sparrow, and I Know He Watches Me

My hands still hold the warmth of the little bird who just drew her last breath. I first noticed her tucked into a little safe spot in the roots of my Brazilian Pepper tree. Fully feathered, I was hoping she was being tended to by her parents who were, no doubt, near by. Excited to see what I thought would be a beautiful time of nature-watching, I poured a cup of tea and settled in near the window to watch the sweet baby bird.

Hours went by. Mama and Papa bird were nowhere to be seen. Not once had they checked in on baby bird. Intending only to do a welfare check, I went to have a closer look. Baby bird was clearly distressed, with what appeared to be a bulging bubble on one side of her throat. Very carefully, I picked her up and staged her in an area where I frequently saw the birds which I presumed were her parents. Again, I settled in to watch.

Matthew 10:29-31 “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”

Matthew 33:26 ” Observe intently the birds of heaven; they do not sow or reap or store into storehouses, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are?”

Sparrows are cheap. Birds are cheap. Recently, we traded oranges and macadamia nuts for 2 dozen fertile eggs, which are currently incubating, and in a week, baby chickens will hatch! Talk about a cheap trade! No matter the monetary value or lack thereof, God knows the comings and goings of each and every bird on earth . . . in great detail! He knows what each bird eats, where they nest, where they roost, and when they die. Not one feather on one bird goes unnoticed by the God of the universe who created them. The 24 eggs in my incubator are currently being cared for and nurtured by THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE, and . . . . you may need to sit down for this . . . YOU are worth more than they!

The hairs of your head are numbered, not one falls to the ground without your Father being aware, and causing another to grow in it’s place. He loves YOU with amazing detail!

Baby bird was not doing well, and was growing weaker. I decided to offer a drop of water, which was accepted well; she enjoyed 4-5 drops. Once again spotting the birds I thought were her parents, I placed her where they could easily find her and again, I settled in to watch nature work.

As the sun began to set, I realized her parents were not going to return for her, and she would certainly die during the night. Scooping her up in my hands, I cradled her and gave her my love and my warmth. It was clear she was dying, and I knew I could not let her die alone.

She had worked so hard . . . breaking out of that shell, growing her feathers, leaving the nest, attempting independence, but it was all too much for this little bird and for whatever reason, it was time for her to go. I cupped her in my warm hands, and talked to her and stroked her throat and head until the moment she exhaled her last breath. Then I cried.

I held her little feathered body to my lips and cried because I knew just how deeply the Father loved this little one, and how perfectly He created this little masterpiece.

Isaiah 49:15 “Although a woman can forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb, I will not forget you!”

You, my friend are so entirely loved by your Father! He knows and loves everything about you! He created you to be with Him forever! He counts your tears and preserves them in a bottle. He has numbered and loved every hair on your head, no, your entire body!

It is HE who gives you HIS warmth and love and holds you in HIS hands to comfort you.

Some may not understand why I would weep at the passing of the sweet baby bird who I cradled in my hands. I am sorry for those who don’t understand, for they don’t understand the deep, deep love of the Father for His creation. The deep, deep love of the Father for you. For you. YOU.