The particular bird that caught my attention was a plump little sparrow, just sitting there, looking contented as if he or she were too full to fly. I took my little "binoculars" in one hand and watched it for a while. Its little head turned this way and that as it took in its surroundings - perhaps wondering what that awful-looking stuff was that the guy over in the corner had on his plate.

I got to remembering a conversation I had with a guy in Kansas shortly after we moved there. I put out my bird feeder and filled it with sunflower seeds (my favorite for feeding the birds). The friend that was standing there said, "All you're going to get is sparrows." I know from experience that sparrows aren't a favorite with some people. By the way this man said what he did, I guessed they weren't his favorite, either.

I looked in my bird book the other day and was amazed to see how many different kinds of sparrows there are. My experience over the many years of feeding the birds is that there is no shortage of sparrows (whatever the type) showing up for a free meal. Actually, not all of them are "free-loaders". Some of them pay for their food with beautiful songs and/or interesting actions. (Several times I have seen one bird feeding another.)

The little sparrow that I saw this morning at my feeder was welcome to be there. Any sparrow is welcome at my feeders (as long as they behave themselves). Jesus referred to the sparrows. I don't know if it was the sparrow He had in mind when He said, "Look at the birds of the air..." (Matthew 6:26); but He did mention the sparrow when He said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will." (Matthew 10:29). Think of that: of all the sparrows, "NOT ONE...!

I was thinking about that this morning as I stood watching my contented little friend on the feeder. That plump little bird, with it's short beak and cute beady eyes, would not fall to the ground unless its Creator (AND MINE) did not willed it to be so! What an awesome God we have! If God so cares about, and is involved with the common sparrow, I can trust Him to know and care about me! After saying what He did to His followers about the sparrows, Jesus added, "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value that many sparrows" (Matthew 10:30-31)!