More Than a Sparrow

Spring reminds me of regeneration and new growth.  It comes only once a year in nature, but for born again believers, spring is happening on a daily basis because the Lord Jesus Christ shows us new mercy each and every morning.   

This wonderful truth comforts the heart of everyone who's been washed in the blood. The Lord cares deeply for us! He's aware of every heartache and burden that we bear and beckons us to lay them at his feet and trust him. 

To illustrate how we are to trust in him, he draws our attention to the birds of the air.  

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?   

~ Matthew 6:26 - 

The birds don't plow 40 acres, or shuck corn. They don't reap or sow, but God feeds them. How much more valuable are we to the Lord? 

Birds are what the Lord chose to use to encourage us in child like faith. We must come as little children, trusting the Lord just as a child. 

 And [Jesus] said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  ~ Matt 18:3

This beautiful nest was found by our sons in 2009. It was carefully  constructed by a mama and papa pair of Robins in a sturdy corner on the underside of our two-story deck.  Isn't the circular construction a marvel! And the eggs? Turquoise perfection.  

Soon, my sons came running inside to tell me of the new life they found! One of the three eggs in the nest was freshly hatched. They were beyond excited!

The next day, another egg had hatched.  Their eyes look disproportionately gigantic and their little bodies look so frail.

The next day, three eggs were hatched!  Notice how their lovely blue shells were tidily taken away by their parents? 

At this point, the mama and papa were fiercely guarding this nest.  Any time we got close to it, they would dive bomb us.  The boys felt like they were risking their lives to snatch the next few pictures!  Which only made for a more exciting adventure for them.

Such gaping little mouths! In this picture, the fourth egg is missing. We don't know if the parents disposed of it or if it was stolen by a squirrel or other critter. 

Here they are a little older but still fully dependent on their parents, whom they cannot even see, to feed them.

This one seems to want just more bite, please!  Their plumage is becoming visible.

Here they were quieted down for a nap. 

A week later, their plumage was already coming in.  It was fascinating to observe the watchful care of the mother and father of this brood.  

While one would go and find food, the other would perch itself on a tree with the nest in full view.  If anyone came near the nest, look out!  :)  In a couple more weeks, the baby robins were ready to test their wings and fly.  Once they knew how fly, they never returned to the nest. 

God desires that we come to him in faith as little children. Children don't have worldly wisdom.  Just pure, childlike innocence and faith.  The bible says without faith it's impossible to  please God.  

As we grow, we become strengthened and nourished in our faith and God expects us to try our wings.  He will catch us when we fall, too.  

Aren't you so thankful to have a heavenly father watching and caring for you?  I am!  We are worth much more than sparrows.