Sparrows

“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.”  Matthew 10:29-31 NIV

Most of these posts are written about things going on in my life.  Some of them are written to specific people I know to encourage them or to just tell them that I care about them and what they are going through.  Usually there is a general point for anyone, but a lot of them are written to specific people. 

Tonight, I am writing about a couple of sparrows.  I do not know either of them directly, but someone I love knows them and both are on my heart today.  As a kid I remember verses about sparrows and always thought of myself rather than the trouble sparrows can find themselves in. 

Some sparrows get cancer.  Then beat it.  Then get it again.  Then beat it.  Then, get it a third time.  Three rounds of cancer in one sparrow takes its toll.  She’ll beat it again, but I cannot even imagine how potentially discouraging that is. If you are a sparrow that has cancer, hardly anyone is in a position that directly helps you.  Friends, yes.  But most of your fellow sparrows don’t even know.  So, what is some old guy with a computer to do?  Pray.  Then pray again.  Then pray again.  Better yet, the old guy can ask people who read this to pray for the sparrow.  Treatment.  Healing.  Encouragement.  Strength.  Grace to deal with it all.  Even if you don’t have her name, God will know.

Some sparrows get panic attacks.  I have had those before and they are not fun.  It feels like a heart attack.  That actually adds to the level of panic you may feel, because what if it is a heart attack?  I remember not being able to point to one single thing at the forefront of my mind.  They make no sense and people telling you to relax really makes no sense.  So again, what is the old guy with a computer to do?  Pray.  If you would also do that God will hear.  Air in her lungs.  Heart to slow down.  Focus to shift.  Make her neck stop feeling like there is a zip tie wrapped around it making it hard to breathe.  Grace to deal with it.  Again, no name, but God will know. 

I know very little about God’s plans.  But I love Exodus 32 where Moses talks God into changing His mind, “Then the Lord relented and did not bring on His people the disaster He had threatened.”  Exodus 32:14.  Not all disasters are from evil.  Sometimes God uses disaster to reach people or to build perseverance or any other thing He decides.  I learned a long time ago that God is not required to ask my permission to do anything.  But I have also learned that God listens to me.  Little sparrows, God is listening to you too.

Ever tell someone “I’ll pray for you” and then forget to ever actually pray?  I have done so and I really want to never do that again.  Rather, I should say “pray with me now”.

Ever ask someone to pray for you and hope they really do (because sometimes we all forget)?

Challenge:  Time and attentiveness.  Time to sit with people in my house can be hard to find.  Time to spend with God can be hard as well.  Don’t give up trying.  A couple of sparrows need you.

Rick Claiborn