squirrel
From the Kitchen Window

By Diane Kleeschulte
I have never lived in a house with such a wonderful view of God’s creation! I admit that I am quite distracted on a regular basis by the many birds that flock to our bird feeder, and the squirrels who delight in munching their leftovers. I have been witness to a hawk that invaded the yard and took with it one of the chippies, and the rest of the day I was in mourning for its loss. One little chippie? Yes, for wasn’t it Jesus who said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31 NASB) I like to think He meant the chippies, too. Is it hard for you to believe that you are truly of value to the living God? Do you believe yourself to be valuable in every sense of the word? As I ready myself in the morning, I wonder at Jesus’ statement that every hair on my head is numbered. Really? How utterly awesome!

So I stand at the kitchen window that overlooks His creation and contemplate my value from a spiritual perspective. My family recognizes my value from the standpoint of dirty vs. clean, whether it be house, clothes, or dishes. And doesn’t God do the same? Am I taking the time to even be aware of the creeping in of sin in my nature as I am the bit of dust that accumulates on the bookcase? Do I make a special effort to grab the Word and repent over a harshly spoken word as I am to grab the cloth that cleans the bookcase?
Doesn’t God want me ready for His purpose? How can I be of value if I haven’t been nurturing my spiritual life to be ready for His call?  I gaze out the window and know that He loves me. The peace of  His creation comforts me. I am aware of the blessings I have received and feel humbled by His giving hand. So I look inward at myself and examine who I am and who I have become since the living waters of the baptism cleansed me, and sometimes I am ashamed.

Every hair is numbered! Jesus said I am of more value than a sparrow (or a chippie)! Am I confident of this? Does my life reflect the knowledge of this statement? I want to be valuable to God my Father! I am not afraid to be who He wants for me to be: a valuable and cherished woman of God.

 bird
 Do you ever lose yourself in a task? The dishes and sink are cleaned. The counters are wiped of food and clutter. The cardinal is at the feeder and a black bird is drinking from the water. I probably could have turned out the light much sooner, but I was distracted by His heavenly work: “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1 NASB) 

So I find myself quite reflective over God’s word. I know that I can be rested in His promises and be comforted that He knows where I am in my life. For He has a purpose for those He calls His own. I remind myself: Do not fear. He knows where I am. As in the song, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” I am valuable because I am His! Rejoice! For you, too, belong to the Father!

Remember, I will understand completely the next time you share with me what happened at your kitchen window.

 

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