Amelia the sparrow

Amelia was a little sparrow who lived in a big and beautiful tree right outside of a beautiful but old, country home. She was a friendly sparrow, always talking to those who passed her way. The Master of the home was her dearest friend. Every morning and every evening, He would sit on the porch with His hands wide open, full of grain for her to eat. She would happily sit in His hands, eating the grain, talking to him. And how they talked! They talked about everything.They would talked late into the night and when she would fall asleep in His hands, He would gently place her back into her nest. He was an amazing man and she loved him deeply.

Amelia was friends with another sparrow named Sam who lived in the nest next to hers. Like the Master, he too, was her closest friend. Every day they played together and sang together. One day Sam did not return home as usual. At first she thought he was just late, gathering bugs and all that sparrows do. But in the morning when he still was not there, she began to worry. She flew over to the Master of the home and told Him her worries. When she was done, He gently picked her up and looked into her eyes. "Amelia, do you trust me?", He asked. "With all my heart", she replied. "Continue to trust me. I will find him, I promise." So she flew back to her nest and waited. A couple of days passed, and Sam still had not returned. Every night the Master of the home returned and Amelia would fly over and sit in His hands and eat. When she asked if He had found Sam, He always gave the same reply; "Trust me," He said, "I will find him." Days dragged into weeks, and weeks into months. Still Sam did not return. Amelia was beside herself. She trusted the Master. If anyone could find Sam, it was He. But she did not think it would take this long. Why was it taking so long? Where was Sam?

One day Amelia decided she had had enough. When the Master returned, she greeted Him as she always did, but instead of landing into His open hands, she perched herself on the tree right outside of the window. "Amelia," He said. "Why will you not come and eat from my hand as you always do?" "I am tired", she replied. "I am tired of waiting, I am tired of trusting, of hoping, that you will find Sam. He has been gone much too long, and You still have not found him. I just want some space and some rest and I simply do not feel like eating from your hand today." The Master looked at her gently. "Space from me is a dangerous thing, Amelia. And not eating what I provide for you will make you weak. Only in my hand will you be able to rest. My hands comfort, heal, provide, and protect. Do not forget that it was I who planted the tree so that you might live in it. It was I who planted and harvested this grain so that you might eat it. It is I who gently places you into your nest every night. Trust me, Amelia. Trust me." Amelia looked at the Master with sad eyes, but flew over into His hands and slowly ate the grain. As she did, she began to cry, but with each tear she felt strength return to her. Then the Master did something He had not done before - He sang to her. His song was the most beautiful song she had ever heard. And though she did not know the song, somehow her heart opened and the words poured in. Soon she was happily singing with Him, and they sang late into the night.

The next morning she watched the Master of the house leave. As He passed her nest they looked at each other. At that moment she knew that He was capable of everything and anything. If anyone could find Sam, it was He, so she would wait and trust. And wait and trust she continued to do, safely and gently in His hands.