His Eye Is On the Sparrow
by Brian Tada
Title
His Eye Is On the Sparrow
Artist
Brian Tada
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photo
Description
A house sparrow (Passer domesticus) pauses to look at the camera while with a flock in a parking lot in Vacaville, California. Its diminutive size is accentuated by a pair of fallen pine needles.
This common bird is native to Europe, the Mediterranean and Asia, and has been introduced to North and South America, Africa and Australia, making it the most widely distributed bird in the world.
I originally titled this image, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" because it reminds me of the beloved hymn by this same name, and the Words of my Messiah from the book of Matthew::
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them shall fall to the ground apart from your Father's consent. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31, Tree of Life Bible
According to Wikipedia, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was written in 1905 from a poem by Civilla D. Martin and set to music by Charles H. Gabriel. Civilla Martin recalled the time she and her husband visited their close friends, Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, both of whom were battling severe health challenges. One day, Civilla's husband remarked how cheerful their outlook on life was in spite of their difficulties and asked about the secret to their happiness. Mrs. Doolittle replied, "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." This simple yet heart-felt expression of gratitude and faith in God so moved Civilla and her husband that she wrote, "The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn 'His Eye Is on the Sparrow' was the outcome of that experience."
Throughout the years, this beloved hymn has been recorded by both Christian and secular artists.
The song is most notably associated with actress-singer Ethel Waters, who featured the title for her autobiography.
Here are the words to the first verse and refrain to "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" that have inspired and comforted millions of people::
"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;
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."
(Source: Wikisource. Words by Civilla D. Martin, music by Charles H. Gabriel. Hymn is in the public domain, published in 1905.)
*****
Grateful to God and thankful to the administrators for featuring this image on the home pages of the following Fine Art America groups::
* SMALL BIRDS OF THE WORLD, 06.21.15
* A BIRDING GROUP ~ WINGS, 07.18.15
* FAA PORTRAITS - BIRDS, 07.18.15
* THE AWWW SO CUTE FACTOR, 07.24.15
* BIRD WATCHERS, 10.22.1
*****
Artwork note:
While editing my photo, the software created a heart shape in the background, which I've retained as a reminder of God's love reflected in His creation.
Photo copyright © 2014, 2015 Brian Tada. All rights reserved. To the glory of God. This photograph may not be photographed, copied, altered, downloaded or distributed without express written permission of the artist.
Uploaded
February 10th, 2015
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Viewed 5,508 Times - Last Visitor from Beverly Hills, CA on 03/29/2024 at 10:12 AM
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Comments (43)
Morris Finkelstein
Beautiful close up photo of sparrow with great pose and eye contact, perspective, and composition, Brian! F/L
Kathryn Jones
A beautiful image of this lovely little bird! Our Heavenly Father is aware of everything that is happening throughout His Creation, so that a sparrow cannot fall off a wall without Him noticing. Jesus said that we are worth "many sparrows", so how much more does He care for us, His children? Nevertheless, the sparrow is the workmanship of His Hands and as such should be treated with respect. Other living creatures are not just there to provide us with food. As shown in the Book of Revelation, they will exist in the afterlife, when the lion will lie down with the lamb and eat straw like the ass. Noah and his sons must have had a very challenging task in keeping the animals alive upon the waters! I was watching a video yesterday about the world during the first lockdown and was impressed by how eerie everything was There are many wicked people in the world, but still many good people, so perhaps the present pandemic has been given to the world as a lesser chastening. I shudder to think how wicked people had become in Noah's day, if only eight people were found worthy to enter the Ark!
Brian Tada replied:
Kathryn, it is truly remarkable how much evil there is in the world. I thank God for the gift of His precious Son, Yeshua Jesus, Who gives eternal life to all who would ask God to forgive them of their sins and receive Jesus into their hearts. God bless you.
Petra Theodoridou
Touching and very beautiful capture, Brian!!! So very special and nicely composed!LF
Veronica Minozzi
Beautiful and adorable! L
Brian Tada replied:
Hi Veronica, thank you so much for your lovely comment, greatly appreciate it! Thank you for your "like" on this image, am honored and grateful! God bless you,have a wonderful day/week!