His Eye is on the Sparrow...

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

   ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

 ~ Matthew 6:25-34

This scripture has always spoken to me. I come from a long line or worry-ers, and it's taken years to attempt to break the habit. Actually, it's something I still struggle with sometimes, and have to remind myself not to do! We live in a world that sells FEAR - on every news channel, in every newspaper headline, and with every advertisement of safer cars, better insurance, and new drugs. It takes reminding ourselves (every day) that God is in control of our lives, and we are supposed to TRUST HIM, instead of worrying about every little thing.

For me, that reminder often comes in the form of a bird. Call me silly, but whenever I see a sweet little bird hopping around in the grass, or looking at me from the branch of a tree, I feel a wave of peace. I'm able to smile - remembering that God is near, and that He has not forgotten me. And it's a good thing too, because I tend to take crazy leaps of faith like starting a non-profit in the middle of an economic recession, or taking a job as a support raised missionary, or moving to far away places "because God said to" without knowing where I'll live or how we'll make ends meet. In the midst of "leaping" like Rusty and I do - it's nice to be reminded that God will always catch us before we hit the ground.

So, imagine my delight when, the day after we returned home from Thailand, we were greeted by a tree FULL of these little fellas!

I have never seen even ONE of these bright yellow birds in our yard in the 2+ years we've lived in Michigan.... but on this morning, there were 10 or 11 of them perched in our trees! I was delighted when I saw the first one...but when 10 of his friends joined him Rusty and I were in awe. Aren't they pretty!?

Then, a few days later I saw this happy little bluebird in our back yard. He was BEAUTIFUL and I was completely taken by him. This picture cracks me up because of how puffed up he was as he was checking me out - he looks like he's got some attitude! Like, "Yeah, I see you lookin' at me. You may be big, but I can take you!" haha!

When I realized he was living in our little birdhouse later that week, I was thrilled! Now I get to see him all the time!

You may think this post is silly, but in the midst of struggle and sacrifice - as we continue to do everything in our power to make The Sound of Hope successful for the precious kids we care for overseas - these little birds are a blessing. It means so much for me to feel God's presence reminding me, "If I can take care of these little birds, then Baby Girl - I've got YOU!"