The Eye of the Sparrow

Note to reader: A number of years ago, I began writing what I hoped one day would be an illustrated children’s book—our children being my motivation. It was penciled out to be 26 chapters (letters, actually) entitled “If They Could Talk.” It was to cover redemptive history from creation (Genesis) to the return of Christ (Revelation) from the perspective of animals reflecting and commenting as eye witnesses at key redemptive moments. With a little over half of them finished years ago and our children grown; the plan is to complete the project. We will see. I would like to begin releasing others; call it accountability for me as I attempt to finish something started long ago. Other eye-witness accounts are here. Chapter 1 follows; it is the story of man’s creation from Genesis 1 and 2.

My friends,

It is not possible to put to paper what I tell you now; for what I saw is much too heavy for words. I will do my best.

The day began like every day since; a fresh sense of awakening and a yellow sun rising in the East. But for me and my feathered friends, this day we would not forget.

You see, it was our first morning—ever. For yesterday we were created!

Call me a silly bird, but ’tis true; the first pages of your Holy Scriptures attest to what I say. I write not to tell you of my own creation; rather, I write to tell you what I saw the day after—what I saw my first morn.

He is a painter, this God. In a flash and in a flurry yet still deliberate and with control, He began. He thought, and He created. He breathed, and He created. He moved and He created. There was a rush of activity yet nothing hurried.

Bone and teeth, fur and tail, hoof and claw; an array of animals began to appear. Big animals and little ones, fat ones and skinny ones; an assortment of all kinds spilled over the land. There was color, there was excitement; there were barks and growls, there were grunts and roars—I cannot tell you all that was before me.

I took to the sky to improve my view. Do remember reader, this was only my second day in the air. After a scrape with a sycamore and a collision with a gull; I found myself a view. And what I saw, I could scarce take in. My efforts were rewarded with an unobstructed view of God’s newest creations.

These land animals, they were beautiful, and from somewhere I heard the Creator declare, “This is good.” And no one could disagree.

I thought His task complete. He wasn’t. He saved His best for last.

Stooping down, He scooped from the ground. Dust sifting, resolute and with passion; He breathed deeply into the clinched earth.

All the animals became quiet; we had to watch—what was He doing?

Man was created; later the woman. They were beautiful. And I wept; my animal friends did, too.

You see, you are different you humans. Beautiful in creation we animals are, but you were made in His image—in you is His breath. No other of His creation this is so. And the way He looked at you, and the way He breathed in you, and the way He held you; what I would give to be you!

It is special what you have with this God. What are His plans for you? I wonder.

I wait with you to see His plan unfold.