Like a Sparrow

"Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest." Proverbs 26:2

I was searching tonight for the verse I was reminded of by a few small birds (pictured) tonight in my yard. They made me think of the promise God gives that we, as His children, are more precious than even a sparrow, and if He can keep track of even the sparrows, certainly then we are worth more to Him. Well, I found that verse (or several references in Matthew and Luke), but what caught my attention was the Proverb above, which seemed more fitting to the promise I'm holding on to dearly this year.

I didn't recall this Proverb, but as with many of the other Proverbs and Psalms I read, I continue to be in awe of the words written so long ago, which remain relevant today. In need of visuals to focus my faith on from time to time, I can imagine a bird, flying, hopping, flitting, branch to branch. Just when you think it's stopped long enough that you can fix your eye on it, or chart it's course, the bird flies off, out of sight. Just as with evil, the littlest noise or notice makes the bird uneasy or on alert, tempted to leave before it could be captured.

Now I can picture in my life, a curse aimed at me, but because of God's promise to bless me for doing what is right, what is loving, what is good in His name, that curse, like the jumpy bird, won't and can't stay with me. Like the darting swallow, this undeserved curse will not rest. Thank God! :)

The King and The Pawn

Being that La Donna Benedetta is Italian for The Blessed Woman, I searched for Italian Proverbs tonight. I came across this short quote, which I feel has many possible interpretations, both earthly and spiritually.

After the game, the King and the pawn go into the same box.

At first I read this and immediately thought of an earth-bound interpretation, thinking more literally along the lines of games and life, etc. But when I read it again, I saw it as more than just a literal "we're all equal" kind of sentiment.

Simply summed up this proverb supports a lot of what I've been learning spiritually lately: if we live under God's expectations, and use the blessings He gives us to our potential, we all go into the same "box," or heaven. No matter how important, known, or successful we see ourselves, if we meet His expectations for our lives we will all finish the game here on earth and go into heaven together.

Kings and pawns, rich and poor, healthy and weak, smart and simple: all are welcome in heaven's "box." My interpretation may only be relative to me, but as a lover of analogies and comparisons, this Italian proverb "hit home" with me tonight (sorry for the game pun!) LOL.

Many blessings!