Sparrow

It was right there on the camp schedule, proud to be the next activity for the day. I took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "I can do this. I can do this. I can do this." Shoving the itinerary into my back pocket, I slowly walked toward the bird trail. Each day was tightly planned, from the blast of the trumpet in the morning (talk about jumping five feet in the air in a sleeping bag!) to the lights literally out at bedtime. It was probably set up that way to keep us campers out of trouble. Most of what the camp counselors had planned was fun. Canoeing in the nearby river, swimming with the girls in my group (no boys allowed!), hiking the trails. Even the food was good. But this... this was too much to ask. 

I closed my eyes and saw it again: Birdwatching. I sighed. It wasn't that I didn't like birds. They're pretty, and they have feathers, and they fly. Something I always secretly wished I could do. But to watch them for an hour, and keep track of each different one?? I shivered a little at this thought, but headed to the trail anyway, the list of birds in my hand. 

I can't remember if there was a sparrow on that list, but I would venture to say no. They are not like the cardinal, beautiful in all it's red glory. Or the blue jay, with it's regal tuft of feathers on its head. Or even the robin, that signifies spring when the winter has been so long and cold. Sparrows are ordinary, most are brown, and back in Jesus' day, they weren't worth much. When the poor needed an animal for sacrifice, or even food, sparrows were available for just a couple pennies. 

But God loves His sparrows. He knows their real value, and to Him they are precious. So precious that when one dies, He knows the moment they fall to the ground. He doesn't see them as cheap or plain. When He looks at His sparrows, He sees beauty and worth. 

When He looks at you and I, He sees even more than He sees in His sparrows. We are made in His image. He is our family, our greatest Ally, our closest Friend And His love for us? Powerful, unfathomable. Beyond words.

God created His sweet little sparrow. And He lovingly crafted you and I, His greatest of creations. 

"And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:30-31

Resurrection

Peter, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times. Jesus' words still burned in his heart. He was so shocked when Jesus first told him this, because he would have laid down his life for Him. But then, when the time came, he actually did deny his Lord! Three days had gone by since Peter had renounced Jesus, three days since Jesus' cruel death, and Peter still felt the guilt and shame inside as though it were yesterday. He could not look his fellow disciples and friends in the eye, but neither could they look at him. They all felt ashamed for leaving Jesus during His most crucial time of need. 

And, to add salt to the already festering wound, Jesus' body was gone! Peter saw with his own eyes the empty tomb, laid bare except for the carefully folded strips of linen and cloths that had been previously wrapped around Jesus. Where is He? He wondered. Fragments of what Jesus had said in the past came to him: The disciples would no longer see Him, and then they would see Him again. When? What does all this mean? Mary Magdalene shared with Peter that she saw an angel, and even Jesus alive, at the empty tomb but that was just pure foolishness. Peter was sure that her grief was too overwhelming for her to handle. 

"Peace be with you." Peter jumped, his jumbled thoughts momentarily forgotten as he, along with his fellow disciples, turned toward the voice. Peter couldn't believe his eyes! It was Jesus! And He was smiling, stretching out His hands and feet so they could see His scars. It was true, He was alive! Peter laughed aloud, his joy overflowing. His Jesus had been resurrected, and he couldn't help but rejoice in His presence.

For Peter's sake, Jesus' resurrection was twofold. Peter was so excited to be able to share with the world the gospel story of Jesus, the One he loved and followed with all his heart. Peter also felt the redeeming power of grace on his life. Jesus made sure Peter knew there was nothing that would separate His love for him, not even Peter's denial of Jesus. Jesus' love for Peter was so strong, He was able to overlook what Peter did. He never for a second turned his back on Peter, or left him to flounder on his own. He was right there to hold him up, love him, and comfort his soul. And because of the grace of his Savior, Peter was able to joyfully spread the wonderful news of the never-ending love of Jesus.

Quiet

There is an amazing sense of stillness when it comes to sitting in a deer stand right before the sun comes up. That is, when my husband and I aren't goofing off, or being slap happy due to lack of sleep. The quiet is beautiful right before the birds wake and the squirrels are not scurrying around yet. There might be an owl hooting off in the distance, but the stillness of everything else is calming, and intense at the same time. As I watch the darkness turn to a soft gray, I always sit on the edge of my seat. Not just for the deer (although that is ALWAYS a bonus!) but because it's the exact moment when there's silence. Quiet. The night animals have already trudged off to bed, and the morning sits for just a few seconds. The woods are almost bursting at the seams, ready to wake up, and I absolutely love it. 

Quiet is not one of my best qualities. When I need to be quiet, I most always run into something, my stomach will rumble, or I'll make an involuntary sound with my mouth.  Even when I tiptoe, I somehow accidentally step on the loudest thing possible. I just can't seem to get the quiet thing down.

Same thing happens when it comes to praying. I just talk and talk and talk. It makes me wonder... am I having a conversation with God, or just with myself? I'm so guilty of the one-sided conversations with Him, content to get my piece said, and be on my merry way. And then I wonder why I feel alone during the day, not in tune with God, not hearing His voice or feeling His hand on my life. It's in those times I realize my mistake. And I feel a gentle nudge in my soul. A reminder to be still in His presence. Yes, I can still talk and talk and talk. I can share my heart with the Lord, and ask for His guidance. But then I need to be quiet. To sit and clear my mind of everything else and focus entirely on Him. And the result of giving Him that time is amazing, because that's when our hearts combine and the closeness I crave is found. In the stillness of His presence. 

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him." Psalm 37:7a

Protection

It was dark, oppressive. The woods made eerie sounds, sounds I didn't remember hearing in the light of day. My flashlight shook, and I nervously laughed a little, trying to keep the fear out of my voice: "I can't believe how dark it is!" My cousin laughed too, her eyes never leaving the woods beside her. A few of us had decided to go on a night walk around our grandparents' lake, on a two-track road. So, with flashlights in hand, and courage in our hearts, we had confidently started out. That was fifteen minutes ago. Now, almost halfway around, our courage was fading fast.

A crash sounded in the woods. All of our flashlights swung in the direction of the noise. I was scared. What in the world was THAT? I wondered. Wordlessly we huddled together, pointing our flashlights all around us. The first half of the lake road was pure darkness. There were no houses on this side. The second half was more populated, and they had outdoor lights. We just had to hang on a little bit longer.

Shaking a little, I peered into the trees beside me. I thought I could faintly hear footsteps in the leaves... and then CRASH! I jumped, and we took off running. The woods came alive behind us. We all ran screaming, trying to outrun who-knows-what. My cousin dropped her flashlight, and without thinking I stopped and turned to retrieve it, and saw my brother had stopped as well. We were standing directly under a light; we had made it to safety. But the thing in the woods was still coming. I panicked... do I run? Hide? Stay beside my brother, hoping we both can ward off this mysterious scariness? I didn't have time to make up my mind. The footsteps stopped, and two familiar faces stepped into the light. "Uncle Jeff? Charity?? It was YOU???" I was so shocked, and so relieved! I was absolutely sure it was something scary and sinister that it took a minute to register. I shook my head and laughed. They got us good.

Thankfully, that type of fear ended on a good note. We put ourselves in a situation to be scared, on purpose. However, when it comes to real fear, we have Someone who will stand up and protect us, no matter what the situation is. God wants our lives to be lived joyfully; He wants us to dream and hope. No fear, whether big or small, is too much for Him to handle. Let go. Just breathe, and let Him handle the rest. He created the world, He created you and me. His love for us started before we were born, and will never end. We can depend on Him to protect us into eternity.

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:11-12

Overcome

I was scared to death. It was time to face my fear head-on. I took a deep breath and stood up, my legs trembling a little as I walked to the front of the class. I set my notecards on the small podium, looked at my classmates, cleared my throat, and began. "Exercise is an essential part of being healthy. And what's just as important is how to correctly stretch beforehand." Blank faces looked back at me. My hands shook a little as I continued. I had everyone stand up, and we performed the stretches together. I gave pointers and guidance on specific stretches to do in order to stretch out certain muscles. As I shared and we stretched, I began to relax. My nerves had calmed, and I was able to smile as I talked. A few minutes later, as I walked back to my seat and the next speech began, the feeling of excitement stayed with me. Overcoming my fear was a big step, and it instilled confidence in an area that I struggled with.

As Christians, we have an amazing way to cope with struggles and worries. When our legs shake and we can't keep our hands steady, all we have to do is look to Jesus. He is there, waiting for us to lean on Him, to hold on to His outstretched hand, and ask Him for His guidance and strength. He has promised never to leave nor forsake us. It's a promise we can hold on to, especially during times of disappointment and trial. And when we feel like giving up, that's when He holds us in His arms and reminds us that with Him, we can overcome anything together.

I love Mandisa's song "Overcomer." The lyrics are so encouraging and refreshing. 

"You're an overcomer

Stay in the fight 'til the final round

You're not going under

'Cause God is holding you right now

You might be down for a moment

Feeling like it's hopeless

That's when He reminds you

That you're an overcomer."

So hang in there. When the world gets tough, just remember Who holds you, and Who believes in you. He will always be your biggest fan.

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33b