Thoughts for the Day

Meanwhile, when the crowd gathered in thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, 'Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops....

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid: you are of more value than many sparrows.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

There was an almighty bang and I shot through the bungalow to the back of the building, expecting to see some major damage, instead all that I could see was a large mark on the kitchen window. It had been a bird-strike, by a young sparrow. Searching outside I found the bird lying in the corner underneath the hose-pipe by the back wall, and felt sad, but there was no movement and nothing I could do. However, half an hour later the bird had disappeared - it had recovered and flown away.

This incident came to mind when reading the story above. I cared about the tiny bird, but God cares for every single bird and knows every hair on every person's head. These wonderful images remind us that God loves us totally and utterly, even when our secret thoughts and actions have been, like the Pharisees, against everything that He expects of us. All He wants is that we repent, ask His forgiveness, and start again.

Sunday 4th October, follow up thoughts

Lord God,
we know that we disappoint You,
and that even when others
don't know our thoughts and actions
You see us in our entirety.
Help us to see ourselves
as You see us;
to truly repent;
and to ask Your forgiveness.
Amen.