“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.”
Matthew 10:29-30 (RSV)
I ask God for His perfect timing before leaving the house each day, and it never fails that something always happens to confirm that whatever I do, or wherever I go, the timing has been perfectly prepared.
Yesterday, I arrived at the Nursing Facility, a little later than usual. My son, Jon, was sitting in the day room, next to the usual table of residents, I’ve come to know each week. As I greeted them, I noticed that Amber was also sitting at the table, which was unusual. She ordinarily sits on the other side of the room. A new nurse assistant, named Michelle, was spending time with both Jon and Amber that day.
As I sat down I noticed Amber was softly singing, even though no music was playing. The other residents at the table told me she was singing like that all day. We were all so amused, watching her sing and respond for a change. When I commented to Michelle about it, she told me she spends extra time with the non verbal residents, and can often get them to speak. I thought, what a blessing Michelle will be for Jon one day in the future.
As I watched Amber singing softly, she turned to Martin, who was sitting next to her, and said, “I’m having a good day.” I couldn’t believe my ears, to hear Amber talk was astounding. She usually sits by herself, looking at the floor or ceiling and doesn’t answer anyone.
I quickly searched my phone for the songs that she was already singing and started playing those songs on my phone for her. I turned up the volume, playing hit songs by James Taylor, Cindy Lauper, Bon Jovi, The Bee Gees, Beatles, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Neil Diamond, and the Beach boys. We all sat watching her, amazed as Amber sang every single song, knowing all the lyrics of each song. She sang with animation and performance quality. She was so cute, and all residents at her table joined with her on the chorus of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.”
It’s a small thing, but a huge breakthrough, because God is in all those small things. When I left to go home and said goodbye to everyone, I even heard Amber answer me, saying, “Goodbye”.
If God cares about the smallest sparrows, how much more does He care about non verbal people like Amber and Jon. God speaks to us through small signs, and then He sends special people like Michelle, to help others find their way of expression.
It reminds me of a story told by a young priest, when he once boarded a plane to Boston for a speaking engagement. Flying is not within his comfort zone, and as he found his assigned seat, he silently prayed for a safe flight, and then he curiously felt like he was being watched.
He looked to his right and to his left, and turned around, but only saw people staring at their cell phones. Then he looked out the window next to his seat, and on the wing of the plane sat a tiny sparrow, looking at him. He thought of the scripture that says, as God watches over the sparrow, He is also watching over us as well. He felt that God sent him a sign of comfort through that small sparrow, perched on the wing of that plane.
When he arrived at his destination in Boston, the host led him to his room, and as he entered the room, a plaque on the wall instantly caught his eye. It was a picture of a sparrow with today’s scripture verse on it. It may be a small sign, but to him, it was huge, because God used a sparrow to speak comfort to his heart that day.
When we wholeheartedly rely on God, He will reveal Himself through small signs. Whatever doubts or fears we may have, He sends us a sign of comfort just at the right time, to connect and confirm to our hearts that everything will be okay.
Signs from Heaven are all around us. We only need to ask Him and keep our eyes open. It may be through nature, like a sparrow looking at us, or a person we encounter at the right time and place. Timing belongs to God, and when we ask for His perfect timing, we end up in the right places at the right time to meet the person we were meant to meet that day.
Yesterday, God showed everyone how He is working in Amber, who found her expression by singing hit songs for hours. As we take notice of the small signs, it helps our faith to grow so that we can believe God for bigger things tomorrow.
Lord, as you care for every sparrow, we know how much you love and care for us as well. Help us to take note of the small signs you send us each day, to remind us of your great love for us. Amen