You Are of More Value Than Many Sparrows
Vera Wetteroff of Barnhart, MO, USA
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.” -John 2: 6b-11
It is 2020 as I write and, like most of you, I have been home “social distancing” for many months. Before all this began, I purchased a camera. (I thought I needed more than my iPhone 5 for our planned trip to Europe which eventually got canceled.) This spring, Dave and I also hung up a bird feeder outside of our family room window.
This camera and bird feeder have become my entertainment and inspiration for those months as I watched the birds come and go. There were European starlings that tried to dominate the bird feeder. But our red-bellied woodpecker held his own and chased them off. It was fun to learn the names and personalities of the birds that came and went. Over the months, our bird population has continued to grow: bluebirds, woodpeckers, starlings, brown-headed cowbirds, blue jays, cardinals, American goldfinch, house finch, Carolina chickadee, and more.
As the Coronavirus moved into the UK and then the USA, I became physically ill because of the stress as we canceled our trip and decided to stay at home. In spite of the turmoil in my heart caused by the pandemic, I found myself thinking of how God is in charge as I watched the birds. Words of old hymn favorites like “This Is My Father’s World” and “Look for the Beautiful” sang in my heart. Reflecting on scriptures such as Psalm 23 brought peace.
As we continue to move forward in these times of social distancing and unrest, I pray that you can look for the beautiful and find peace in God’s wondrous world around you. “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7).
Prayer Phrase
“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)
Spiritual Practice
The Prayer of the Heart
Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
