Do you remember the old hymn “His eye is on the sparrow”?  We’ve been a bit of a case study for that over the past week…

This well-loved old hymn was written by Nova-Scotia born Civilla D. Martin in 1905 (who would later spend many years living in the USA). She was visiting with friends, the Doolittles, in New York State who, despite enormous challenges were strong Christians who inspired and encouraged those around them with their ever-cheerful attitude. (Mrs Doolittle had been bedridden for 20 years and her husband went to and from his business, confined to a wheelchair).  When asked about how they could manage such a disposition despite their circumstances, Mrs Doolittle simply replied, “His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.”

 

Our “sparrow”

Last week while walking Pollux, we came across a nest of what appeared to be abandoned mésanges (a small songbird that is cousin to the chickadee). This little guy was weak and his nest-mate was already “dearly departed”… they were both very young as they weren’t yet completely feathered in. We’ve been feeding this guy and he’s regaining his strength marvelously.

Pentecost Sunday

Last weekend the UPC of France held its annual Convention de Pentecôte in the northern city of Arras. None of our church family were able to go so we had service in Châtellerault.

The Lord knew, because on Saturday afternoon, we had a phone call from a Franco-Malagasy couple looking for a service locally. They attended Sunday morning for the first time with a promise to return. Bro. Kabasele preached and did a tremendous job.

In Arras, there were several hundred people in attendance and the guest speaker was Rev. Dan Davis (Baton Rouge, LA). There were several filled with the Holy Ghost and Bro. & Sis. Valéry Agba were ordained into the ministry – they already pastor the work in Arras on a full-time basis.

Even though the we weren’t able to attend, there were several young people who contacted Soph & Nic wondering if they were there… that made them feel very good.

 

Conneting

This week we made special effort to connect with a number of our church family outside of services… just to spend a little time together and build the relationships…. even with a few who are indirectly connected to the church.

On Wednesday night we got to reconnect with a young man who attended for the first time a couple of weeks ago. He was back for Bible study and we had a good chat afterwards, with plans to get together for dinner as well – again, to connect outside of regularly scheduled meeting times.

 

Lily of the Valley

May 1st is traditionally the day when small posies of lily of the valley are exchanged (at horrendous cost if you don’t have any growing in your garden) but in our garden they weren’t in bloom yet. Now, with the rain we’ve had over the past two weeks… they are all but gone, except for this bouquet that we picked yesterday, some stems of which were a gift from our neighbour.

 

His eye is on the sparrow…

You know… God’s timing is perfect. It would be easy for us to pat ourselves on the back for rescuing this little baby bird and think that we were doing IT a big favour when perhaps God, through it, was doing US a favour.

That old familiar hymn cannot be dissociated from Matthew 10:29-31:

^“29Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. ³⁰But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

No matter what each of us have gone through or felt, this week… the Lord knows. A sparrow cannot fall to the ground without him knowing about it and we – (you & I) – are of more value than many sparrows!

Rest assured and have hope knowing, like Mrs. Doolittle, that “His eye is on the sparrow and know he watches you.”

 

Thank you…

… for stopping by and for keeping us in prayer.
God bless you today!