Happy Father’s Day! (Although the content is not about fatherhood...) It’s been five weeks since Dave’s unexpected fall on Mother’s Day. Little did we know that a seemingly innocent fall could bring our lives to a long pause, as he is still recovering today.
During these five weeks, I’ve been reading the gospel of Matthew. One day, these scriptures jumped to mind: "What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." Matthew 10:29, 31 (NLT)
In my sadness and weakness, I repeated: “Sparrows do fall”, and I wanted so much to add, “unfortunately.” “Sparrows do fall, unfortunately.”
But that’s not what God says, and as sad and weak as I am, I know I need to confess what He says instead of adding my own words.
Jesus says: “But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.”
Sparrows Do Fall, But Not Unseen
Dave and I have to accept this profound truth and leave it at that and be at peace. Oh, how this verse resonates deeply with us, especially now. Yes, Dave did fall, but he is never beyond the gaze of our Heavenly Father.
Sparrows do fall; and I don’t know what “falling” looks like for you – physical falls, emotional setbacks, or spiritual struggles. All I know is that we do fall, but not unseen by our loving Father. It’s a great reminder of our vulnerability and our dependence on God’s grace.
Every Fall is Counted
Dave actually had fallen down many times in his life due to the instability from the polio leg, but he was always able to get back up and recover fast. It seems that now the healing and recovery is more complicated with the Post Polio Syndrome.
But every fall is indeed counted. Even this one. Each day of Dave’s recovery, with its ups and downs, has been a testament to God's attentive presence. I hope you can also see that when you fall, His Eye is on you.
Do you know a famous hymn called His Eye Is On The Sparrow? Read this below.
The Story behind the Hymn: His Eye is On The Sparrow
Source: Wikipedia
The theme of the song is inspired by the words of David in the Psalms and Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible: "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye" (Psalm 32:8). "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?" (Matthew 6:26) and "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29–31).
Civilla Martin, who wrote the lyrics of His Eye On The Sparrow, said of her inspiration to write the song based on the scriptures:
Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God.
Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them.
One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."
The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience.
Love and blessings,
Ani & Dave
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