Simply Beautiful
Join me, Amy Keck, each week as I weave the simple wisdom of Scripture with the beauty of poetry. May each reflection be a gentle reminder that faith blooms through time spent in God's word.
Simply Beautiful
God's Watchful Eye
Drawing from 1 Peter 5:6-7, we discover the profound invitation to give all our worries to God—not because He demands them, but because He genuinely cares about us. I share the story of a tiny zinc sparrow that sits in my coin purse, a daily reminder that stops me mid-transaction to remember God's watchful presence. This small token has transformed how I approach worry and reminds me to pause before running to others with my troubles instead of first bringing them to God.
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Thank you for spending this time with me. If this episode encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone who might be uplifted by the message - “like good news shared in due season” (Proverbs 15:23).
For more reflections and gentle encouragement, visit www.amykeck.com.
Welcome to Simply Beautiful Podcast. This is Amy Keck. Thank you for joining me today. The topic today is the caring nature of God. 1 Peter 5, 6-7 says God and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. A dear friend of mine gave me the tiniest, perfectly formed little zinc sparrow. It fits in my coin purse and it is one of my most cherished possessions. Every time I go to pay for something and open my wallet it's a gentle reminder that God's eyes are upon me and that he cares for me. It's a tender little nudge to stop all worry. You know we can give our worries and our cares to God, but how many of us do it? What's your first instinct when something tragic happens? Maybe it's not even tragic. Maybe you just stub your toe or get your schedule flip-flopped or can't find your favorite sunscreen at your store. Who do you run to? Who do you call first? Who do you text? Who are you most eager to share your dramatic story with?
Speaker 1:God gifted my childhood friend and college roommate with an amazing voice. She sang most of the Sunday specials at our church growing up and I always looked forward to her strong rendition of every song that she selected. One of my favorite songs that she would sing was written in 1905 by a lady named CD Martin. By a lady named CD Martin. It is entitled His Eye is on the Sparrow. The third stanza of the song says Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to him From care. He sets me free. His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me. I sing because I'm happy. I sing because I'm free. His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me. It's truly mind-blowing when you stop and consider that God watches over every single sparrow. He knows everything about his creation and he keeps his creation under his watchful eye. It's not just the birds, it's everything, everything that God has made. Matthew 6, 25 to 27 says that is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life, whether you have enough food and drink. Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life. God keeps a watchful eye upon you. You can go to Him with every concern and know for certain that you will never leave his care, because he cares for you. God cares deeply for all he has made. Not one thing or person escapes his constant and watchful eye. James McConkie tells of a beautiful winter day when he was on the veranda of a southern hotel enjoying the sunshine and sky. He says.
Speaker 1:Suddenly I became conscious of the swift flight of some small object before my eyes. Then came a dull thud, as if something falling there before my eyes. Not ten feet away lay the crumbled body of a sparrow, turned upon his back, his little claws stretched, appealing towards the sky. There was a convulsive shiver, as though in pain, and then the tiny eyelids closed over the death-dimmed eyes. A quick, short gasp and all was over.
Speaker 1:A telltale spot of crimson on the little breast gave the story of the tragedy. His swift flight through the air had evidently brought him into a death collision with a pole or a buttress, and his sparrow life had been the price. It was only a passing incident, this death of a tiny sparrow. Seemingly only I, sitting there alone, had noticed it. But like a flash, came to mind a wondrous text with its marvelous truth.
Speaker 1:Not a sparrow will fall to the ground outside your father's care. Matthew 10 29 are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your father's care. If God cares for the tiniest sparrows, does he not care for you? Think about it. What have you been keeping from your father, as if we can really keep anything from him? Is there a disappointment, a heartache, a deep-rooted pain that you have grown to believe that he does not care about? If so, repent, repent and ask him to replace that disbelief with the truth of his word. Remember the truth of 1 Peter 5, 6-7. The truth of 1 Peter 5, 6-7. Humble yourself under the mighty power of God and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
Speaker 1:Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Give Him your cares today. He longs to hear from you, he longs to take care of you, and you should love him. I'd like to leave you with my poem entitled Half a Penny. I hope it encourages you today. Today, if half a penny disappeared, would I even care? A sparrow falling to the ground never leaves his care Insignificant. We are not. We're always seen by him, greatly beloved and not forgot. Trust wells up within Father. Forgive me for the days I think meeting you insignificant compared with all I have to do.
