The Miracle Sparrow
Matthew 10:29-31 reads as follows: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
That little bird that is so abundant throughout the world is considered to be a nuisance by my people: builds nests where he isn’t wanted, makes a mess on a shiny new car or expensive farm implement, and is considered worthless by the general public.
In the year 1969, my wife, Cathy had been to the Logansport hospital for surgery, and had just been to Fort Wayne for special chemotherapy treatments. The report was heartbreaking: she was pronounced terminally ill with colon cancer. The one source of happiness for our 12-year daughter Donna Kay as well as Cathy and I was that she could return home.
One evening, we had chosen for devotions the scriptures listed above. We marveled that our very busy God would know when a lowly, insignificant sparrow would fall to the ground. Yet that is what the Scripture said, and it was to be interpreted as such. It was a true test of faith. We felt very humble, but we were greatly inspired by the thirty-first verse that said, “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Cathy and I both were lifted up by those words.
I was working at Grissom Air Force Base at that time. The very next day, at work, I was rolling a 55-gallon drum across a 300-foot long concrete apron. The drum was full and heavy, and after rolling it approximately 50 feet, I had stopped to catch my breath. At that instant, a pretty sparrow landed on the barrel. He tilted his head upward and looked straight up at me. From surprise, even amazement, I reached down and grasped him in one hand. I said, “Hey, little fellow, what are you doing down here? You better get going.” In one easy motion, I tossed him into the air. He took flight from a height of about 15 feet and flew to the grassy area, about 25 feet away. There he landed, sat for approximately one minute, and fell over dead.
It was not until that instant that I remembered the scripture of the previous evening: “One of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” I was overwhelmed with emotion to realize that God had actually carried out for us what we had marveled at on the previous evening! He had assured us that He was with us!
Naturally, I related the incident to Cathy that evening. She didn’t say a word, but just smiled and squeezed my hand! She knew and was ready, if it was God’s will, to take the step of her journey. This was true despite her wanting to raise Donna Kay, and despite the fact that she was happy at home.
Approximately three weeks later, she was awarded her Heavenly reward.
About the Author
Harry Dishon is a retired veteran living in Howard County. He and his wife Joan recently recorded some of Harry’s recollections as a child and as a soldier, and we are honored to be able to share these memories with you. Periodically, we will post selections from Harry’s writings on our Military Appreciation page, so please come back and share some of Harry’s insights and memories.