For the Birds … and the Bird Lover We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:22
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
If I could feed the birds for tuppence a bag I would. Instead, I drive several miles to buy cheap generic birdseed. Just outside our big kitchen window hang at least five bird feeders. They are close enough to provide a great view of our feathered friends who frequently flock past our family’s home.
Currently the hummingbirds are whizzing around the feeders in a frenzy. It is fun to watch as they dive bomb one another as if they are in an F16 dog fight. Nobody wants to let anybody stop for a drink of sweet nectar. It’s a wonder they make it back and forth across the Caribbean Ocean every year. Lately, there has been so much competition around the feeders that my back porch looks more like a mosquito swamp.
Twice we’ve had to rescue one of these little hummingbirds who has gotten trapped. Once in the neighbor’s garage and last Sunday under our porch. For some reason even these birds who can fly like helicopters can’t seem to figure out how to fly downward enough to escape the traps of human construction.
A few weeks ago as we were finishing dinner a cardinal also had a lapse in judgement and flew straight into our kitchen window. We all gasped and I quickly ran out the back door to see if there was anything I could do. The female was laying on our sidewalk just underneath the feeder and her mate was beside her. I picked her up to find she had broken her neck. I held her and as best I could tried to console her as the life slowly faded from her feathered body. I was moved to tears as I recalled the words of Jesus, “Not a sparrow falls to the ground outside your Father’s care.” I know this happens more times than I’d like to think, but thankfully not so frequently at our house.
This little birdie and I had quickly bonded and I found that I could not readily dispose of her tiny body. My husband reluctantly complied to get out the shovel and dig a small hole for her burial since our ground is particularly hard to toil.
This week has had its share of human tragedies also. It’s evident in the news, on social media and for some, heartbreak has struck closer to home or even beside your own back door. Without a doubt it’s a dog eat dog world and whether we find ourselves entrapped by either our own mistakes in judgment or as a result of an unavoidable accident, we know that in this world we will have trouble.
We live under the curse of sin. All creation struggles and suffers from the bondage to death and decay not by our own choice. Our true struggle in our dire circumstances and heartbreaking situations is to escape the trap of hopelessness and turn in hope to our Savior who is fully acquainted with our sorrows.
Not a single sparrow – not ONE – falls from the sky outside of our Father’s care – think and know how much more He cares for you! He has even counted the number of hairs on your head. All your days have been carefully ordained and written in God’s special book. He sees you. He knows you. He loves you! Your situation at this very moment does not surprise Him.
When you find yourself struggling, trapped in seemingly hopeless circumstances or are even lurking at death’s door, your loving Heavenly Father knows exactly where you are and what you need. He holds you in the palm of His hand. He promises to never leave nor forsake you and to be with you to the end.
As my pastor frequently reminds us, as children of God, “our worst case scenario is resurrection and everlasting life.”
For those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31