Ethel and The Sparrow Song

Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (NIV)

All of us have times when we experience loneliness and friendlessness. These are not good feelings and can create the perception that we are worthless and unwanted. Often these emotions are based on untrue feelings, but sometimes the events of our lives really do put us in a position of rejection and loneliness.

As an African American born in 1896, Ethel Waters had every reason to feel alone and unwanted. Born to a 13-year old rape victim, Ethel spent most of her young life raising herself. Though her maternal grandmother had responsibility for her, she spent much of the time running wild in the slums of Philadelphia.

She didn’t have an extensive education, but she could sing and dance. In 1917 she made her first appearance on the vaudeville circuit where she experienced success. Yet there was something missing in her life. Three times she went through the pain of a failed marriage and never even had the blessing of a child to love her.

In 1957 she attended a Billy Graham Crusade where she found Someone who loved her enough to die for her. She accepted Christ’s payment for her sins, made Him her Savior, and spent the next years traveling with the Billy Graham team singing for a different kind of audience.

Her favorite song was “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” which she sang regularly. I imagine this song meant a lot to her as she considered her difficult life experiences. The comforting words are a reminder that if even a tiny sparrow is not forgotten by God, then we do not need to be afraid of His  overlooking us. In fact, our Lord is so attentive to His children that He has numbered the very hairs on our heads.

Regardless of our past experiences, whether they are devastating like Ethel Waters or just the  experience of feeling left out once in a while, we can be comforted in knowing that there is a great God who cares for us and loves us completely.

If you get a chance click the following link to listen to Ethel Waters sing her favorite song. It really encourages me when I feel down and left out. I hope it will encourage you, too.  Remember, if God’s eye is on the sparrow, then you know He is watching you.

Love,

Mama