His Eye Is on the Sparrow

On my recent return trip from North Carolina, my Dodge Caravan, lovingly dubbed The Giving Thanks Mobile, quit at a rest stop on highway 35 east of Chillicothe, OH. My immediate reaction was “Oh, Lord, what am I going to do? I’m alone, 100 miles from home. Strangers are coming and going.” I sat in my car with the door open contemplating my plight. Four little sparrows flitted and fought over a crumb near my car. I couldn’t help but smile at them. I even told them how cute they were. Before I could reprimand myself for talking aloud to birds in a parking lot, Scripture popped into my mind. Matthew 10: 29-31 says “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (NKJV)

What a comforting thought God provided for me through His Word!! God cares for me and I’ll be fine. I sought the opinion of fellow travelers as to the condition of my vehicle. They agreed I needed to be towed. While my dear husband, Don, made arrangements with a fellow pastor to come get me, God directed me to make the best use of the hours at the rest stop. The ODOT caretakers were hospitable, serving me coffee and conversation. People were friendly and gracious. When Don and Charlie arrived to rescue me, I was holding a plate of fried chicken and potato salad given to me by a family picnicking. So much for being a damsel in distress.

Don and Charlie loaded the car on a trailer. I gave hugs and gospel tracts to the care takers. Holding the refreshingly cold water bottles the picnickers handed each of us, we said goodbyes and thank you’s.

God turned what started as a frightening experience into a tolerable one. And, more importantly, each who helped me knows how much God cares for sparrows—and them.