Hope and the small things

Many folks I know personally right now areway past overwhelmed due to medical, financial, family, and other issues. Andthen there’s a swath of people all through the southeast who are one thousandmiles past overwhelmed with the aftermath of these two hurricanes that havecome through. Their struggles seem insurmountable in the natural.

But in thinking about these huge concerns,the Lord has reminded me again to find comfort in how He is at work in the small things.

I still have hummingbirds coming to thefeeder, and last week as that monster of a hurricane Milton was churning in thegulf, I kept saying, “Don’t go yet, little birds. Don’t go.” This time of year,they are getting ready to make that long trek to the Yucatan peninsula and otherpoints south. I was concerned the hurricane would throw them off.

But when I did a bit of research, manyreported that these tiny creatures can sustain hurricane force winds over land as shownby the fact they return to feeders once the storm moves through. They dohowever suffer when they get caught over water, but most birds wait until theweather is optimal before beginning that flight. Their God given internalguidance systems help them know their departure time.

In times of distress, I have often found solace in these words, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one ofthem will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care” (Matthew 10:29).

The all-seeing God knows when one sparrowfalls, how much more is God concerned about the tragedies unfolding in theworld. He comforts us with these words, “So don’t be afraid; you are worth morethan many sparrows.”

We are highly valued to the Lord, and it’sthings like knowing the little hummingbird can withstand the fiercest winds and understands when to go and when tostay that reinforces this for me. God’s love is so vast!

So go outside, and if you have a feedertake a last look this season at these creatures who remind us of a big God. Andyou can absolutely believe He cares about the details touching us and all thosesuffering in these hurricanes and other circumstances.

This brings me hope. I pray you find it,as well. 

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023