The Sparrow

The Sparrow

"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them will falls to the ground apart from the Father's will. Yet the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more valuable than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31. 

The Sparrow...We live in Montana where winters are long. It's spring here now and all the birds are arriving full of life and a promise of renewal. A beautiful robin just landed on the flower box outside my window and sang me a beautiful song of greeting. I am reminded it was the sparrow that Jesus used to illustrate our value to God. Did you know that the birds were created on the fifth day but man was not made until the sixth day? Have you ever wondered why God chose such a common bird to illustrate a profound truth? There is an insightful lesson for each of us through the life of a sparrow. They seemingly have no worries at all where their food is coming from or where they will rest for the night. Oh, that we could embrace the simplicity of trusting our Abba Father for all our needs. Worry would not crease our brow. God knows our every need and cares about the things we don't even notice. Jesus is our portion! Let us allow the beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith grip our hearts today. "I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free, His eye is on the sparrow and I know He cares for me." Today, if you are worried, be encouraged, the sparrow was not made in His image...WE WERE!

"Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than cloths? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in the barns, and yet, your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you mot much more valuable then they?" Matthew 6:25-26.

"Gentlemen, I have lived long enough and am convinced that God governs in the affairs of man. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it possible that an empire can rise without His aid?" Benjamin Franklin.

Sweetest Blessings,

Jo

"Said the robin to the sparrow,

"I would really like to know

why those anxious human beings

rush around and worry so.

Said the sparrow to the robin.

"Friend, I think that it must be

that they have no heavenly Father 

such as cares for you and me."

 

The Sweetness of His Presence

The Sweetness of His Presence

"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters, He refreshes my soul." Psalm 23:2-3.

Beside Still Waters...Water is such a precious infinite resource that assures a calming and serene source of peace. Is it any wonder that King David, a man of war, penned these beautiful words? David knew that God was the source of His comfort. It is unspeakably wonderful that God would unconditionally set his favor on us. Today, this time-honored solution gives us comfort when we are unsettled. It calls us to "stillness." I often imagine myself in green pastures, beside still waters and I always sense the sweet presence of Jesus. The sweetness of God's presence is like a gentle breeze that caresses the soul, a warmth that envelops the heart. It is the quiet assurance that we are never alone. In the sweetness of His presence you will hear a soft whisper of grace and feel a tender touch of eternity. This speaks life into our weary Spirit. In this hectic, busy, noisy world we live in today, we so often have need to go to the source that will gently calm our troubled spirit. I encourage you to journey with me to this beautiful place of rest and be refreshed and encouraged by the sweetness of His presence. "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11. 

"He will tend His flock like a Shepard; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom and gently lead them..." Isaiah 40:11.

"Knowing God is to know his sweetness. Being loved by God means being enveloped in his sweetness."

Sweetest Blessings,

Jo 

 

There's a Little Girl In Every Grown Women (Finding Joy in Your Journey)

There's a Little Girl In Every Grown Women 

(Finding Joy in Your Journey)

"These things have I spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you , and that your joy may be full." John 15:11.

Finding Joy...We often hear our childhood shaped who we are as adults. I believe this to be true. Good, bad, or downright ugly! Many were blessed with idloic childhoods while others had difficult childhoods that shaped who they became as an adult. The difference is in the life choices we made. From my earliest memory to my seasoned years, I have always seen life through rose colored glasses. I still love the innocence of babies and the smell of puppies breath. I still love the color of pink and the smell of jasmine. I still love tea parties and cookies. I still believe in prince charming. I married one! Do I see myself aging? Of course I do... but today I choose to find beauty in my age. It is a gift from the Lord. It is special! Has life tainted my youthful memories? Not one bit! Sometimes, when life feels off balance, I take a moment and journey back to the sweet days of my youth and I am reminded that I still love the same things, and they are good. The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of life and everything to do with the focus of our life. Joy does not happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it everyday. It's the simple things that create joy. God created us that way. And it is good! 

 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22:23.

"Live beyond "What If" find joy in "What Is."

Sweetest Blessings,

Jo