It's Thankful Thursday!

I'm meeting the day with an attitude of gratitude! How about you?

In 1904 Civilla Martin went to visit the Doolittles of Elmyra, New York. Mr Doolittle was confined to a wheelchair and ran a successful business that supported he and his bed-ridden wife. Mrs Martin was amazed at the joyful spirit of this dynamic couple and asked if they ever got discouraged. The response from Mrs. Doolittle (who had been bedbound for 20 years) amazed her. “Mrs. Martin, how can I be discouraged when my heavenly Father watches over each little sparrow and I know He loves and cares for me.”

Matthew 10:29-31 came to mind, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father in heaven. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than sparrows”.

The Doolittles' attitude, joy and love in the midst of their circumstances inspired Mrs. Martin to write the hymn "His Eye is On The Sparrow." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Pk5YMkEcg&feature=related

......And I know He watches me. I hope you, too find inspiration from the Doolittles as you face your own condition today. May your day be blessed and you know His perfect rest as you take comfort in the fact that His eye is on the sparrow and indeed, He watches over you.

I've included the words below and would love to hear how He's working in your life. You can comment below. Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come?

Why should my heart be lonely and long for Heav’n and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

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;

Tho’ by the path He leadeth but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

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;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.