We Are Like Birds - So Fragile and Vulnerable. . .

Just last week, on the way home from school, I was driving past Kent State University, the sun bright, blazing, and blinding in the mid-afternoon hours.  I had my visor pulled down over the top of the windshield so I could see a little better.  Suddenly and without warning, from the corner of my eye, coming toward the passenger side, I spotted a small bird in fast flight, as if it was being pursued.   I could not tell what kind of bird it was because of the brightness of the sun.  I let my foot off the gas pedal to slow a bit, but still the bird connected with the window on the side of my car and I looked through the rear view mirror to see him spiral to the pavement below.  Tears filled my eyes – I don’t like to hit, hurt, or kill any animals and I know that little bird’s life was cut short by his apparent lack of attention to the traffic.  Nonetheless, I felt so badly. I wondered if it was a female and perhaps she had eggs to hatch or her young to care for.  As I thought about the poor little creature, I was reminded of this poignant story.  It is reported to be true and I have no reason to believe it is not.

Birds are so fragile and vulnerable. These amazing photos captured a drama with two of these little creatures that is every bit as poignant and heart-wrenching as any human story. Kudos to the photographer. The newspapers that carried these photos sold out in every country.

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW

"A female bluebird was hit by a car as she swooped low across the road, and the condition was soon fatal.

Her male mate brought her food and attended her with love and compassion.

He brought her food again, but was shocked to find her dead.

 He tried to move her - a rarely seen effort.

  

 

Aware his mate was dead and would never come back to him again, he cried out with adoring love . . . and stood beside her with sadness and sorrow.

 Millions of people were touched after seeing these photos in America, Europe, Australia, and even India. The photographer sold these pictures for a nominal fee to the most famous newspaper in France. All copies of that edition sold out on the day these pictures were published.

And many people think animals and birds don't have brains or feelings. You have just witnessed love and sorrow felt by God's creatures. The Bible says that God knows when a sparrow falls. Imagine how much He cares for us! Live simply, love generously, care deeply, give fully." (Author Unknown)

We are reminded of Jesus’ words in Luke 12:7 “Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” His words are repeated again in Mathew 10:31.  These words bring solace when my life feels so meaningless and insignificant.  When you feel that no one cares, no one is listening, or watching, remember that your Father, your Heavenly Father, loves you and cares for you so much more than any earthly father could ever love his children.  Can you hear the soft words of Jesus, as He walks beside you saying:

 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing?

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:25-33 ESV)

The next time that you feel that your life is meaningless or insignificant and that you don’t really matter, I pray that you would think of the story of the blue birds; be reminded of God’s precious, undying love for you for you are of “more value than they”.  (Matthew 6:25)

 Someone once asked Jesus, "how much do you love me?"  He answered just like this: