The Sparrow

Do you ever have a flash of memory that you can’t really explain? A flash so vivid, you feel you must have remembered it for a reason – even if you can’t pinpoint what that might be? Well, today I have a song stuck in my head, and for some reason am reminded of a lady who loved singing it many years ago.

As a child I attended a very small country church. My Dad was the song leader. Often we sang a capella as a pianist was not always in attendance. On occasion, there was special music (a soloist or small choir would sing to the rest of us).

Mrs. Houston was a sweet elderly lady in our church. She always had a kind smile for a silly little girl like me. It’s been years since I even thought of her, but today suddenly there she was in my mind just as if I were six years old again, listening to her sing. She routinely sang specials, and although she may have sung others, I remember her singing one old hymn on many occasions.  She was not a perfect performer. She might have made mistakes. Sometimes her voice shook just a little.  It didn’t matter. Nobody minded because she sang that song with all her heart. You could tell she believed every word.

That old hymn that I remember her always singing (and which is on my mind today) is this one:

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

The sparrow isn’t usually anyone’s favorite bird. My Mom, who is an avid bird watcher, calls the sparrow a nuisance. It scares away the “prettier” birds she likes watching best. That’s the point though, right? If He cares enough to watch the sparrow ( a nuisance bird), it’s not unreasonable to believe He watches us (even when we might be nuisances ourselves).

I don’t know why this song is on my mind today. I’m not currently discouraged about anything at all. In fact, life is pretty wonderful. We are very blessed indeed. I don’t imagine there’s ever a bad time though, to be reminded that we are not alone.

And anyway, as songs go…this isn’t one I mind having stuck in my head.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.