One day a sparrow, winged in flight
Looked through our home and saw the light
Across the rooms, though not aware -
Between: a barrier, hard and clear.
It struck the glass, and then it fell
Onto the grass below, so still.
It rested there, in sleep or death.
And I was told it was for me.
“The Lord is using that small bird
To let you know that you are heard.
He cares about your path, you know,
He cares when you are feeling low
And crushed beneath a weight of dread.
He cares so much! You know it’s said
Within His Word - you’re valued more
Than that small bird, or many more.
“So that’s a sign to let you know,
Again, that you are in His care.
You need not fear, you need not dread
What may or may not come to be.
That’s unbelief, do not you see?
But only trust the One Who bore
The crown of thorns upon His Head;
The One Who suffered in your stead,
That you could fly to realms above
In faith, e’en now, but soon BE there.
“You’re safe in Him Who does not sleep
Nor slumbers, but doth ever keep
The ones who love Him, in His grip
‘til our last breath doth pass our lips,
Or, better still: He takes us up!
“We have His spirit and His word.
We have assurance that we’re heard.
We have His tender care, until
We’ve drawn our last, and we are still.
And then, e’en then, we have much more.
We’ve life with Him forevermore.”
So why do thoughts arise within?
Why do I fret? I know it’s sin.
He calls across the waves, “Fear not!
It’s I, be not afraid, nor caught
Within those thoughts that capture you
And drag you down and cause such harm.
It’s not My will that you should be
Enslaved by such anxiety,
alarm, and worry, little bird.
You are My own, and you’ve been heard.
“I am above all these details,
I calm the seas, I close the mouths,
I have these things in my control,
And that will ever be my role.
My angels, they do yet My will.
In time ahead, it will be still.
You’re safe! You’re clothed! There is a path
Marked out for you, and much green grass
To nourish you until I come
And take you home, with all my own.
“So look above, and look beyond
This scene around, there’s more to come
much more you should be looking for.”
Later that day, I walked outside.
I had forgotten that small bird.
Though well I know that He had not!
It was still there, the little thing.
Perhaps, later, it did take wing.
It gave me hope, and still it does.
It makes me mindful of His love.
It does remind me of His care,
The One for me, Who did not spare
His son, but gave, and gave and gave some more.
He promises to keep my mind
In perfect peace. So if I find
It wandering away, distressed,
I will just pray, and read His word,
And ask Him to return my thoughts to His sweet rest,
That He delights to give His own.
To focus on much better things:
To look on Him, and then, e’en sing!
There is so much, in Him, to cheer the heart.
To lift us up, above the earth,
To see the view of one who soars,
And is not bound by things below.
