This growing season, I found a nest in Lazarus, my grape vine. I kept an eye on it as it was being built up, mainly from the straw covering my garden, but you can see some dead plants and grass in there too. Recently, I found three beautiful eggs. I've seen the parents going about the nest. This is a chipping sparrow nest with three eggs.
This is the second year in a row that we've found a nest with eggs close to the house. Last year, a family of house finches set up camp on our door wreath. I love birds, and seeing this is always a treat from God. New life is special and I'm honored that the birds have chosen my vine.
Seeing as this is a sparrow nest, I'm reminded of this verse:
"'Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?Yet not one of them shall fall to the ground apart from your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are worth more than many sparrows.'" (Matthew 10:29-31 TLV)
Jesus is teaching His disciplines in this chapter. He starts by giving them their commission to go proclaim the Kingdom of God in Israel and heal in Jesus' name. He gives them some great advice, including shaking the dust off your sandals and being wise as serpent but as innocent as doves, but He also gives them reassurance to their own fates. They may not be received well in the towns they go to witness in, but they should not be afraid. Don't feel that God has abandoned you to the wolves, He says, but remember that God always keeps an eye on you.
God watches the sparrows, which are sold for half a penny each in the market. Sparrows are such unbelievable small birds that have a natural camouflage. I've had times where I look at the empty lawn, only for one bird to move, and then a dozen follow it. They are quite easy to escape the eye. Each of these hidden little birds is being watched by the Almighty. If God watches the sparrow, He is certainly watching you, a human being made in His own image and worth more than many sparrows.
This verse is the main inspiration for the gospel hymn 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'. This fantastic song is a balm for the soul, reassuring us that God's got His eye on us. We need not worry about what others think, but be secure in the fact that Jesus is with us no matter where we are.