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“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.” Luke 12:6-7 (NIV)
On a hot day, a baby cardinal flew out of its nest into my garage and cried for help. The mother and father tried to coax their baby out of the garage. They flew in and out and even put worms at the entrance to urge their young one to fly down and out. But the baby cardinal cried and remained trapped. In the heat of the day, it could not last long. Our family felt great compassion as we watched with strained patience to let a natural process take place. Finally, with granddaughter’s butterfly net, we intervened and captured the bird for a safe release.
In a similar way, Darrin flew out of the nest of his parents and became trapped in wild living. Those who loved him tried to help him, but he chose not to see their guidance and remained trapped in his lifestyle. In drunkenness, he carelessly caused a traffic accident which resulted in the death of an innocent victim. Like the captured bird in our garage, the Lord allowed the police to capture Darrin and imprison him without physical harm. His ten-year prison term became a saving net because now he had time to understand how his loving Lord and family had tried to help him. In prison, God’s Word refreshed his faith in Jesus’ death upon the cross, and Darrin became renewed in Jesus’ love and peace. Jesus’ strength and guidance became a necessary part of his life. With God’s forgiveness, Darrin now stood up to his past mistakes and moved forward in his Christian living. Upon his release from prison, Darrin continued to seek out God in his church, looking to him for guidance.
We thank God for this catch and release of another precious soul with His renewed love and guidance! The next time we watch a bird taking care of its young; remember how God works with saving compassion and power to care for us. Even in times of trouble, God never forgets because Jesus has made us worth more than many sparrows.
Chaplain Ken Wenzel
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On the 15th of October, the Lord Jesus welcomed Ken into his heavenly home. We offer God our thanks and praise for Ken’s 25 years of faithful service to this ministry. “Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21 EHV).