“I have always wanted a bird of my very own! Just look,Mammy. I found a bird!”
Everyone else was looking at the sunset and waiting for the fireworks to begin. It’s the biggest thing that happens annually in Maysville and the whole community turns out. There’s homemade ice cream and yard games for the kids and then a fireworks show that rivals any rural show in the state of Alabama. And while everyone was looking up, Eliza Jane was looking down…rescuing the little bird with the broken wing.
Sometimes it’s watching the path I’m walking that makes the difference. While everyone else was preparing to witness the bright and loud and impressive, Eliza’s big take-away from the fireworks show was a tiny bird that prompted a series of calls to some bird rescue habitats, and. finally ended in the night, in the quiet death of Lena.
I’m not even sure what kind of bird Lena was, but she reminded me that our God sees the sparrow that falls.
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
It’s powerful to know that the One who formed the heavens–the amazing backdrop to the display that was erupting in that celebration of patriotism; the God who ordered the sun that was setting, to give it’s light by day, and the moon that was rising to show His glory by night–that God was aware of a single baby bird in the hands of a little girl who desperately wanted to mend the bird. What’s even more profound is that He tells me not to fear; He knows how many hairs are on my head and He values me. That’s the God who knows that, without a rescue, I am dying. And He has provided that rescue for me.
Much to Eliza’s disappointment, we couldn’t save the bird. Lots of little lessons emerged from the tiny little failed rescue mission. It’s never lost on us that our power, even in tiny things, is so small. But God has never experienced a failed rescue mission. And we are so very thankful!
Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear. (Is. 59:1)
