to the ground apart from the will of your Father. -- Matthew 10:29-31
The photographer who captured the following pictures sold them for a nominal fee to the most famous newspaper in France. All copies of that edition were sold out on the day these pictures were published (Unfortunately, I don't know the photographer's name, so I can't credit him).
The pictures are truly extraordinary, and tell the heartrending story of the love and sorrow felt by a little male sparrow for his mate. She was hit by a car as she swooped low across a road and was injured and died soon after.
He brought her food again, but was shocked to find her dead.
He tried to move her ... a rarely-seen effort for swallows!
Aware that his mate is dead and will never come back to him again, he cries out with sorrow.
He stood beside her, not understanding what happened. Finally, aware that she would never return to him, he stood beside her body and sang his mournful song.
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
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.
Lyrics by Civilla D. Martin, 1905
