The Christian Scientist, daily learning to separate the chaff from the wheat, and ceaselessly awakening to a further understanding of growth, unfoldment, and fruition, is at times almost surprised at the valuable lessons that come through the most simple and childlike experiences.
One such lesson came to the writer on an early spring morning when it became obvious that a sparrow in looking for "an house ... for herself, where she may lay her young," as the Psalmist so sweetly expresses it, chose the recently put up awning, and was evidently very happy in what she believed was a suitable place. Knowing that, if left undisturbed and unwarned with regard to the error of her selection, at some future time, when patient labor had completed the nest and quiet waiting and tender care had been rewarded with a brood of nestlings, the legitimate and natural use of the awning might dash the little bird's precious hopes to the ground, causing much distress—knowing this, the observer decided to open the window and gently let down the awning. The result was that two agitated, fluffy little sparrows appeared on the opposite window ledge and twittered and talked together in a most excited fashion, evidencing fear, astonishment, distress, and resentment at what must have seemed to them harsh and unkind treatment.
After a moment's prayer for guidance and ability to comfort, theonlooker talked to these little feathered friends, telling them the reason for the action that had been taken, and reminding them of the Master's promise, "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God," and comforting them mentally with the assurance that there was the right, safe place ready for their need, and divine Love would direct them to it; for as our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 209), "Mind, supreme over all its formations and governing them all, is the central sun of its own systems of ideas, the life and light of all its own vast creation." The immediate result was that the excitement and distress ceased, and the birds talked quietly to each other. After preening their wings and straightening their ruffled feathers, they sat together enjoying the early morning sunshine and sweet fresh air, and later on, apparently quite contented, flew away.
