Encouragement for Life

As Molly (My canine sidekick.) and I walked the field near these two mama cows, I could see how watchful they were of our movements. Their babies are lying on the ground and they are not going to let us or anyone bother those babies. (We stayed on our side of the fence.) There are almost 20 of those babies with the herd now. I enjoy watching them as they run and almost leap with the joy of life. But their mamas are never too far away to hear any cries for help. 

I’m reminded of how much God cares about me. When I am anxious or troubled I know He is right here watching over me.  In spite of what I know, worry sometimes sneaks up on me. Jesus tells us in Matthew, chapter 6, “do not worry about your life.”  God takes care of the birds and clothes the flowers, so why wouldn’t He also care for me?

Early in the last century, Civilla D. Martin wrote the hymn, His Eye is on the Sparrow.  She tells how she was inspired to write those words.  She and her husband, who was an evangelist, became good friends with a couple in Elmira, NY.  Their names were Mr. & Mrs. Doolittle. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nearly 20 years and her husband was a cripple who propelled himself to and from his business in a wheelchair.  Yet, this couple lived happy Christian lives. One day as the Martin’s visited this couple, they asked them about their secret to their bright outlook on life.  Mrs. Doolittle replied, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches  me.” That was the inspiration for writing the hymn, loved by many Christians for over a century. 

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).