Where does the Encourager Go to Get Encouraged?
Do you know people who are always a joy to be around and when you leave their presence, you feel encouraged? I do and they are a blessing. We need more of them in our lives.
I believe that we can all be encouragers and should be, but there are times when even the most upbeat and positive person can get discouraged and weighed down by the cares of life. I thought the other day, when faced with several situations that seem gloomy, "Where does the encourager go to get encouraged?" It didn't take long for that little voice in my head to say, "Where do you think!?" They go to the Encourager of All Encouragers; God our Heavenly Father! They go to the Word that will uplift and strengthen. They go to their knees in prayer and communication with the Father. They sing songs of praise and love to the One who holds it all in His hands. That's where they go!
When I begin praising God, the clouds seem to lift and the warmth of His love always wraps me in the sense that He is in control and I'M NOT! Therefore . . .
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.
"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though 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.
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.
- Words by Civilla D. Martin, 1905
- Music Charles H. Gabriel, 1905
Civilla Martin wrote:
"Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." 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."
The next day she mailed the poem to Charles Gabriel, who supplied the music.
Singer Ethel Waters so loved this song that she used its name as the title for her autobiography.
And I will add what my mom always says, "His eye is on the Sparrows and He watches us birds too!"
Love,
Beth
I believe that we can all be encouragers and should be, but there are times when even the most upbeat and positive person can get discouraged and weighed down by the cares of life. I thought the other day, when faced with several situations that seem gloomy, "Where does the encourager go to get encouraged?" It didn't take long for that little voice in my head to say, "Where do you think!?" They go to the Encourager of All Encouragers; God our Heavenly Father! They go to the Word that will uplift and strengthen. They go to their knees in prayer and communication with the Father. They sing songs of praise and love to the One who holds it all in His hands. That's where they go!
When I begin praising God, the clouds seem to lift and the warmth of His love always wraps me in the sense that He is in control and I'M NOT! Therefore . . .
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.
"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though 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.
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.
- Words by Civilla D. Martin, 1905
- Music Charles H. Gabriel, 1905
Civilla Martin wrote:
"Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." 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."
The next day she mailed the poem to Charles Gabriel, who supplied the music.
Singer Ethel Waters so loved this song that she used its name as the title for her autobiography.
And I will add what my mom always says, "His eye is on the Sparrows and He watches us birds too!"
Love,
Beth
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