His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Standing at the kitchen sink, elbow deep in suds, I was surprised at my calm.

I could hear the hum of conversation behind the closed door beyond the hall. I knew the voice on the other end of the line was giving the news we'd expected but wern't looking forward to hearing.

What do you do when life takes the turn you knew was up ahead?

How do you manage calm and assurance when the stream dries up?  The one you've been sitting next to, drinking from, depending on for daily needs. What do you do when the ravens stop bringing the bread?

You must follow the voice of the One you trust with everything.

The Voice that says, 'Get up from here, and go to another place. I've commanded another source for you.'

The peace within comes quietly. A knowing... that He is here with me. In this moment. That I am prepared.

Because He's already prepared a place, a provision.

And then I see it.

Out the window, there on the grass. In the midst of all that green lies a brown feather. Fluttered down earlier that day from one of the many sparrows that visit our yard for the seed.

And I know it's a reminder from my Father who loves me so. Assuring me as only He can.

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

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

by

Civilla Martin

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.

Refrain

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.

Refrain

Civilla Martin, who wrote the lyrics, said this about her inspiration to write the song based in the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:29-31 and Luke 12:6-7,

"Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience."

—Civilla Martin

Why live in fear

                   when I can be free?

Why live in disouragement

                   when I can live in downright joy?

Not because the world says 'All is well.'

                   but because it is well with my soul.



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