Working alone in a one-person office had many benefits. There was no office politics, no gossip, and no boss breathing down my neck. When I accepted the position, my only concern was that I might be a bit lonely. I’d always been a part of the fast-paced corporate world, so in all my years of employment I had never worked alone. I’m a peace-seeker by nature, so it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the quiet.   I found if I hit the coffee shop first thing in the morning on my way to the office, my need for human interaction could be filled with a few simple words exchanged between myself and the barista.

The complex where I worked contained only four units, side by side. My office, unit A, was closest to the street.   My office was the corner office, with two windows, one facing the street and one facing the parking lot. I would open the blinds to let the sun in as I worked. I could hear traffic noise, but I could also hear the birds chirping and singing. Every once in a while, I would stop working, look out my window, and try to find the birds by following their beautiful voices.

One day, in early February, I noticed a couple of sparrows busily gathering twigs and grass for a nest they were building in the eves outside my window. I watched them as they diligently pushed the sticks and leaves into the corner. I was amazed at how hard they worked to get the job done. As time went on, I could hear baby chicks chirping in the nest as Mom and Dad gathered food for them and provided for their needs. As summer approached, the nest grew quiet. The chicks had grown and were off on their own. 

The nest was left in the eve, per my request to the property manager. No one could see it, and I had hoped the sparrows would return the following Spring. To my delight, they came back. I again watched them as they followed the natural progression of nature. By late summer the nest had grown still, just as the year before.

The next February, I found myself looking out my window to see if there was any activity around the nest. The month came and went with no sparrows. Every time I walked in and out of my office door, I looked for them. Where were they? Finally, after I had decided they weren’t coming back that year, I saw them as I drove up to my office. According to my schedule, they were very late, but according to their schedule, they were right on time.

I was so excited to see them that I purchased a bird feeder. I made sure to buy the bird food designed for the sparrows. I filled the feeder and carefully hung the feeder outside my window. An hour later I was disappointed the sparrows had not found the feeder. I had gone to all the trouble to take care of them, and they just weren’t interested. 

The next morning, I examined the feeder when I got to work. It hadn’t been touched. There wasn’t a seed out of place, how disappointing. I could see the sparrows busily working on their nest just a few feet away, but they had no interest in the food that was literally at their doorstep. As I unlocked my door I had to wonder, how often does God answer my prayers and I completely miss his signs?  Does he ever get frustrated with me when he makes such an effort to guide and protect me and I ignore him?

Later that day, a slight movement caught my attention. I slowly raised my head to see the sparrows joyfully feeding at the birdfeeder. I again had to realize this world does not run on my clock or my scheduling.  There is no need for me to worry in the waiting, because God’s got it all under control.

Luke 12:7 says, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

God’s perfect timing is just that, perfect. His eye is on the sparrow…and I know He watches me.

Wishing you joy and peace,

Lorrie