Deer Stand Devotionals: His Eye is on the Sparrow

Momma robin feeding her fallen baby

Last night we tried to rescue a baby robin. It had fallen out of a nest earlier in the day. It couldn't fly, although it was desperately attempting to. All day I watched it alternate between resting and trying to flap its way back to the nest. I watched momma robin continue to feed it and chase away other birds. I listened to her frantic cries whenever we came within ten feet of her baby, even though we meant it no harm. We were simply checking on it. 

As dusk descended, we were faced with a decision. I knew the terrible fate that was lurking in the tree line. 

Every spring we get snapping turtles that come up out of the swamp and into our yard. They laboriously spend hours digging holes and laying eggs. But without fail, usually within an hour of the turtle finishing her task and departing for the swamp, the eggs are dug up and eaten by raccoons. I knew this was what would most likely happen to our plucky little robin, as the raccoons are constantly roaming the tree line, looking for an appetizer. 

So we made the decision to carefully scoop the robin up into a cardboard box and make it as comfortable as possible. I fully expected that the baby robin would not make through the night...and I was right. This morning when I checked on it, it was curled up in some leaves, gone in the night. 

But as I told my boys, at least it went peacefully, protected, instead of being torn apart by a vicious raccoon. 

Nature can be cruel...but life goes on. As I sat on the porch with my coffee and Bible this morning, watching momma robin go on with life, looking for worms for her remaining babies, I thought of the words of Jesus in Matthew 10 - "...you are of more value than many sparrows."

Matthew 10:29  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 

The Creator knows when one of His birds falls to the ground. He also knows me. He cares for the birds, but He cares for me. 

He cares for you, too. You are valued. Don't ever forget that.